total bitch

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I live in a military town so I often get asked if we give military discounts. Unfortuantely we don't, since we are starting to open stores on bases now. However, there is no store on the base in our town but we still aren't allowed to do military discounts. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

However usually when I explain that we don't offer it, everyone understands and doesn't bitch. I have the utmost respect for people in uniform but I don't believe you deserve everything on a silver platter simply because you fought for our freedom.

[cinema guy]

Oh, right. I always forget it's 21 in the US (and I believe also in the UK?)...

18 in the UK. But you can join the military at 16.

Can get married at 16 too.

[Jack Doe]

"Smith, if you don't get your ASS in shape and start ACTING like a goddamned SOLDIER, I am going to have you busted so low on the totem that you'll be saluting enlisted assholes in BOOT CAMP! You got me, Smith? I don't want to hear one goddamn word about you bothering this civilian ever again, or I'll be so far up your ass you'll think you're shitting Sergeant every morning! Do you underSTAND me? GOOD! Dis.....MISSED!" (My civilian non-military impression of what might happen, based purely on Hollywood and stories I've heard from military folks.)

Actually, that would be the long and the short of it. Wouldn't have been so repetitive, would have dropped the f-bomb more. But that's just a matter of style. Some guys still go to FM 22-102 and follow the steps for wall-to-wall counseling.

[Samaliel]

Oh, right. I always forget it's 21 in the US (and I believe also in the UK?)...

[KiaKat]

Yup. Enlistment age in the US is basically as long as you start basic (or acadamy if you're going the officer route) on or after your 18th, you're good. Drinking age is 21. Anything more on the topic is, well, Fratching-worthy, so I'll leave it at the facts.

Thread-drift strikes again!

[Samaliel]

(like serving them alcohol even if they are underaged, just because they served in the military)

You can serve in the military and not be old enough to drink alcohol? I didn't even know that was a possibility. After a bit of research, it appears that, around here, you can enlist as soon as you're 17 and a half.

[Jester]

I don't know what happened to her.

I do!

...one letter to her superior and the problem got instantly solved.

THAT would pretty much do it! "Smith, if you don't get your ASS in shape and start ACTING like a goddamned SOLDIER, I am going to have you busted so low on the totem that you'll be saluting enlisted assholes in BOOT CAMP! You got me, Smith? I don't want to hear one goddamn word about you bothering this civilian ever again, or I'll be so far up your ass you'll think you're shitting Sergeant every morning! Do you underSTAND me? GOOD! Dis.....MISSED!" (My civilian non-military impression of what might happen, based purely on Hollywood and stories I've heard from military folks.)

See, a lot of officers in the military do NOT like anyone under their command making the uniform or the branch in question look bad, and so when such things do happen, they call the person below them on the carpet and chew them a new one so badly that their mother feels it.

I live in a Navy town, and know a lot of Navy (and Coast Guard) folks, and know that a lot of the commanders would NOT put up with a lot of the shit that some people try to pull. Hell, a lot of grunts would rather have to deal with the civilian police than ever have their CO find out they were being bad.

Any Vet I've ever met has NEVER asked for special treatment.

Any group has assholes, including the military. I have met military people who have asked for and/or demanded special treatment due to their status, including things that violated the law (like serving them alcohol even if they are underaged, just because they served in the military). That being said, most of the military people I know or have met are NOT like this.

[Phantomgrift]

I'll occasionally ask if a place has a military discount, but that's only if I'm there in person and can show my ID. And if they don't have one? Ah well, never hurts to ask.

Granted, if I get one here in Virgina Beach, I'm actually a bit surprised because this is a military town and a lot of places gave up on discounts years ago.

[SteveZim1017]

My fiancé spent 15 months in Iraq after serving a 12 month tour in Afghanistan. I am very proud of him, but I would never try to use his service to get a discount. What an EW.

Any Vet I've ever met has NEVER asked for special treatment. In fact, the few I know that have heard of others using their service to get extras got really really pissed off at the idea.

[calulu]

Or even better: "Ma'am, you do realize that this is a reflection on him as a X (soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine), and that his Y (1Sgt or CPO) would likely be very concerned that his wife is browbeating a civilian to get a discount , and if contacted your husband may very well be called to account for your behavior?"

ooooh! that's a good one! When the hubby was in the military that was absolutely true, you misbehave on base and your husband might actually be called on the carpet to deal with said behavior. Good threat.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Yeah, I've been led to understand that the army doesn't care much for misbehavior. And enlisted chick was stalking one of the guys in my band years ago and after all the crap he went through to get rid of her, one letter to her superior and the problem got instantly solved.

I don't know what happened to her. I just know she was no longer a problem.

[Jack Doe]

Perfect!

Or: Okay, since your husband served, he can have the discount....

Or: "Ok, ma'am, your husband would have to submit the request for discount in writing, forwarded in triplicate, and attached must be a copy of his CAC, transit orders, and leave orders. These items will then be authenticated through his CC, and then you will be scheduled for a two day stay at reduced rate."

Or even better: "Ma'am, you do realize that this is a reflection on him as a X (soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine), and that his Y (1Sgt or CPO) would likely be very concerned that his wife is browbeating a civilian to get a discount , and if contacted your husband may very well be called to account for your behavior?"

[Fire_on_High]

Anyone who knows anything about the military knows that above all else, rules are rules. Sensible or stupid, that's all there is to it. Wonder if hubby dearest knew she was acting like an entitlement whore?

[tropicsgoddess]

I'll throw a curve ball here....

How much you wanna bet that she's just full of shit and just trolling for a discount because she's a stupid tightwad???

Pfft, no need to bet on that. You can smell the bullshit from a mile away from that SC's claim. Every time SC's give some claim like that and can't get their way they always throw in some tantrum of sorts.

[Lachrymose]

or maybe I should have told her if she doesnt like our policies, she has the freedom to take her business elsewhere

Perfect!

Or: Okay, since your husband served, he can have the discount. But not you! (and then you charge an asshole tax for her part, which evens out)