Civilians offering to buy your food, gas, etc.?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 22:00:11 -0500

I recently started doing recruiter duty and am in uniform on a daily basis in public places. Often times I end up having to eat at a restaraunt for lunch since I travel almost every day. Civilians are almost always friendly to me, and I appreciate that, but when they start offering to buy me lunch I get this huge sense of guilt. I usually tell them that I appreciate the gesture but that I cannot accept their offer. They usually are persistent and end up paying my bill. I always thank them, but just feel awkward about the whole situation.

Do any of you ever run into this situation? I almost always have the urge to tell them that it's a great gesture, but to be careful about offering such things as Stolen Valor is a huge plague on ghe nation. How do you handle fhese situations?

Thanks for the input everyone!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 10:08 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 22:08:01 -0500

In the NG we run into this all the time. I normally hand out the stock "Thanks for your support" and then go about my day but sometimes if they wanna talk a little I joke and say "keep paying your taxes, I work for you". They kinda confused but then they get and have a good laugh. What I do is when somebody picks up the tab I just pay it forward. Either by donating to a charity that amount or by buying some one else a meal

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 6 at 2015 12:37 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:37:22 -0500

Nice problem to have. We didn't have to deal with that 43 years ago.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 6 at 2015 12:42 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:42:45 -0500

It's nice that people take the time to recognize you but perhaps you should suggest to donate the money to charity such as the wounded warrior foundation

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 6 at 2015 12:45 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:45:44 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Learning to graciously accept is a mark of maturity. Accepting gracefully is another mark of maturity. Say thank you and smile.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 12:58 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:58:34 -0500

My suggestion would be ask them to buy a burger and coke to go and give it to a homeless person out there on the street.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Nov 6 at 2015 10:40 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 10:40:50 -0500

The gift is often more important to the giver. I would just say thank you and that it is appreciated. As long as there is no sense of entitlement and no (real or implied) quid pro quo, there is no harm.

If I were really uncomfortable about it, I might say "thank you, but I'm on an expense account. The Army is already buying it." Or I might just pay it forward as someone else mentioned.