CF asking for key worker discount

[rumblingtumtum]

Tonight I was in a small independent restaurant when a police officer (inspector rank) came in to collect a takeaway order. He was wearing full police uniform, as he was paying he asked if they did key worker discount "because some places do".

This really pissed me off. Firstly, he was in full uniform, if they did a discount they would have offered it.

Secondly, he has been on full pay for the whole of this pandemic, the restaurant has been closed for months.

Thirdly, him asking puts the staff in an awkward position, police are supposed to represent authority.

I would like to point out that I am also a police officer and I would never ask for discount like that. I think it pissed me off so much because I feel his actions have a negative impact on the representation of 'The Police'.

AIBU to be so pissed off or was him asking ok and I'm being irrational?

I'm away for the weekend so not in my own force area. I know in my force area there has been a lot on the intranet about not taking advantage of free goods and discounts as we have to be impartial, so maybe that's why I was so annoyed seeing someone of rank blatantly ask.

[Yorkshiretolondon]

I’m a key worker... a teacher... we get no discounts...don’t wear a uniform and don’t carry an ID type card...... we do get slagged off quite a bit though by the media and some of the general public for being lazy and getting long holidays does that count 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Chrissiemcghee]

No, you are not being unreasonable. If they offer the discount they would advertise it. Going in wearing uniform and asking for it when collecting the food is a bit manipulative and exploitative IMO. If you wanted to know if they did it phone in advance and ask, don't turn up to collect and THEN ask - talk about abusing your authority! I know where I live there have been reports of police pressuring shops into providing it when they just can't afford to and the Chief Constable has actually had to make an explicit statement telling staff not to do it.