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.

[googybob]

You seem unable to grasp your shopping experience isn't the only one

You seem unable to grasp why it could possibly be inappropriate.

The only person making a bad name for 'the police' is you imo. Says the entitled, grabby poster who can't possibly grasp

Who do you really think gives the police a bad name?

[googybob]

bloody app!

but you get my point.

[Yetiyoga]

YABU

[rumblingtumtum]

No they didn't get the discount. The young waiter looked uncomfortable saying no. Maybe that's why it's irritated me so much that he was put in that position.

Yes I could email their psd but in the big scheme of things I know it's not a big issue.

I think I'm a bit fed up in my job at the minute , police constantly being slated in the media , by the government, by the general public when most of us are trying our best. It annoys me when colleagues do stuff that on its own might seem a small thing, but if lots of officers are going round on duty asking for discount , it's stuff like that that starts to cause resentment between communities and police. It's the little things that add up to bigger things.

[BananaPop2020]

@dwiz8 I had to laugh at your comment that you “don’t care about it as much” as Rumbling, when you clearly do. Your other comments were just spiteful though and far too personal.

[ithinkiveseenthisfilmbefore]

YANBU

[Bassettgirl]

Where is Superintendent Ted Hastings when there is such blatant corruption to be investigated?

[rumblingtumtum]

I'm a nasty bitter lady for taking accept ion to witnessing an imbalance of power. Ok then. Fortunately I give zero fucks about what @dwiz8 thinks . I do however find it reassuring that many posters who have identified themselves as officers understand the issue.

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

I do wonder how many of the small businesses giving 10% or 20% discounts to professional key workers when asked - especially the ones who don't implicitly advertise it - are in the same boat as many of the people who felt under great pressure to go out every Thursday night and bang saucepans for fear of being shamed and abused if they didn't.

Depending on the business, that 10-20% discount that they feel socially compelled to give on a luxury service could represent their whole profit margin on the transaction - given away by somebody financially on their knees to somebody who's been on a good salary and in a thoroughly secure job throughout the whole thing.

[Misbeehived]

YANBU

[rumblingtumtum]

Exactly @WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

[googybob]

I think I'm a bit fed up in my job at the minute , police constantly being slated in the media , by the government, by the general public when most of us are trying our best. It annoys me when colleagues do stuff that on its own might seem a small thing, but if lots of officers are going round on duty asking for discount , it's stuff like that that starts to cause resentment between communities and police. It's the little things that add up to bigger things.

This, personally I have mixed feelings about the police but recognise there are plenty of "good" hardworking ones & PR at the moment is not great which must be very difficult. I completely agree with you that stuff like this which seems insignificant can build up & cause issues. It is really depressing though that posters like @dwiz8 can't even acknowledge how this could be inappropriate.

[BananaPop2020]

@rumblingtumtum you are doing a great job in a challenging set of circumstances. Keep on going!

[Phbq]

I don’t think he did anything wrong. He just asked if they did a “key worker discount”. It wasn’t as though he was asking for his own special discount. I think it was ok. If he had said “I want a discount” that would have been rude and inappropriate but he didn’t.

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

if lots of officers are going round on duty asking for discount , it's stuff like that that starts to cause resentment between communities and police. It's the little things that add up to bigger things.

I agree. The individuals concerned might just be trying their luck as an off-duty ordinary person, but it doesn't take long before it becomes accepted as a 'sweetener' - not that much of a jump to a 'protection racket', even.

[Phbq]

OP
I would like to point out that I am also a police officer and I would never ask for discount like that

Do you have a Blue Light Discount card? Have you ever benefitted from a discount because you are a police officer?

[googybob]

My friend has a pop up restaurant. He's black & has been stopped by the police more than 15 times (did have a penchant for sporty cars, but never broken a single law). If police officers asked him for a discount (defo couldn't afford it as summer was the key trading point) do people really think he would feel entirely comfortable & able to say no?

[OldBean2]

I think he was in the wrong. By asking for a discount when in full uniform, this is a misuse of power as his position of authority is demonstrated by his uniform.

If the discount was offered and displayed as being offered that would alright as the transaction could be viewed as being transparent. Asking for a discount could be interpreted as a soliciting a bribe.

OP, I hope you got his number.

[rosiejaune]

YANBU; he'll be asking for free doughnuts next.

I do think it's problematic for the reasons you stated, but particularly because there is a potential underlying sense of intimidation when a police officer does it. I.e. it is abuse of power, however small an extent.

Especially if they are white and male, and even more so if the takeaway staff are not white.

It is different to asking if they accept X specific discount card he might have.

[BitchTitties]

I agree with you OP!!

Not quite sure why any of you arseholes are getting a discount tbh

[JudgeRindersMinder]

YANBU at all. Police staff here, and there’s a massive difference between blue light card (yes I have one) and asking when
a) on duty
B) in uniform

[Pixxie7]

Now things are getting back to normal, I think the key worker thing is now redundant he is taking the piss. YANBU at all.

[rumblingtumtum]

@BitchTitties made me lol! Fair point!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

It’s perfectly acceptable to merely ask if they offer a discount. It’s not like he’s demanding it. They’re welcome to refuse.

There's a reason doctors can't ask patients out. Why professors can't borrow money from students. Why I can't accept presents from tenants. Because the balance of power in INHERENT. When you are in the role, you have power, whether you expressly exercise it or not. Both parties are aware of it. And then you add in the fact that in living memory, we had the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad to name one set of shites. And a lot of service staff, especially restaurant staff, could be newer immigrants from countries where you don't refuse a police officer ANYTHING.