First of all, I didn't know Veteran Only parking was a thing in the USA. Since when?
Don't think I've seen a Veteran Only parking bay anywhere here in England.

Just wow though..

Linky:
http://news.sky.com/story/1712432/female-veteran-gets-angry-note-over-parking-space

Story:

A female US Navy veteran has hit out at a stranger who left a "misogynistic" note on her car that criticised her for parking in a veterans-only space.

Rebecca Hayes, of North Carolina, wrote a Facebook post, which has since gone viral, about finding the angry, handwritten note when she came out of a grocery store on Monday.

It said: "This parking is for Veterans, lady. Learn to read and have some respect."

Ms Hayes, who served in the Navy for eight years, told WBTV she rarely uses the veterans-only spots outside the store, but decided to do so on that day because it was hot and both were empty.

She told the broadcaster she cried after reading the note.

Ms Hayes then responded by posting a photo of the note on Facebook with a message for its anonymous author.

"I'm sorry that you can't see my eight years of service in the United Sates Navy," she wrote.

"I'm sorry that your narrow misogynistic world view can't conceive of the fact that there are female Veterans.

"I'm sorry that I have to explain myself to people like you. Mostly, I’m sorry that we didn't get a chance to have this conversation face to face, and that you didn't have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to identify yourself, qualities the military emphasizes.

"Which leads to one question, I served, did you?"

I've never seen a veteran only parking space.

http://jalopnik.com/woman-gets-angry-note-for-parking-in-veterans-only-spac-1782044299

The spot in question was at a Harris Teeter grocery store. Harris-Teeter reserves a few primo parking spots just for veterans, a nice little way to say thanks to those that serve our country.

It’s an honor system, with only a sign to enforce the veterans-only rule. The closest grocery store to my home happens to be a Harris Teeter, and I’ve seen these spots. Despite my years of service to our country in both the Cold War and the brutal Cola Wars (I still see small plastic cups of fizzy brown liquid in my dreams) I’ve never availed myself to these choice parking places.

huh, who'd a thunk.

Maybe only some larger shops have them, a voluntary kind of thing.

In Paris the Metro has seats reserved for veterans.

Veteran only parking is a thing? And yeah, people don't know when to shut their mouth.

In fairness, they do a sterling job of looking after my dog when he needs his check up and worming pills.

The store I work at has several such spots. Never seen them til I came to the US. This country does seem to offer more perks for veterans than other countries I've been to.

 jreilly89 wrote:
Veteran only parking is a thing? And yeah, people don't know when to shut their mouth.

Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

Well whoever left the note is a total jerk but...grow some thicker skin. 8 year female navy vet has seen a lot worse I am sure.

Aye...she has "integrity and intestinal fortitude" but a mean note on her car made her cry?

The person responsible is an arsehole though - a self-righteous self-appointed moral arbiter.

Chongara wrote:Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

Same. Never heard of it either.

 Xenomancers wrote:
Well whoever left the note is a total jerk but...grow some thicker skin. 8 year female navy vet has seen a lot worse I am sure.

Maybe she thought someone stole her valor?

 Ouze wrote:
I've never seen a veteran only parking space.

It's something that Harris Teeter does, having "Reserved for Veterans" parking spaces in the same general distance from the store's doors as the handicapped spots.

That's what it looks like. There's usually something like 8 or 10 of them, depending on the layout of the parking.

They've been doing it since 2014 or thereabouts. As of November, all of their locations have reserved veteran parking. Harris Teeter is a NC based chain and I can't say how far they reach.

I live in NC, and it's something I don't even think about anymore seeing it at Harris Teeter. It's rare for the parking spots to actually have any cars in them though.

But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

 Ahtman wrote:

Chongara wrote:Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

Same. Never heard of it either.

Same here...

Cool idea though.

And feth the dude who assumed she wasn't a vet.

 Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

 redleger wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

Did she have a sign or something on her car saying she was a veteran? I mean, you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

Misogynist is to strong a word for this. Sexist, definitely.

But how does this person's actions (assuming a woman is not a Veteran) imply a hatred of women?

many people corealate sexism and misogyny. Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now. So misogyny is pretty much a likelyhood, since many old timers have a hatred for women who do anything than make babies and dinner.

This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

Exactly this. Don't assume, people.

 redleger wrote:
Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now.

I'm going to have to call CSI "enhance" style shenanigans on that one. You can buy lined pocket side-spiral notepads at every Walgreens in the country, probably.

 Matthew wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

Did she have a sign or something on her car saying she was a veteran? I mean, you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

Sure you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

But like I said, here in NC where the story takes place? It's actually rare to see those "Reserved for Veteran" spots occupied.

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

 Ouze wrote:

 redleger wrote:
Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now.

I'm going to have to call CSI "enhance" style shenanigans on that one. You can buy lined pocket side-spiral notepads at every Walgreens in the country, probably.

ouze, wow man. Didnt you serve? You were never issued the brown "write in the rain" pocket pads. Yes, this could totally be from any walgreens, but without putting it in my hand, and feeling the paper, there is no way to be 100% sure, however is seriously looks like the same coated paper issued to many that allows for writing in wet conditions. Is that really a reason to try to be argumentative.

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

To be fair, that's still no excuse.

Just because a few people abuse benefits doesn't mean all people you think "Don't look disabled enough" are one of them.

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

 MrDwhitey wrote:

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

To be fair, that's still no excuse.

Just because a few people abuse benefits doesn't mean all people you think "Don't look disabled enough" are one of them.

I'm not defending anybody's bad behaviour here.

Like I said- a few bad apples spoil the cart. Once a few people start doing it, the decent and genuine folks are constantly being second-guessed.

Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

 redleger wrote:

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

Yeah it's pretty poor form that the person who left the note, veteran or not, decided that it was better to be a passive agressive gakhole instead of just taking the time to talk to the person who parked there. If it's not worth your time to wait and know for sure if the person is a veteran then it's really not worth your time to write the note.

On the "disabled enough" topic there was a local news clip here not too long ago where an apparently able bodied man pulled into a handicapped spot. As he was getting out of his car a passer-by got totally enraged and went off on him yelling and screaming at him for taking up the handicapped space and was attempting to break the guys window just as his 19 year old vet son who was missing both legs below the knee rolled out of the building in his wheelchair. Apparently the dad was picking him up from rehab, the passer-by was so full of himself that he didn't even offer an apology and just stormed off cursing and swearing like a complete jackass. The whole altercation was caught on somebody's phone and they aired it on the news to shame the dbag. Some people are quick to temper and don't actually investigate the situation before they fly off the handle.

I remember when I was a child going shopping with my dad and watching incredulously as a woman berated him for parking in the disabled space, all the time as he was clearly getting his wheelchair out of the car. Some people have a large dose of the stupid.

That being said, it seems a strange concept to me that you should be rewarded for having served in the military by being allowed to park close to the store. Disabled vets, sure but just because you served in the forces doesn't preclude you from walking like everyone else really.

 filbert wrote:
I remember when I was a child going shopping with my dad and watching incredulously as a woman berated him for parking in the disabled space, all the time as he was clearly getting his wheelchair out of the car. Some people have a large dose of the stupid.

That being said, it seems a strange concept to me that you should be rewarded for having served in the military by being allowed to park close to the store. Disabled vets, sure but just because you served in the forces doesn't preclude you from walking like everyone else really.

I wouldn't call it a reward. And since this is a business' decision, and not some sort of law or ordinance then not really sure where the issue would be. If it was a (you know what) free zone, you would be applauding him. Why can't the owner offer these parking spots up as well?

 redleger wrote:

 filbert wrote:
I remember when I was a child going shopping with my dad and watching incredulously as a woman berated him for parking in the disabled space, all the time as he was clearly getting his wheelchair out of the car. Some people have a large dose of the stupid.

That being said, it seems a strange concept to me that you should be rewarded for having served in the military by being allowed to park close to the store. Disabled vets, sure but just because you served in the forces doesn't preclude you from walking like everyone else really.

I wouldn't call it a reward. And since this is a business' decision, and not some sort of law or ordinance then not really sure where the issue would be. If it was a (you know what) free zone, you would be applauding him. Why can't the owner offer these parking spots up as well?

I understand it is the business' decision, I just find it strange. If you are going to reward vets, why not reward nurses, teachers etc? There are plenty of deserving targets. People in the military aren't any more altruistic than anyone else; in most cases they do a job for pay same as everyone else. I mean, I didn't serve in the UK army because I thought I might get a parking space at my grocery store and the eternal affection of everyone for ever more, I joined because it was a solid job for a solid wage.

 filbert wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 filbert wrote:
I remember when I was a child going shopping with my dad and watching incredulously as a woman berated him for parking in the disabled space, all the time as he was clearly getting his wheelchair out of the car. Some people have a large dose of the stupid.

That being said, it seems a strange concept to me that you should be rewarded for having served in the military by being allowed to park close to the store. Disabled vets, sure but just because you served in the forces doesn't preclude you from walking like everyone else really.

I wouldn't call it a reward. And since this is a business' decision, and not some sort of law or ordinance then not really sure where the issue would be. If it was a (you know what) free zone, you would be applauding him. Why can't the owner offer these parking spots up as well?

I understand it is the business' decision, I just find it strange. If you are going to reward vets, why not reward nurses, teachers etc? There are plenty of deserving targets. People in the military aren't any more altruistic than anyone else; in most cases they do a job for pay same as everyone else. I mean, I didn't serve in the UK army because I thought I might get a parking space at my grocery store and the eternal affection of everyone for ever more, I joined because it was a solid job for a solid wage.

I wholly agree. If they didn't pay me, I wouldnt have been destroying my body the last 20 years. Im 37 and feel like im 60. However if a business owner wants to offer this as a thank you, then more power to him. I personally would rather have a free coffee, since I am still mostly mobile. But Im not gonna knock him for it. I say free coffee, because that is the norm in most places that corner stores offer police officers free beverages.

Yes, local LEOs, firefighters, teachers, and all forms of public service are equally awesome, and keep the country rolling. I respect them, especially the dedicated teachers. I would have no issue for a teacher parking spot. Not saying its necessary and everyone should do it, but good for him for doing something.

 filbert wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 filbert wrote:
I remember when I was a child going shopping with my dad and watching incredulously as a woman berated him for parking in the disabled space, all the time as he was clearly getting his wheelchair out of the car. Some people have a large dose of the stupid.

That being said, it seems a strange concept to me that you should be rewarded for having served in the military by being allowed to park close to the store. Disabled vets, sure but just because you served in the forces doesn't preclude you from walking like everyone else really.

I wouldn't call it a reward. And since this is a business' decision, and not some sort of law or ordinance then not really sure where the issue would be. If it was a (you know what) free zone, you would be applauding him. Why can't the owner offer these parking spots up as well?

I understand it is the business' decision, I just find it strange. If you are going to reward vets, why not reward nurses, teachers etc? There are plenty of deserving targets. People in the military aren't any more altruistic than anyone else; in most cases they do a job for pay same as everyone else. I mean, I didn't serve in the UK army because I thought I might get a parking space at my grocery store and the eternal affection of everyone for ever more, I joined because it was a solid job for a solid wage.

Maybe appealing to their clientele? I worked at Babies R' Us for a couple years and they have "Expectant Mother" parking spots.

 Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

Frustration and injustice are things that can make you cry.
Crying doesn't necessarily mean sadness and feeling grief.
Anger crying is a thing. God knows I'be done it on occasion.

Prestor Jon wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

Yeah it's pretty poor form that the person who left the note, veteran or not, decided that it was better to be a passive agressive gakhole instead of just taking the time to talk to the person who parked there. If it's not worth your time to wait and know for sure if the person is a veteran then it's really not worth your time to write the note.

Either way, unless the store has hired you on as the Parking Police or the lack of spaces is causing a problem for veterans who need to park close to the store, it's really not worth it. Either you've called someone out for parking a little closer than you should have, or - and this is far, FAR more likely - you've just accused a veteran of not being in the military. It's such a small-scale thing, why would you run the risk of being a giant bag full of tools to someone?

There's people in the veteran's spaces at my local Harris Teeter about half the time, but it's a smaller store.

I am sure this will not at all turn out to be just like the anti-gay notes left in restaurants for servers in place of tips that turned out to have been written by the servers themselves.

Seaward wrote:
I am sure this will not at all turn out to be just like the anti-gay notes left in restaurants for servers in place of tips that turned out to have been written by the servers themselves.

Ehhh...maybe, maybe not.
There's a lot of rabid military supporters here in NC and there's been a few instances where people try to do the whole "Stolen Valor shaming" on others.

 Smacks wrote:
Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

That's a pretty inappropriate statement to make with zero evidence.

Many people in the US have a very different attitude to the military to the UK. In general if someone said they were in the army in the UK the response would go from "cool" to "were you in (insert last war person can remember)" to "ok". In the US it will almost universally be "thank you for your service". For this reason I could see people doing that. The very fact that this shop offers something that you would never see in the UK tells you a lot.

That's the same reason stolen valour is a thing in the US but almost totally unseen in the UK. Other than the odd Walter Mitty wanting to join parades and a few people claiming to have been in the SAS to win a fight or pull when drunk (who next time will claim they were a cage fighter or a doctor) we just don't see it.

Having lived in the UK and US for about equal periods of time, I definitely see the difference in attitude toward (ex) military personnel.

Back in the UK it's a humble respect. People appreciate the soldiers but it's generally a quiet acknowledgement.

Here in the US it borders on worship. Constant media barrage to thank the troops and honor our military and various businesses offering a slew of benefits to veterans.

Not saying it's a bad thing at all, but the difference is night and day. I think it reflects on the cultures though. Brits tend to put their head down, blinders on and get on with things. Yanks seem to be a lot more forward, spur each other on and want to be everyone's friend

I just wish the same attitude was taken with our educators though. Everyone values the military, but the people raising and teaching the next generation are treated like gak. My wife works 60-70 hours a week (salary assumes 40), makes all her own class material, has to buy supplies out of her own pocket and still gets told by parents that she earns too much and isn't doing her job right because trailer trash kids who don't show up to class aren't getting a passing grade.

 Nostromodamus wrote:
Having lived in the UK and US for about equal periods of time, I definitely see the difference in attitude toward (ex) military personnel.

Back in the UK it's a humble respect. People appreciate the soldiers but it's generally a quiet acknowledgement.

Here in the US it borders on worship. Constant media barrage to thank the troops and honor our military and various businesses offering a slew of benefits to veterans.

Not saying it's a bad thing at all, but the difference is night and day. I think it reflects on the cultures though. Brits tend to put their head down, blinders on and get on with things. Yanks seem to be a lot more forward, spur each other on and want to be everyone's friend

I just wish the same attitude was taken with our educators though. Everyone values the military, but the people raising and teaching the next generation are treated like gak. My wife works 60-70 hours a week (salary assumes 40), makes all her own class material, has to buy supplies out of her own pocket and still gets told by parents that she earns too much and isn't doing her job right because trailer trash kids who don't show up to class aren't getting a passing grade.

I agree with what you are saying. It's mostly a generational thing I think. People under 30 in the USA have a very similar attitude to what you describe in the UK. I think it has a lot to do with how recent your country was involved in a serious war with high casualties. I bet the UK had a much different attitude towards military members in the decades following WW2. In the USA I think it's also increased by the backlash of the Vietnam war and how poorly those soldiers were treated then. I could be wrong - just a thought of mine.

In california we have family parking and expectant mother parking at some stores. But something to know is that they are not enforcable, not even by the store who made them. Only disabled ones are.
People are always asses when it comes to parking.

 Spinner wrote:

Prestor Jon wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 angelofvengeance wrote:

 MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

Yeah it's pretty poor form that the person who left the note, veteran or not, decided that it was better to be a passive agressive gakhole instead of just taking the time to talk to the person who parked there. If it's not worth your time to wait and know for sure if the person is a veteran then it's really not worth your time to write the note.

Either way, unless the store has hired you on as the Parking Police or the lack of spaces is causing a problem for veterans who need to park close to the store, it's really not worth it. Either you've called someone out for parking a little closer than you should have, or - and this is far, FAR more likely - you've just accused a veteran of not being in the military. It's such a small-scale thing, why would you run the risk of being a giant bag full of tools to someone?

There's people in the veteran's spaces at my local Harris Teeter about half the time, but it's a smaller store.

I was reading about a new phenomenon called "revenge dating". What happens is you go on Grindr or something and get set up with a date with someone who seems pretty nice. You go to the meeting place. Then they either string you along for half an hour before not showing, or they even drive by and shout insults at you.

The parking complaint seems a similar thing.

It seems there are people who actually just are massive toolbags, and they will do this kind of thing for lulz.

 Kanluwen wrote:

Seaward wrote:
I am sure this will not at all turn out to be just like the anti-gay notes left in restaurants for servers in place of tips that turned out to have been written by the servers themselves.

Ehhh...maybe, maybe not.
There's a lot of rabid military supporters here in NC and there's been a few instances where people try to do the whole "Stolen Valor shaming" on others.

Just out of curiosity, what part of NC are you in? (not topic related, just wondering if there are any Dakka folks nearby)


I live near Bragg/Fayetteville. I've vet to notice 'veteran only parking' but honestly I don't look for it either. If any place I have been has it it is probably near the handicapped spaces and I tend to park a bit further out. Obviously near Bragg there are a ton of troopers, vets, and families of both and many businesses are military friendly.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
I have seen 'motorcycle only' parking, with correspondingly narrow spaces, AND some asshat in a car taking up 4 or 5 of them. That did annoy me.

 Kanluwen wrote:

Seaward wrote:
I am sure this will not at all turn out to be just like the anti-gay notes left in restaurants for servers in place of tips that turned out to have been written by the servers themselves.

Ehhh...maybe, maybe not.
There's a lot of rabid military supporters here in NC and there's been a few instances where people try to do the whole "Stolen Valor shaming" on others.

I find it quite unlikely. Truthfully stolen valor shaming is getting out of control, and this is most likely a case of both sexism, closed-mindedness and being just a huge titan sized bag of tools by someone who thought they were doing something good, even though the exact opposite is true.

Also anyone who has served, knows as a general rule, not absolute but general, most of us just wanna go on about our business. We have organizations that speak for us on the important issues, so I would be truly shocked if this was a note fabricated by the veteran in question.

My guess is that is wasnt even a veteran who wrote it at all, but a parent/sibling/friend of another veteran or some military tryhard.

 Smacks wrote:
Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

That note certainly does look like it was written with some sort of make-up pencil. Not many writing implements commonly carried around by people leave those kind of markings. So, this was likely written by another woman with the possibility of being written by herself. I wouldn't jump to making that accusation without any stronger evidence but it's there.

 TheCustomLime wrote:

 Smacks wrote:
Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

That note certainly does look like it was written with some sort of make-up pencil. Not many writing implements commonly carried around by people leave those kind of markings. So, this was likely written by another woman with the possibility of being written by herself. I wouldn't jump to making that accusation without any stronger evidence but it's there.

I'm ready to jump to the blame the victim for self-inflicted valor stealing while buying vegan pizza.

Edit: I take that back. She never claimed to be vegan in that article. And we all know that is impossible for a vegan to do.

Team Wienie finds the whole concept of special parking for veterinarians...offensive.

 Frazzled wrote:
Team Wienie finds the whole concept of special parking for veterinarians...offensive.

Veterinarians?

Animal Docs? What you got against them? Too many needles?

When one signs a contract, is sent overseas, and faces the inscrutable horrors of conflict it is done in the hopes of a slightly better parking space back home.

 whembly wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Team Wienie finds the whole concept of special parking for veterinarians...offensive.

Veterinarians?

Animal Docs? What you got against them? Too many needles?

Team Weenie is still upset about "The Great Snip-Snip Incident" that took his FREEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

 whembly wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
Team Wienie finds the whole concept of special parking for veterinarians...offensive.

Veterinarians?

Animal Docs? What you got against them? Too many needles?

No, no, no.

Veterinarians are like vegetarians, only they eat veterans.

The Auld Grump

wow, seems like a lot of hate towards a veteran going on here. Hey its the internet,hate all you want,but even I am surprised at reading some of this, and I have seen some ignorant stuff posted in OT threads.

 Xenomancers wrote:

I agree with what you are saying. It's mostly a generational thing I think. People under 30 in the USA have a very similar attitude to what you describe in the UK. I think it has a lot to do with how recent your country was involved in a serious war with high casualties. I bet the UK had a much different attitude towards military members in the decades following WW2. In the USA I think it's also increased by the backlash of the Vietnam war and how poorly those soldiers were treated then. I could be wrong - just a thought of mine.

I'm still not really sure. I think that the bombing campaigns inflicted on Britain gave the British population a sense of being involved in the war in some fashion, even if it was only helping Mrs Trellis clean up after a bomb blew a load of number 24 into her back garden.

That removed some of the sense that it was the soldiers alone fighting for freedom, as everybody felt that they were doing their part for the war effort and many people had to do that whilst facing the possibility of death from Nazi bombs. That was something which the US civillian population generally didn't experience and so didn't develop the same mindset regarding their involvement. They were helping, yes, but they weren't ever under the same conditions (or anything close to) as the soldiers out fighting.

 Ouze wrote:
I've never seen a veteran only parking space.

I haven't either.

To be fair, this sounds like a something unique to this business.
specialty parking for one group(Disabled excepting) sounds like a horrible business practice. what if it is a busy day? you are limiting the amount of parking you have available to people that done belong to that group.

 redleger wrote:
wow, seems like a lot of hate towards a veteran going on here. Hey its the internet,hate all you want,but even I am surprised at reading some of this, and I have seen some ignorant stuff posted in OT threads.

I haven't seen any hateful sentiments expressed on this thread towards veterans. Mostly just confusion about the existence of veteran parking spaces. Care to point out any?

 Ahtman wrote:
When one signs a contract, is sent overseas, and faces the inscrutable horrors of conflict it is done in the hopes of a slightly better parking space back home.

Far better reason than the romance of flight.

Or because wings get you laid.

 Steve steveson wrote:

 Smacks wrote:
Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

That's a pretty inappropriate statement to make with zero evidence.

Well excuse me if I don't automatically believe everything I hear. There isn't any evidence either way. "Innocent until proven guilty" doesn't mean I can't ever entertain the possibility that someone is lying, people lie for attention all the time. I think half the viral videos I've seen lately are fake stories created by marketing companies. You might also recall the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews, which (for those who don't know) was a child abduction case in the UK, only it wasn't an abduction (the parents just hid the child and faked her kidnapping to generate money from the publicity). If you can believe that then its no problem to see how someone might post some BS on facebook for attention. Attention whoring is pretty much the rock on which facebook was built.

I don't know for certain if she wrote it herself or not, and I'd be happy to give her the benefit of the doubt if this were a court of law, but this isn't a court of law...

 redleger wrote:
wow, seems like a lot of hate towards a veteran going on here. Hey its the internet,hate all you want,but even I am surprised at reading some of this, and I have seen some ignorant stuff posted in OT threads.

Citation needed.

 Smacks wrote:

 Steve steveson wrote:

 Smacks wrote:
Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

That's a pretty inappropriate statement to make with zero evidence.

Well excuse me if I don't automatically believe everything I hear. There isn't any evidence either way. "Innocent until proven guilty" doesn't mean I can't ever entertain the possibility that someone is lying, people lie for attention all the time.

There is a diffrence between healthy cynicism and making unfounded accusations.

 Steve steveson wrote:
There is a diffrence between healthy cynicism and making unfounded accusations.

You say tomato, I say tomato (heh).

Besides, you are accusing me, unfoundedly, of making unfounded accusations. I preceded my statement with the declaration "Dunno", indicating my "healthy cynicism", and that what follows is opinion and not fact. I then presented an alternative perspective on the event, which other people had not, until that point, considered. A valuable contribution to the discussion, not an accusation.

An accusation would be like "she did it!", I never said that. I said she probably did it... that's obviously just conjecture.

 Smacks wrote:

 Steve steveson wrote:
There is a diffrence between healthy cynicism and making unfounded accusations.

You say tomato, I say tomato (heh).

Besides, you are accusing me, unfoundedly, of making unfounded accusations. I preceded my statement with the declaration "Dunno", indicating my "healthy cynicism", and that what follows is opinion and not fact. I then presented an alternative perspective on the event, which other people had not, until that point, considered. A valuable contribution to the discussion, not an accusation.

An accusation would be like "she did it!", I never said that. I said she probably did it... that's obviously just conjecture.

Okay, then you'e probably being obtuse, and probably accusing her. Happy?

 jreilly89 wrote:
Okay, then you'e probably being obtuse, and probably accusing her. Happy?

If it shuts you up: probably.

Guys, please don't get the thread locked before Redleger can tell us where the abuse in this thread directed at veterans was - please?

 Ouze wrote:
Guys, please don't get the thread locked before Redleger can tell us where the abuse in this thread directed at veterans was - please?

Criticism is abuse, how do you not get that yet?

If veterans don't get premium parking, the terrorists win?

 redleger wrote:
wow, seems like a lot of hate towards a veteran going on here. Hey its the internet,hate all you want,but even I am surprised at reading some of this, and I have seen some ignorant stuff posted in OT threads.

It led me to add a new name to my Ignore list. (And, no, it wasn't you.)

And folks claiming not to see the hate... seems ingenuous.

My own remark was just a general knee jerk pun.

The Auld Grump

 CptJake wrote:


I live near Bragg/Fayetteville. I've vet to notice 'veteran only parking' but honestly I don't look for it either. If any place I have been has it it is probably near the handicapped spaces and I tend to park a bit further out. Obviously near Bragg there are a ton of troopers, vets, and families of both and many businesses are military friendly.

Try checking out your local Home Depot. Even the Home Depots around Fort Campbell had "Veterans parking" spots. ... As do both of the closest to me locations in Washington State.

I personally found the ones around Campbell to be dumb, considering there's 35k troopers, and the bulk of the civilian families in the area, are former military working on base.

 Matthew wrote:

 redleger wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

Did she have a sign or something on her car saying she was a veteran? I mean, you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

you also have a reason to not question anyone for anything that does not personaly effect you, and doing so only leads to hurt feelings and ignorance.

Wow...
People make such a fuss about this?
And we are already on page 3 of discussion about it?
You'd think there isn't anything important happening in the world anymore.

And why do veterans really need better parking spots than other people? I don't think I get that. Because they served the state? They got money and shiny medals for that, do they really need anything on top of that? There is plenty of other people serving the state who don't get special parking spots...
Is it because they had a job that might have been dangerous? Well, there is plenty of people with dangerous jobs who also do not get special parking spots right? Where are the parking spots for the heroic firemen, police officers and astronauts? Is it just plain old militarism (not that something is really wrong with that imo) or can somebody explain the reasoning behind it to me?

 Iron_Captain wrote:


And why do veterans really need better parking spots than other people? I don't think I get that. Because they served the state? They got money and shiny medals for that, do they really need anything on top of that? There is plenty of other people serving the state who don't get special parking spots...

They don't 'need' anything. They didn't ASK for parking spaces. If a business owner decides to have the spaces he is making that decision for a reason. Likely he/she decided it Looks Good to offer those spaces (both to vets and other folks) and may get them more business/more repeat business. Perhaps the business in question is vet run/owned or at least vet friendly and genuinely feel it it s a Good Thing to do.

Regardless of their motivation, private businesses can do what they want for the most part. This certainly falls under the realm of what they can decide to do.

 CptJake wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:


And why do veterans really need better parking spots than other people? I don't think I get that. Because they served the state? They got money and shiny medals for that, do they really need anything on top of that? There is plenty of other people serving the state who don't get special parking spots...

They don't 'need' anything. They didn't ASK for parking spaces. If a business owner decides to have the spaces he is making that decision for a reason. Likely he/she decided it Looks Good to offer those spaces (both to vets and other folks) and may get them more business/more repeat business. Perhaps the business in question is vet run/owned or at least vet friendly and genuinely feel it it s a Good Thing to do.

Regardless of their motivation, private businesses can do what they want for the most part. This certainly falls under the realm of what they can decide to do.

I never understood handicap parking at home hardware or the mall. Most handicap people who go to e mall I see have little cars to drive around in. After countless visits to home hardware I never seen anyone handicap there lol, the spots are basically used for loading and unloading purposes lol.

But my grandfather was handicapped when he was older could not walk 5 feet. He had a lottle car thig and liked to park as far back as possible so he had room. But he was also a very proud man and as his legs went so to did his traveling. All I ever seen was abled body people using someones handicap sticker to get good parking.

Prego parking I agree with tho, anyone who had a wife prego they will know the truh, walking the needed 15 meters to the door is a challange let alone 60 with no chainrs.

My wife is handicapped...joint issues and such...she walks fine but not for long distances. She has a handicap tag that we use even at hardware stores.

Not everyone who is handicapped can't walk or appears handicapped.

 skyth wrote:
My wife is handicapped...joint issues and such...she walks fine but not for long distances. She has a handicap tag that we use even at hardware stores.

Not everyone who is handicapped can't walk or appears handicapped.

but arnt they going into a store where walking great distances is required? It would be the same as a blind person being first in line for eye glasses.

Often there are wheelchairs or carts inside for those people.

Also, the spaces here are much larger to allow easier access into and out of the vehicle and to give space to take out their own wheelchairs/carts.

Sometimes people also need to just get to their car quickly. Having a serious fatigue or heart related condition can mean you suddenly and inexplicably reach your limit.
So then you and your driver need to go home without staggering across a carpark and endangering yourself.

Hidden illnesses and all that. There was a point where I required a handicap space because I'd had to learn to walk again, and I was very unsteady once I reached my limit. Up until that moment I was a regular looking teenager.

OgreChubbs wrote:

 skyth wrote:
My wife is handicapped...joint issues and such...she walks fine but not for long distances. She has a handicap tag that we use even at hardware stores.

Not everyone who is handicapped can't walk or appears handicapped.

but arnt they going into a store where walking great distances is required? It would be the same as a blind person being first in line for eye glasses.

My wife insists on being the one to push the shopping cart around. She can partially support herself with the cart that way to make it through the store.

Really, you are really demonstrative of a problem...the whole 'you don't look handicapped enough so you're just lazy' mentality. It happens with parking spots...it happens with government assistance/disability benefits, etc.

There’s this guy who parks his car in a disabled reserved space, puts his disabled blue card in the windscreen and goes to the shop.

When he gets back with his shopping some other bloke is there, who says, “You don’t look disabled, mate. What right have you got to park in the disabled space?”

“****ing ****, I’ve ****ing got ****ing Tourette’s Syndrome you ****ing *** so ****ing well **** off and ****ing mind you own ****ing business you ****ing ****!”

“****!!”

 skyth wrote:

OgreChubbs wrote:

 skyth wrote:
My wife is handicapped...joint issues and such...she walks fine but not for long distances. She has a handicap tag that we use even at hardware stores.

Not everyone who is handicapped can't walk or appears handicapped.

but arnt they going into a store where walking great distances is required? It would be the same as a blind person being first in line for eye glasses.

My wife insists on being the one to push the shopping cart around. She can partially support herself with the cart that way to make it through the store.

Really, you are really demonstrative of a problem...the whole 'you don't look handicapped enough so you're just lazy' mentality. It happens with parking spots...it happens with government assistance/disability benefits, etc.

In all honesty mate I couldnt care less who parks where it matters very little to me, I like to park aroumd the back of parking lots ( small town so not that mich of a difference). I just always found it funny people who cant walk 10 feet to the door are going to a place where you must walk many many meters.

But like I said there is no mean spirirt ment and if you felt like there was I am sorry. I have no beef in this, and I never really thought much of it except, in the odd case when I see someone struggling to move getting out of the car and the person who took the spot hopping into the store.

I am not sure if it gets lost in Culture , Canada to u.s.a but alot of people think I am being insulting when I ask questions. Yet locally in town people never get upset or mad.

Culture shock huh.

I've seen expecting mother and veteran parking spots side by side on the north shore. usually just one of each, usually a row further away from the handicapped spots.

There are only a few, usually near each entrance of the mall. Neither is often used except during the holidays are busy weekend nights. Nobody complains, and I can't see the harm.

In general, I only find there is three reasons to leave a note on a car. Insurance information, random acts of kindness (KCCO), and if someone parks like an absolute jackass.

Multiquoting sucks betwen pages, so Ill just address it here since someone wants to know what I mean by hate.

Usually when you say there is hate, or someone is hating, that means they are being jerks. Usually deep seeded in jealousy or ignorance. Many of you are missing the point, and making alternate unrelated points about who deserves what parking spots. A private business can make and reserve spots for who ever they want. Saying the shouldn't or belittling them or anyone who uses that spot constitues as "hating" or being a genuine gak hat.

No veteran I know asks for the military discount, wants better parking spots, they just want the be left the heck alone, because civilians don't get us anymore than we get them. PTSD is not as common as you may think, it is often mistaken for an inability to identify with the very people you looked forward to living long enough to come back and see. Once you ahve done some things, been certain places You no longer look at life the same way. Who give a rats behind who some kardashian is fething this week. I watched a friend bleed in our vehicle while the passenger put a tourniquet on, as I sat in the commanders seat trying to manage everything at once and navigate a patrol to the nearest friendly area. So yea, eff you buddy if you are complaining about a private business offering up a veteran parking spot. Its not a requirement, they chose to do so, accept it, just like you have to accept a gun free zone, doesn't have to make sense, it just is.

secondly, the validitity of whether they should is pointless, since the discussion was about the person who left the note, and the veteran who received the note. Bottom line is the person who left the note was ignorant, most likely sexist, or a raging amazonian woman who should have known better.

Ill leave you with the story of a man, who parked in a handicap parking spot, got out of the drivers seat, only to be rushed up on by another man, cursing, acting foolish and blindly angry. as this man acted stupid, the driver went to the passenger side, after pulling out a wheel chair, and helped his now legless veteran son into the wheel chair. this idiot raised a fuss because he didn't stop to think, just like many of you on this very forum post before stopping to utilize common sense before your fingers start typing.

That is what I meant by hate.

 redleger wrote:
Multiquoting sucks betwen pages, so Ill just address it here since someone wants to know what I mean by hate.

Usually when you say there is hate, or someone is hating, that means they are being jerks. Usually deep seeded in jealousy or ignorance. Many of you are missing the point, and making alternate unrelated points about who deserves what parking spots. A private business can make and reserve spots for who ever they want. Saying the shouldn't or belittling them or anyone who uses that spot constitues as "hating" or being a genuine gak hat.

No veteran I know asks for the military discount, wants better parking spots, they just want the be left the heck alone, because civilians don't get us anymore than we get them. PTSD is not as common as you may think, it is often mistaken for an inability to identify with the very people you looked forward to living long enough to come back and see. Once you ahve done some things, been certain places You no longer look at life the same way. Who give a rats behind who some kardashian is fething this week. I watched a friend bleed in our vehicle while the passenger put a tourniquet on, as I sat in the commanders seat trying to manage everything at once and navigate a patrol to the nearest friendly area. So yea, eff you buddy if you are complaining about a private business offering up a veteran parking spot. Its not a requirement, they chose to do so, accept it, just like you have to accept a gun free zone, doesn't have to make sense, it just is.

secondly, the validitity of whether they should is pointless, since the discussion was about the person who left the note, and the veteran who received the note. Bottom line is the person who left the note was ignorant, most likely sexist, or a raging amazonian woman who should have known better.

Ill leave you with the story of a man, who parked in a handicap parking spot, got out of the drivers seat, only to be rushed up on by another man, cursing, acting foolish and blindly angry. as this man acted stupid, the driver went to the passenger side, after pulling out a wheel chair, and helped his now legless veteran son into the wheel chair. this idiot raised a fuss because he didn't stop to think, just like many of you on this very forum post before stopping to utilize common sense before your fingers start typing.

That is what I meant by hate.

Ok, so let me get this straight, to you, hating on veterans is criticizing a business for making a decision? Umm, Ok.
As to the bolded part. You ever think that the fact that veterans like to put up a barrier between those who served and those who didnt by using the word "civilian" constantly to describe them? The fact that veterans essentially "other" people this way? Because its always veterans I see doing this, trying to seperate themselves from people because "You have not seen what I have seen"

Honestly, we are not the same. Im sorry if that hurts your feelings. Im not saying we deserve more or less, but we are not the same.
Not saying either of us is more deserving of anything than the other, but we are different. Those differences are not apparent till we come back and its literally stares you in the face everywhere you go. In the FLGS where I play on weekends, I pretty much am surrounded by vets, since it is a town next to a installation When the civilians come in, they stand out, and the conversation never moves to anything other than 40k, because there is very little else for us to talk about. Even my friend, who has been in my house, played here and met with my children. we see things very different based on experiences. Other than a healthy criticism of religion, all his facebook posts are pretty much the polar opposite of anything I would be thinking.

Is there a divide yes. Can you fix it, probably not. Does it bother me, not anymore. I literally just don't talk to people. My tolerance of BS has gone way down. If you can't understand what Im saying, find your local combat vet(not some dude to pushed paperwork in Kandahar Air-Field) and have a 20 minute conversation with him. You will notice his eyes, his stance, and his demeanor will be different and you might even think of it as aggressive. It's not. It's normal.

 Smacks wrote:
Attention whoring is pretty much the rock on which facebook was built.

Well, and various streams of advertising revenue generated by FB-stalking.

Also, criticizing the business is one thing, saying why one earth would anyone give a parking spot to a veteran is definitely not criticizing the business, its saying something about anyone who would use that spot.

To be honest, if I had a business I would not offer a special parking spot, save prego's and handicap. But I certainly wouldn't bash anyone who did.

 redleger wrote:
Honestly, we are not the same. Im sorry if that hurts your feelings. Im not saying we deserve more or less, but we are not the same.

Ok, let me ask you this, Why, why is your group different? and why does that make your occupation different from people who have a different occupation? I want to know what makes veterans so special as to be above criticizing?

 hotsauceman1 wrote:

 redleger wrote:
Honestly, we are not the same. Im sorry if that hurts your feelings. Im not saying we deserve more or less, but we are not the same.

Ok, let me ask you this, Why, why is your group different? and why does that make your occupation different from people who have a different occupation? I want to know what makes veterans so special as to be above criticizing?

Please go back up as I was typing out more and you didn't get it all.

Also never said special. Never said abuse either as you mentioned in your earlier posts. Please don't fill in words where there were none.

 redleger wrote:
Also, criticizing the business is one thing, saying why one earth would anyone give a parking spot to a veteran is definitely not criticizing the business, its saying something about anyone who would use that spot.

No it isn't. It's asking why Veterans stand out enough to merit a parking space but, for example, paramedics or firefighters don't. For the disabled or pregnant there's a physical reason why it might be a good idea to have the parking spaces closest to a business; for Veterans, notsomuch.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 redleger wrote:
Also, criticizing the business is one thing, saying why one earth would anyone give a parking spot to a veteran is definitely not criticizing the business, its saying something about anyone who would use that spot.

No it isn't. It's asking why Veterans stand out enough to merit a parking space but, for example, paramedics or firefighters don't. For the disabled or pregnant there's a physical reason why it might be a good idea to have the parking spaces closest to a business; for Veterans, notsomuch.

That's largely what I was thinking. If the aim is to make it easier to elderly/injured veterans, wouldn't they also qualify as disabled?

How do you define a veteran anyway? Does serving a single tour and leaving entitle you to a priority parking space? What about passing basic training?

Herzlos wrote:

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 redleger wrote:
Also, criticizing the business is one thing, saying why one earth would anyone give a parking spot to a veteran is definitely not criticizing the business, its saying something about anyone who would use that spot.

No it isn't. It's asking why Veterans stand out enough to merit a parking space but, for example, paramedics or firefighters don't. For the disabled or pregnant there's a physical reason why it might be a good idea to have the parking spaces closest to a business; for Veterans, notsomuch.

That's largely what I was thinking. If the aim is to make it easier to elderly/injured veterans, wouldn't they also qualify as disabled?

How do you define a veteran anyway? Does serving a single tour and leaving entitle you to a priority parking space? What about passing basic training?

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

Herzlos wrote:

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

Been explained a few times in this thread. A business owner has decided to offer the spaces. You would have to ask him/her why thy don't offer it for firefighters/paramedics/police. They offer it for any of many reasons, including they think it is good for their business to be seen as 'veteran friendly' and/or maybe they have personal ties to the military and enjoy doing this. Who cares what their motivation is? It is a private business and they can do what they want. Potential customers upset that what ever group they identify as part of not getting a special space can drive on to this place's competitor. Too easy.

Herzlos wrote:

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

This country has been in some state of war or another since 2001. The preferential spaces are just a way of saying thanks for those who served our country. As to why EMS don't get the same treatment, look and you'll find that many stores do offer special benefits to EMS, even if it isn't parking. Others don't. There's no policy or tradition around EMS this so it's up to individual shop owners to make their own decisions. There's no right or wrong here, it's just the way it is.

Herzlos wrote:
That's largely what I was thinking. If the aim is to make it easier to elderly/injured veterans, wouldn't they also qualify as disabled?

Not necessarily. For instance, I am considered a "disabled vet" because of my arthritis and other things, but I am not disabled (as in, having a blue/red parking placard).



As to why other jobs aren't given the same treatment, I've seen a number of businesses that DO offer the same treatment. I haven't compiled a list or anything, but I've seen a number of businesses with signs reading to the effect of getting a discount for being military/veteran, police, fire, EMT, or teachers. A gun shop back in Tennessee's sign read "public servant" (which talking to the guy at the counter was ALL public service jobs, apparently including postal workers)

 CptJake wrote:

Herzlos wrote:

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

Been explained a few times in this thread. A business owner has decided to offer the spaces. You would have to ask him/her why thy don't offer it for firefighters/paramedics/police. They offer it for any of many reasons, including they think it is good for their business to be seen as 'veteran friendly' and/or maybe they have personal ties to the military and enjoy doing this. Who cares what their motivation is? It is a private business and they can do what they want. Potential customers upset that what ever group they identify as part of not getting a special space can drive on to this place's competitor. Too easy.

Its like they can't seem to understand this was something the owner decided to do, and its his perogative. This has totally spun out of control. Why is no one mad about someone being a DB and leaving a hateful note on this womans car. No, the big question is, why did the owner make a parking space for veterans.

I mean lets be real. the parking space isn't the issue. Its the behavior of the person doing this. We can talk about the merit of social media to get the point across and shame this person, whether its ok or not. We can talk about, as we did early on, why this note was stupid, or whether this person had a justified reason to leave that note. I am not sure why we keep changing the subject to something that literally has no bearing on the conversation.

When I had my first job at a diner/ice cream shop, we wouldn't take money from anyone in a uniform. Cops, military, paramedic, didn't matter. The postie would get a free coffee every day as he did his rounds.

There was no sign to this effect, it was just something we did. This one old cop would try to pay for his coffee every time, and I saw him once week or so. It became like a bit between us.

 feeder wrote:
When I had my first job at a diner/ice cream shop, we wouldn't take money from anyone in a uniform. Cops, military, paramedic, didn't matter. The postie would get a free coffee every day as he did his rounds.

There was no sign to this effect, it was just something we did. This one old cop would try to pay for his coffee every time, and I saw him once week or so. It became like a bit between us.

We had one of the local Subways give us (Volunteer Fire Department) free food if we were in uniform (which most of the time consisted of our station pants and t-shirt). It wasn't posted anywhere in the store, but we and the staff all knew that this was the policy at that store. And that was the reason many of us went there during lunch and none of us would deny it .

But all of us always ordered our food and walked up to the register with our wallet in hand. I was shift-leader for the guys on my duty-night, and I made sure that all my rookies knew what I expected of them if we went for dinner at that store, and what my general expectation was for their behavior at any establishment (and the same lesson was given by all other shift-leaders as well as all our officers):

- NEVER expect a discount: always be prepared to pay full price for your meal.
- NEVER ask if they have a firefighter discount: if they have one, they will be the ones to decide to offer it to you.
- If you know that a place has a discount and they forgot to give it to you, NEVER ask why you didn't get it: pay full price and shut up.
- ALWAYS offer to pay and say thank you when they don't let you: It doesn't matter if it's the same person that has given you the discount every day for the past 6 months. Don't ever take it for granted, we didn't volunteer for the cool t-shirt and the half-priced coffee or free Subway sandwich. We give back to our community, and the community thanks us. When the community gives back to us, we thank them.

If anyone violated the rules, they would quickly learn the error of their ways.

 d-usa wrote:

 feeder wrote:
When I had my first job at a diner/ice cream shop, we wouldn't take money from anyone in a uniform. Cops, military, paramedic, didn't matter. The postie would get a free coffee every day as he did his rounds.

There was no sign to this effect, it was just something we did. This one old cop would try to pay for his coffee every time, and I saw him once week or so. It became like a bit between us.

We had one of the local Subways give us (Volunteer Fire Department) free food if we were in uniform (which most of the time consisted of our station pants and t-shirt). It wasn't posted anywhere in the store, but we and the staff all knew that this was the policy at that store. And that was the reason many of us went there during lunch and none of us would deny it .

But all of us always ordered our food and walked up to the register with our wallet in hand. I was shift-leader for the guys on my duty-night, and I made sure that all my rookies knew what I expected of them if we went for dinner at that store, and what my general expectation was for their behavior at any establishment (and the same lesson was given by all other shift-leaders as well as all our officers):

- NEVER expect a discount: always be prepared to pay full price for your meal.
- NEVER ask if they have a firefighter discount: if they have one, they will be the ones to decide to offer it to you.
- If you know that a place has a discount and they forgot to give it to you, NEVER ask why you didn't get it: pay full price and shut up.
- ALWAYS offer to pay and say thank you when they don't let you: It doesn't matter if it's the same person that has given you the discount every day for the past 6 months. Don't ever take it for granted, we didn't volunteer for the cool t-shirt and the half-priced coffee or free Subway sandwich. We give back to our community, and the community thanks us. When the community gives back to us, we thank them.

If anyone violated the rules, they would quickly learn the error of their ways.

I like it. similar to what I tell young Soldiers about military discounts. No one does it for the discount, but show appreciation if you get it.

About a month ago I had to fly into the USA with an adjoining flight.
I thought it was interesting that early check-in and boarding was given to any active or veteran passengers.
I have never heard of this practice either, but I think this is a really good thing to do.

Too bad we were not able to test this scenario out: What looked to be an African/American female in fatigues with two monster duffle bags (4' long?) was checking in on our plane.
It would have been interesting to see what happened if that person was in civilian clothes.
As a side note, I think a civilian pulling any BS with military personnel is just looking for being verbally lit on fire.

 Breotan wrote:
This country has been in some state of war or another since 2001.

I think you mean a state of conflict, since the USA has not declared war on anyone (other than figuratively) for quite some time (1941 in fact).

I get NHS discount in some stores/places, but generally you have to know about it and ask for it (as well as show your NHS ID). Hence I rarely use it

Herzlos wrote:

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

It's more then just "thanks for signing up". It's "Thanks for making the decision to alter your life in such a manner that you are willing to be sent at a moments notice to your death. That you are willing to allow the government to affect the way you think. That you are agreeing to be sent to live in some of the most horrible places in the world, whether or not you want to. Thanks for putting your life on hold, be it for 4 years, or 40. Thanks for the physical injuries that you will sustain because the levels of body usage are incredibly higher then you will encounter in the civilian world. Thank you for all the times you've had to make that lonely walk towards the airplane, as your children are crying for you to come back."

It's kind of along those lines.

 Talizvar wrote:
About a month ago I had to fly into the USA with an adjoining flight.
I thought it was interesting that early check-in and boarding was given to any active or veteran passengers.
I have never heard of this practice either, but I think this is a really good thing to do.

Too bad we were not able to test this scenario out: What looked to be an African/American female in fatigues with two monster duffle bags (4' long?) was checking in on our plane.
It would have been interesting to see what happened if that person was in civilian clothes.
As a side note, I think a civilian pulling any BS with military personnel is just looking for being verbally lit on fire.

A lot of these people are probably traveling on "official orders", which means they have to wear the uniform of the day, and also get to carry more luggage because they are on active duty travel.

There are few times you are authorized to travel in uniform. Official duty which in most cases is going from Basic Combat Training to Advanced Individual Training. This is if you see individuals traveling.

Another is unit movements from point A to point B, and that will be on a charter.

most common in that last 15 years is R and R leave from a forward area to home. Civilian clothes are not brought into forward areas therefore, traveling in uniform is usually authorized.

Lets see the outrage on letting uniformed personnel board first, since we feel the need to question motives.

 d-usa wrote:

 Talizvar wrote:
About a month ago I had to fly into the USA with an adjoining flight.
I thought it was interesting that early check-in and boarding was given to any active or veteran passengers.
I have never heard of this practice either, but I think this is a really good thing to do.

Too bad we were not able to test this scenario out: What looked to be an African/American female in fatigues with two monster duffle bags (4' long?) was checking in on our plane.
It would have been interesting to see what happened if that person was in civilian clothes.
As a side note, I think a civilian pulling any BS with military personnel is just looking for being verbally lit on fire.

A lot of these people are probably traveling on "official orders", which means they have to wear the uniform of the day, and also get to carry more luggage because they are on active duty travel.

Only time I've traveled in uniform on official orders is if I was deploying. It's generally suggest not to. Keeps you from being a target.

 CptJake wrote:

Herzlos wrote:

 Breotan wrote:

In the USA, a veteran is anyone who has served in the military. Length of service, manner of discharge, nor combat experience are qualifiers.

That's what I thought. So what's the aim behind the preferential spaces? Just a "thanks" for signing up? As above, why don't firefighters/paramedics/police get the same treatment? In the UK, lots of places used to give discounts to emergency services staff.

Been explained a few times in this thread. A business owner has decided to offer the spaces. You would have to ask him/her why thy don't offer it for firefighters/paramedics/police. They offer it for any of many reasons, including they think it is good for their business to be seen as 'veteran friendly' and/or maybe they have personal ties to the military and enjoy doing this. Who cares what their motivation is? It is a private business and they can do what they want. Potential customers upset that what ever group they identify as part of not getting a special space can drive on to this place's competitor. Too easy.

No point in trying to explain the facts behind situation. It seems many in this thread have already forged their own narrative.

 Talizvar wrote:
About a month ago I had to fly into the USA with an adjoining flight.
I thought it was interesting that early check-in and boarding was given to any active or veteran passengers.
I have never heard of this practice either, but I think this is a really good thing to do.

I fly weekly, and this is something that I have noticed a few years ago with United Airlines. It is every flight, now. They first ask for people that need assistance or additional time (wheel chairs and such), then people with small children (2 or under) and then Active Military before proceeding with Global Services and first class.

I like that they do it, and perhaps they do this in part for the large duffel bags they tend to carry or just out of respect. Dunno. I rarely see it taken up, but then, I suppose that Chicago to Pittsburgh is not a typical military journey.

If I ever run a business with parking spaces I'm gonna have "Happy People Only Parking, Grumpy People's Cars Will Be Towed"

Then, anytime someone parks in that spot I'm gonna call the tow company to come get it. When the owner complains I'm gonna look them in the eye and say, "See, you're grumpy!"

Ought to be good for a few laughs.

I do get annoyed with the kids though. Move your little herd of screaming liquid spewers along, and keep them the *&^(^ away from me. We've got to go before I miss my connecting flight.

 Frazzled wrote:
I do get annoyed with the kids though. Move your little herd of screaming liquid spewers along, and keep them the *&^(^ away from me. We've got to go before I miss my connecting flight.

I spit out my rock star.

 Frazzled wrote:
I do get annoyed with the kids though. Move your little herd of screaming liquid spewers along, and keep them the *&^(^ away from me. We've got to go before I miss my connecting flight.

I'm perfectly fine with sitting them first so they can get situated.

I sat next to a couple of 7-8 year old boys. Their mom plopped a Wendy's bag in front of them and went to the back with the infant and dad.

Ketchup packet fight! alalalalala!

We seem to be done