I had an American ask me if he could get a military discount.
In Canada.
I love people getting upset when someone says fuck the troops 🥰
make sure you mean metaphorically
As a military veteran, this makes me a little sad… but the whole military discount thing has always made me feel weird. I mean, I’m no hero. I spent 20 years sitting at a desk, fixing computers. Why should I deserve a discount over any other office worker?
I currently live in an area far away from any military bases, so I’ve mostly stopped asking about military/veteran discounts. Most people here aren’t used to military being around this area anyway so there’s rarely a discount to offer. And I don’t really care if I get a discount or not; it doesn’t hurt me to pay full price.
But I’ve definitely worked with service members who would boycott businesses near our bases if they refused to provide a military discount. Some people get really entitled about their status. Those were the worst people I had to deal with in the service.
But I’ve definitely worked with service members who would boycott businesses near our bases if they refused to provide a military discount.
that seems like a plus
Seems like if you run a business near a military base then you would just set your prices X% higher than you really want to set them, and then offer an X% discount to all the people who shop there, knowing that everyone will wind up paying what you originally wanted to charge anyway
I worked at a popular restaurant near a major VA hospital, and this is how I explained why we only had a military discount for active duty, not veterans. Surprisingly, it seemed like a satisfactory explanation more often than not.
I know you got paid to be there, but still. A country without a military, even in times of “peace”, is a scary thing. Especially given the direction the world is heading these days… sure you sat behind a desk but who knows what you may have been needed to do if called upon in a worst case scenario, and so for that I say thank you for your service 🙏
“Thank you for your service” cringe apart, you are right, militaries are paid for the inherit risk their profession carries, even if unlikely.
Also, on a little more distopian way, if incentivized, people are more likely to enroll in your military. And I’m guessing these discounts are on the shops, so it’s free benefit from the state.
lol
Reading this made me cringe.
The Facebook moms found us — who’s making the next link aggregator?
👅💦🥾✨
Fuck military discounts.
Y’know, I understand where you’re coming from, but my dad did his time in the military, including a stint in Vietnam. He’s 81 now, and I don’t see the harm in giving him a little bit off of a bill for his service. He’s not obnoxious about it, but will sometimes ask, and take it if it’s available. If not, no big deal.
This has more to do with propaganda. Where are the discounts for all other contributors to our functional society? Do the garbage people or the electrical worker or sewer worker get discounts?
Its all part of a much larger scale propaganda across our countries history.
You get pissed at senior discounts too?
😂
A lot of seniors are just assholes but not part of a murder industry. Lots of military worship straight up feeds into fascism and nationalism. Fuck that.
A ton of them later become cops too.
So you guarded a pointless fucking parking lot at a base in New Mexico, whoopdeedoo, you’re a vet for life and everyone will bend over for you. But the teachers at our nearby school just keep getting fucked over? All the government workers who ensure our basic infrastructure works don’t matter?
It’s all tilted for a reason. Fuck that reason.
I really don’t get why a senior ex-military has better benefits than a normal senior. One is a benefit everyone applies and another is a benefit that a specific subset applies, and it’s not like they do things that are more important than those that work everyday in the country to keep it running.
A kid spends 5 years in military, lifetime discounts. A teacher spends 5 years teaching, lifetime debt. I really don’t get the point.
I was highlighting the fallacy in your argument, but that was clearly a waste of time.
You obviously don’t know the history of veterans in the U.S. or what brought this type of culture to the U.S.
You probably see the military as an extension of a government you hate (understandable) and think of its members as fully endorsing said government (not correct at all).
That you get butthurt over a discount says a lot about you though.
If it’s due to history of mistreatment and lack of care, then by that logic we should give all minorities a discount as well.
But here’s the thing. Today’s soldier ain’t even CLOSE to dealing with what Vietnam vets or older vets dealt with.
Today’s wannabe Punisher is just a likely wife beater loser who had no direction in life, served a few years, became even more bro, and then went to a policing agency afterwards where he could flex his control fetish over the general populace. That motherfucker that needlessly makes every interaction more intense than necessary needs a blanket of worship for simply having signed up to serve in a military that basically takes anyone? How special.
Our garbage collectors do more difficult and thankless work today than most military. Tending to the Officers golf courses doesn’t warrant shit.
I’m not the same person of the original comment. For you to personally insult me while not bothering to read the name of the user says a lot about you too though.
I hope you have a great day.
Edit: Also, nowhere in my comment did I mention that I hated the US government or the military because it’s completely besides the point, I said that I didn’t understand why a subset of people that contribute as much as others are supposed to get get special privileges. I’m not even from the US, it’s not a thing where I’m from. You sure assumed a lot about me.
You think that’s an insult?
I’m commenting on a behavior, not a person.
Doesn’t matter if are not OP, your sentiment is clearly the same and my comment still stands.
Your comment, however, screams that you are faux offended, so you can feel like you are on the high road.
Edit: No place I know l let’s you have a vet AND a senior discount. It’s one or the other
I see student discounts a lot. What has a student done that an electrician hasn’t, so that the student deserves a discount but not the electrician?
The right answer: Who gives a shit?
It’s a STUPID FUCKING argument that just highlights a really fucking petty person.
Now if a person acts entitled to a discount, then that is an entirely different story.
Tell me why your father should be rewarded for when they performed the most horrible actions on other humans that anyone can think of?
If anything, they should pay more, and the money should go to all the families they have destroyed.
I thought it was a joke, but people really are butthurt about vets.
History just loves to repeat itself.
He should ask just like all Veterans. No big deal if they do not offer discount but nice when they do. It is just a small gesture of support.
People think Military/Service members are bootlickers on Reddit and here I guess. Reality is people join for various reasons a big reason is to support family. The government owns you during that time. You miss celebrations with family like; birthdays, holidays, marriages, and funerals. I know someone will say “well they volunteered.” That is right they did and you didn’t have to volunteer.
This meme is pretty bad to be real. People out here risking/giving their life for you. Man humanity is sliding into the abyss everyday.
My problem with the whole thing is well expressed by Bojack Horseman.
An IT technician who spends their entire career in air-conditioned offices in their home country but happens to be employed by the army is worthy of adoration, special treatment and prioritisation, but obviously a nurse saving lives on a daily basis and facing routine abuse from violent drunks and psychotic nutcases can fuck right off because they work at a privately-owned hospital.
Drawing a circle around the armed forces saying “these people are deserving of unquestionable praise and arbitrary benefits” is the same as saying “no-one else is” and it’s insulting to the intelligence of everyone involved.
At a certain point people just make excuses. First responders receive more discounts than Veterans. Because they are on the front lines everyday. I support that idea.
You are missing a lot of the sacrifices that Veterans make with a generalization. Required to move every 2-4 years. Deploy to various countries for unknown amount of time with less than 24hrs sometimes. Not being able to communicate with loved ones on a regular basis. Not coming back home with all your body parts or your battle buddy. But hey maybe there is a IT person sitting in a AC room in US. So screw all Veterans makes sense I guess?
Idea for any leftist bakeries out there: charge military members even more, veterans even more still. Refuse to make them cake! Make a big deal about it. Enjoy your free national media attention. Send me a little cut.
A little cut, as in a slice of cake?
My Dad died five years ago, and my mom will still spend 15 minutes haggling over his 10% military discount at Lowe’s over $20 worth of plants. She doesn’t do it anywhere else, just Lowe’s.
JFC, Mom, here’s two bucks, let’s move on.
you should warn her that could be considered a stolen valor crime.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act_of_2013
if someone wanted to report her she could face jail time and tarnishing your fathers military legacy.
“you will address me by my deceased husband’s rank”
The idea that I should care about a corporate losing money is laughable to me. I’ll give anyone a discount when allowed by the company without hesitation.
Oh, I’m all in for spending company money. But I’d rather not incentivize murderers.
I’m not from the U.S., but why would people from the military get a discount? If you do that as a store, why not doctors and nurses too? Why stop there and why not include firefighters, government workers or teachers?
And who compensates you as a business owner for these giveaways? If your store happens to be close to an army base, do you just accept the disadvantage of giving away part of your profit?
It sounds pretty stupid. People should get paid enough to pay full price for their stuff. Especially by the government. Especially in a country that allocates an enormous part of their GDP to their military.
It sounds pretty stupid.
America in a nutshell
Maybe I’m weird, but I guess I don’t care about military discounts. I probably just don’t have much experience with veterans. But like we give senior citizens discounts some places, because it’s expected they don’t have much money. And there’s lots of old folks who need it. Haven’t military folks traditionally had a hard time reintegrating? Like isn’t that the plot of “the forever war”? If it helps the ones who need it then good. Helping people in need is a good thing. I’m probably missing something so let me know what it is.
Why would they get a discount for choosing a job that involves them attacking other countries?
There are two ways to look at it, as I understand:
-
Many (certainly not all) vets have a chip on their shoulder and expect white glove treatment. Kind of like a less whiny Karen.
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Many are of the belief that we should not reward people for aiding the government in its atrocities.
I think the meme is an exaggeration of those positions.
-
That’s not what a military discount is or does. It’s for active duty only, or full time retired, meaning you need an active and valid military ID on your person that matches YOU. Not your wife, not your friend Larry, not your brother Darrell, not your OTHER brother Darrell, YOU. It’s one of the things that makes life harder for people who leave the military. And while your in it, it does you little good.
I know this because I’ve managed stores with military discounts. The only thing worse than having to say ‘‘we don’t do that’’ is ‘‘Yes we do’’ Because the reality is that unless your talking to an old guy in a military insignia cap, or a surprisingly young enlisted person in uniform or military sweats, they aren’t getting the ID. You got your shins blown off in Vietnam? Well fuck you, the discount is for active enlisted and CAREER officers. No one the fuck else. Guess how many dessert storm, Vietnam, Iraq, Korean War, or WWII vets like hearing that shit explained to them. They are LIVID. They want ass pats and bjs they don’t want to hear they can’t save $0.07 on a pile of lumber because they didn’t make being drafted a career just got PTSD and forever shrapnel. I LOVE telling people no discount for anyone. It’s fantastic.
Ah I get it now, yup that is shitty. I have some compassion for someone who was stupid enough as a kid to enlist. But only for active members? Love how in America we all get fucked over, unless you win the wealth lottery.
Yeah and while your in, you don’t have the free time or money to use a military discount for anything significant.
I’m so glad I gave all of my 20s to get shot at on the other side of the world in a desert, and now live with crippling PTSD, anxiety, and gastrointestinal disorders. But really, it’s all worthwhile because I get 10% off at the Gap.
But…why? I never faulted people asking for any sort of discount when I worked retail. Why blame them for simply asking if there was a way to get something cheaper? I couldn’t give a fuck if corporate was making less money while my fellow citizen saved some cash.
A lot of them just assume that everywhere bends over backwards for them. It’s incredibly obnoxious. Source: was a bartender for a decade
Source: was a bartender for a decade
Thank you for your service 🫡
Wait, people asked for a vet discount… at a bar?
I can see a restaurant, but a bar!?
Oh heavens yes, some people have no shame
Based on the stories I have read some people are quite rude about asking for it.
Being able to deny rude people their request is a power play that customer service people can enjoy using.
Certain! I’ll be honest. We’d start putting way less shame on not knowing and encouraging asking.
When I worked in a commissioned sales job (read: professional capitalist thief) a coworker told me how he loved to have hot chicks as customers and he would always give them a discount.
I was like man “these girls get everything for free and discounts everywhere they go. Ipso facto they have more money to spend. Stop giving them discounts. Charge them more “
The weird thing ; they respected him for it.
Not sure where I’m going with this.
Serious question - in places where they offer military or veteran discount how do you check? Do you ask them to show some relevant id?
My partner shows a VA card when asked.
Did your partner eat Iraqi children or Afghan children? Which one tasted his favorite?
Oh look, a coward.
If you read through my post history you would likely edit “coward” to something else more fitting…
You literally have no posts which makes you what exactly?
Comment history*
Apologies, I often forget I’m an extremely poor communicator in a community filled with intelligent neurodivergent people, and I need to contextualize better.
Which makes me an idiot. Not a coward. - to answer your question
I mean I scrolled thru your comments too but there was nothing that stood out to me. I don’t know how your comment history is supposed to show you are an idiot but I’m willing to take your word for it
I don’t see how this is helpful. I guess you’re trying to remove incentives for joining the military? But really you’re just punishing veterans with PTSD. Keep in mind the military, at least in America, recruits what are effectively kids and then makes it a crime to disobey orders or quit. I’m not saying soldiers aren’t responsible for their actions, but also that kinda feels like punishing the working class for the crimes of the ruling class.
None of this entitles them to a discount.
But really you’re just punishing veterans with PTSD
Failing to give special treatment to someone is not punishing them. Especially when we’re talking about special treatment for an entire category of people, most of whom don’t have PTSD (estimates range from 6-27% of those deployed to a war zone, and not all veterans served in a war zone), many of whom are financially well off.
Maybe the VA and the federal government should do more for vets. Maybe the military itself should take care of the troops a bit better. But asking private businesses to prop up veterans at their own expense seems like a misguided approach.
I think you could make the same argument for other things. Why do you tip servers in America? Aren’t you just propping up a system that screws them over? Why are you forgiving student loans? Aren’t you just propping up a system that put them into debt in the first place?
I’m also mostly speaking from my first hand experience with a vet with PTSD. But it’s very possible that experience isn’t representative of your average vet. But I’m trying to approach the situation with empathy for those fucked over by the government.
I think you could make the same argument for other things. Why do you tip servers in America? Aren’t you just propping up a system that screws them over? Why are you forgiving student loans? Aren’t you just propping up a system that put them into debt in the first place?
Yes! Yes! YES!
Obviously the answer is to change the system.
100% I agree the system needs to change. But what I asking is do you immediately remove the badaids on the current system? Or do you leave those bandaids in place until the current system is changed?
Edit: genuinely I don’t see how downvoting me without providing an alternative solution is helpful. If you think you understand how we fix the underlying system, I want to know the answer. All I’m asking is how do we fix the system without hurting working class people in the process (e.g. denying restaurant wait staff the tips they rely on to pay rent).
Why are you forgiving student loans?
That’s the federal government’s administration of a federal government program, so no, that’s not the same at all.
Why do you tip servers in America?
That’s the basic deal. If a restaurant implements a no tipping policy, they’re allowed to do that. I don’t see how that’s the same or different from a restaurant implementing a “discount for veterans” or “no discounts for veterans” policy. It sounds like we’re in favor of a system where the restaurant chooses what they want to be about, whether it’s a tip-based system or not, or a discounts for vets place or not.
So in a sense, it sounds like you agree with me that we should let the restaurants choose. Neither choice is a “punishment” of anyone.
I agree that the underlying system needs to be changed. But what I’m saying is you have a system that is not ideal, and you have bandaids on that system. For example, it’s very not ideal that restaurant servers depends on tips for a living. However, if you stop tipping without requiring restaurants to pay servers a living wage, aren’t you screwing over the server, not the restaurant? Or do you leave those bandaids in place while you try and fundamentally change the underlying system?
I’m asking. I don’t know the history of how systems like this have been changed in the past. But the examples I gave, in my mind, are all systems in US that are broken and have bandaid solutions. It’s not ideal that we offer better services to vets with PTSD, it’s not ideal that restaurant wait staff requires tips to pay rent, and it’s not ideal that student loans are required to pay for an education.
