Lack Of Service For Those In The Service

(I am home for leave from the military when this happens. I am picking up a six-pack from the grocery store through the self-checkout lane when the “Please wait for an attendant” window pops up. I wait for about five minutes and this teenage employee approaches me.)

Employee: “Sir, I need to see your ID.”

Me: “All right.”

(I hand her my military ID since I always keep my license in my car. She looks at it confused; this is pretty common, so I help her out.)

Me: “The birth date is on the back.”

Employee: “Uh, what the h*** is this?”

Me: “It’s a military ID.”

Employee: “I’m sorry; we don’t accept these.”

Me: “What?”

Employee: “We don’t accept military IDs. Do you have a driver’s license?”

(She clearly has no idea what she’s talking about, since I’ve bought alcohol from this grocery store many times with my military ID.)

Me: “Ma’am, my license is in my car; I’ve used this ID here before with no problems.”

Employee: *raising her voice* “I’m not going to repeat myself. No license, no beer.”

Me: “Look, is there a manager I can speak to? I’m sure we can work this out.”

Employee: “Sir, you cannot come in here and make up rules and then expect the manager to come help you. My manager told me…” *speaking really slowly like I’m some idiot* “NO… MILITARY… IDs!”

Me: “Ma’am, I find that very hard to believe. Please go get your manager.”

Customer: *throws her hands up in the air* “Fine! But he won’t help you, sir!”

(She walks behind the customer service desk and points me out to a manager. He walks over to me with a confused look on his face.)

Manager: “Is everything all right, sir?”

Me: “Yes, your employee told me you don’t accept military IDs?”

Manager: “What? Of course, we do. Let me see.”

(He takes my ID and looks at it.)

Manager: “Looks fine to me.”

(He enters the birth date on his computer and authorizes the transaction.)

Manager: “Is this what she was so upset about?”

Me: “I believe so.”

Manager: “Sir, please wait right there; I have something for you.”

(He walks away and returns with the previous employee.)

Manager: “I believe she has something she would like to say to you.”

Employee: *sheepishly* “I’m sorry.”

Manager: *angry* “I’m sorry… what?”

Employee: “I’m sorry, sir.”

Manager: “If I EVER find out you disrespected a service member in this store again, you will not only be fired, but you will no longer be welcome in this store, period. Now get back to work.”

(She quickly walks away. The manager hands me my six-pack.)

Manager: “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, and thank you for your service. Have a nice day.”

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