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AIBU?

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Original poster

CF asking for key worker discount

352 replies

rumblingtumtum · 14/08/2020 23:15

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.

OP posts:
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 11:21

I’m going to bow to your superior knowledge of the police force. I’m a teacher - we get so much shit for everything as do the police. I’m going to assume you know the rules of your own job better than I do.

Flowers
enders1 · 15/08/2020 11:21

It's tbh getting a bit weird to me that so many people in this thread can't see the difference.

Trolling?

God this app is shit

canigooutyet · 15/08/2020 11:40

Depending on the night the discount question might have been in relation to the eat out discount.
Yes I know you are supposed to eat in, chain here have been letting any customer get the discount if a discount is mentioned whether they eat in or not. Works out better for the place as they don't have to do all the additional cleaning!

alphabetsoup1980 · 15/08/2020 11:45

Of course you're being unreasonable. He was only asking!!! If the answer is no, it's no!! Move on! 😂😂

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 15/08/2020 11:53

dont forget to turn down any offers op!

see the bigger picture, show some tolerance

MaxNormal · 15/08/2020 11:53

OP I completely get you and I'm amazed that so many people can't see the problem and the inherent potential for abuse of power.
I'm not sure if it's privilege or if they are inherently a bit grasping so don't see anything wrong with the trait in others.

Where I grew up there's huge issues with corruption at all levels in society, I have literally seen the police pull up in uniform to get their blind-eye money from the corner drug dealers.

Obviously that's a lot further down the slippery slope than an enquiry about a discount but it's so important to maintain complete integrity. The UK police force are really, really good by global standards and we shouldn't lose that.

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 15/08/2020 12:03

have a cornetto op

C8H10N4O2 · 15/08/2020 12:11

see the bigger picture, show some tolerance

Do you seriously not see the issue with a senior, uniformed police officer on duty asking for favours from a small business?

As opposed to off duty using a pre-agreed blue light card?

Spidey66 · 15/08/2020 12:13

[quote rumblingtumtum]@Spidey66 Professional Standards Department - they investigate complaints against police and breaches of conduct. The police are expected to abide by specific rules of conduct. [/quote]
Ahh with you now. Thank you

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 15/08/2020 12:14

Are you in Sandford op?

Veryverycalmnow · 15/08/2020 12:15

Yanbu

MrsWombat · 15/08/2020 12:22

YANBU OP.

I used to work for the council and we had similar policies. Being accused of bumping someone up an allotment waiting list in exchange for excess tomato plants isn't quite in the same league but a similar concept.

dottiedodah · 15/08/2020 12:27

enders 1 I appreciate that maybe some staff may be intimidated by a fully uniformed Officer asking for a discount in normal times .However the recent pandemic ,has clearly stated that Emergency Services MAY be allowed a discount due to the unusual circumstances .As I read this post it was just an enquiry from the PC,( not a re run of The Sweeney when Reagan and Carter have free drinks all night FFS!) We also dont know whether he was given a discount or not and if not presumably went home with a shrug or had a bit of a moan about it!

Tistheseason17 · 15/08/2020 12:32

YABU

He asked if there was a key worker discount. Pre-Covid many places offer this including my local Indian independent restaurant.

They can reply, "no".

I think it is more odd why you are so offended by something that is none of your business and did not involve you.

dottiedodah · 15/08/2020 12:36

Enders1" The Restaurant may have forgotten to offer up a discount ".This was put forward by me ,as I explained earlier .This week myself and DH went for lunch at a country pub, under the "eat out to help out scheme ".on a weekday at the early part of this week .However when the bill arrived ,no discount applied! The waitress told me she had forgotten to apply it ! No problem she then put it through with the correct figure! This was all I meant!

jolokoy · 15/08/2020 12:37

@Tistheseason17

YABU

He asked if there was a key worker discount. Pre-Covid many places offer this including my local Indian independent restaurant.

They can reply, "no".

I think it is more odd why you are so offended by something that is none of your business and did not involve you.

It's actually her duty (see NP 1.7) as a police officer so it is her business.
enders1 · 15/08/2020 12:39

Well you have answered my question @dottiedodah, I don't think a pandemic (particularly as we are no longer under lockdown conditions) make if less intimidating to those who find it intimidating.

I would assume most places offering new discounts would advertise it somewhat as the whole point is to attract business, otherwise what's the point?

see the bigger picture, show some tolerance

Yes to the small businesses owners who are struggling & may feel obliged.

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 15/08/2020 12:41

but op is on her holiday!

enders1 · 15/08/2020 12:41

This week myself and DH went for lunch at a country pub, under the "eat out to help out scheme ".on a weekday at the early part of this week

Did you know the restaurant was taking part & were you in police uniform @dottiedodah?

ClamDango · 15/08/2020 12:43

All he did was ask if they offer a discount which he didn't get ayway, he must have been speaking very loudly to have heard the entire conversation. If you think he was unprofessional then dob him in.

Orangecake123 · 15/08/2020 12:48

My aunt asked at B&Q because they did offer it.

I ask for student discounts too.

Julmust · 15/08/2020 12:49

Yanbu

Pipandmum · 15/08/2020 12:49

Who isn't a key worker? Frontline NHS staff and care workers have risked their health for sure, but bin men, utility workers, food production and so on...there would be absolute chaos if the power went out and there was no food.
Restaurants and hospitality industries have been hit hard and I don't think they should offer a discount (defeats the purpose of eat out to help out for example, which is costing everyone). I certainly don't think people should ask for one, putting someone, most likely making minimum wage, on the spot.

noses11 · 15/08/2020 12:57

There are police who try to take advantage, and a firm no would have been reasonable. Perhaps with an observation that they are a small business.

Catapultme · 15/08/2020 13:01

This thread is bizarre. The teacher, would you go into a business run by one of your pupils' parents and ask for a discount?

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