Discounts

My husband is both so I understand what you and the others are saying:
You're not upset that they get a discount you just don't agree that
one should be higher than the other and I also agree with that. My
husband has been to Iraq twice and is a full time civilian police
officer. It is hard here in OH to find establishments that offer a
discount for either one of these dangerous and difficult careers so
when we do find an establishment that offers the discount we obviously
frequent that place or service. I believe that every public safety
service ie: Police Officers, firefighters, military soldiers, etc
should receive a discount. I believe that in these tough times as far
as economy and the war here and other countries they and their
immediate family deserve some sort of gratitude. As for the ppl on
here that are pissed because you were disappointed they more than
likely have never been where you or I have. BUT one comment on here
mentioned being careful who you complain to and I also agree with that
as well. They don't have to offer ANY discount so if they catch hell
for it than they'll just do away with it totally and as I said before
it is already hard to find places that appreciate what they do. :)

First of all, I am sorry that your husband is in Iraq. I can speak on
behalf of all of us and tell you that we appreciate him for serving
our country. However, that does not give you the right to belittle
what the border patrol or the police do here in the states. As far as
your attitude about the discounts....have you ever heard the
expression, "You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth"? You sure
took your discount but then you are going to throw a fit because
someone got a larger discount than you? Maybe the person at the table
next to yours should file a complaint because they didn't get one at
all. I think that you are missing the point on the police discounts -
when officers are eating in a restaurant, that establishment has on
duty, armed police presence for that hour - plain and simple.
Restaurants like to encourage the police to eat at their stores
because it provides a safer environment for their customers as well as
for their staff. By the way, I am married to one of those police
officers that you are making mention of...guess what, he isn't able to
be home with me every night. You know what else, I have to pray every
time that he walks out the door that he will come back home. They are
fighting a completely different war, one that is right here on our
soil that has been going on longer than Iraq. None of this has
anything to do with the discount, but you should rethink your choice
of playing down any public safety position that differs from your
husbands. I would never dream of criticizing the job that your
husband does for us every day.

One issue is that when a cops wife goes she gets NO discount unless
the cop is there in uniform. Also a cop out of uniform gets NO
discount. At least when you go without your husband you get something.
Or when he goes out of uniform he gets something. You should be
grateful but instead you complain about it. LOL

Watch out....before you know it, NOBODY will get a discount. IHOP may
decide that, for the sake of political correctness, all discounts must
be discontinued. I was hoping to petition for an ER nurse discount...

It seems like you are saying your husband is more important than
police officers and border patrol agents. Just because he is in Iraq
doesn't make him a saint, and it doesn't make him any better than
other people that have dangerous jobs.

I work in another restaurant, and we give police officers a 25%
discount. It has been done as long as I have worked there. I asked
why police got a discount, while no one else did, and it is a public
relations thing. They offer the discount to police officers so that
they will frequent the establishment, therefore deterring robberies.
We also have policies in place in case of a robbery, but prevention is
the key. That is why many restaurants give police officers the
discount. As a matter of face, most of our police force don't even
know about the discount, because most of the new cashiers don't know
that we give it. I had a couple of officers come through one day when
I was working the register, and I asked him to wait just a moment so
that I could call a manager for his discount, and he said, "what
discount?" I then explained to him that as long as he came in uniform,
he received a discount. He's been coming for several months and this
was the first discount he had received.

I don't think many folks would argue that military folks should get a
discount if one is offered by the resturant.

However, I think most posters are taking issue with the OP's attitude.
To me, it is her attitude that is offensive here not whether her
husband is as "important" as the border patrol or police or if 10% is
an adequate discount for military folks.

IHOP generously offered a discount, which they don't have to do. The
OP then takes it upon herself to question discounts offered to other
groups. This information is none of her business. She's lucky she
got a discount at all considering that she's not the one serving in
the military.

Yes, I feel for her that she has constant concerns about her husband's
safety, but so do many, many spouses whose mate works in public safety
or other dangerous jobs. Hopefully, her husband's tour will end, but
many public safety mates deal with this issue for 20 years or more,
the entire career of the spouse.

The bottom line is her sense of entitlement is appalling. IHOP chose
to recognize the contribution of the military by offering a discount.
She should have been grateful any discount was offered, especially to
her since she's not military. Instead she behaved like a spoiled
child stomping her feet and complaining that the "present" wasn't good
enough. No sympathy here.

Something is better than nothing. Really it's none of your business
what others are getting. The old "they got more than me" Your sense of
entitlement is sad. The first poster was right they don't have to give
you anything.

So why are you complaining to IHOP? Did someone make your husband go
to Iraq. I mean no disrespect lady but IHOP doesn't have to give you
a discount at all. Stop complaining.

All I can say is 50% is not enough....

Here is a great story about what I think about in terms of whta they
deserve and why....


Stand A Post....


http://www.standapost.org/Our%20Community.htm

fd

I get what you're saying about your husband's job in Iraq. I do agree
that certain people should get more of a discount, like the
military...but...if he is indeed in Iraq maybe you should be writting
letters to BUSH to stop the madness and bring all the men and women
home; not here complaining about a few bucks.
I hope that your husband gets home safely as well as all the other
valient women and men out there.

I totally agree with ya. NO need for an arm wrestle here! I guess
you me and Krissy need to team up and be prepared! :)

I don't really know what else to say about this. The motive behind
this letter isn't about being stiffed a discount or being ungrateful.
She's insulted. Customers write letters when they are insulted. If
someone said something that made me feel they were demeaning my
husband, I would be upset because I love my husband. And sure, that
could happen to the spouse of any service person. I don't think
anyone is better than anyone else. Ok that's it.

Guys my husband is getting shot at and I went to an IHOP and they
didn't give me a free pancake. THE TERRISTS HAVE WON

The fact that restaurants even offer discounts is a plus...especially
since you aren't in the military

Your husband is in Iraq and you're worried about a discount! And why
should you get a discount-you're not serving. If your husband was
there, I might hae seen the complaint - but not from you.

IHOP doesn't need to reevaluate their discount policy - you need to
reevaluate your values.

I think people are not seeing this complaint correctly.

She is complaining (I think) that MILITARY gets 10% while border
patrol gets 50%. Meaning if her husband were there it would still be
10%.

I can agree with this complaint. I do think that military should get
the same discount as the border patrol and the police.

I see exactly what you mean (unlike others) and I agree totally.

Had it been your husband who was at the restaurant, i would agree.
But we are talking about you. You get to sleep in your own bed too.
It's the actual soldiers who don't. Incidentally the Golden Corrall
chain here recently sponsored a Veteran's Day special. Any active or
retired military people ate free. I think that's awesome. My husband
is a Vietnam vet. He ate free. My son and i paid full price, as we
should. We weren't in a war.

These are also very important duties, However I am with you 100%! You
have every right to be PO'D! We live in a crooked system you know this
and to have ignorant people respond to you for Heaven's sake shake
your head at them and don't even respond to them! I am grateful for
your hubby and if I was working there, you would not have to pay for
the meal, hell I would have paid the tip too.. Sorry for the
injustices you face. I am sorry for your separation from your spouse.
I am glad you spoke up! This was worth writing about! God bless you
and your family during this difficult time!

Mrs. Shirley G.? one word comes to mind for you. GREED.GET over it and
I would probably be a LITTLE more concerned about the husband over in
Iraq right now rather than a stupid little discount at some little
restaurant.. your husband is SO lucky to have you.... (i hope you
sense my sarcasm)

Your not military you don't deserve any discount. You are not the one
sacrificing in Iraq. You did not go through basic training. You are
not the one going through the bullcrap of the military everyday.
I was active duty military. I hate to give all military wives a bad
name, but the majority of them complain all the time, put their noses
in every's business, don't work, do nothing all day and complain about
what everyone does not do for them, nothing is ever good enough for
them when in reality they are worthless and don't deserve anything.
The only thing you did was marry a military man that doesn't entitle
you to anything. You got a lot of nerve complaining when you have the
freedom to go to IHOP when your husband doesn't, but he is protecting
your freedom to go to IHOP. You sound like a typical military wife
that thinks everyone owes you. You will be better off when you realize
that nobody owes you, we owe your husband!

You are not entitled to anything. Get a life.

Maybe the Police officers and Border Patrol get a larger discount
because

1)they put their lifes on the line every single day

2)they have the ability to actually arrest someone for doing something
wrong even when they are off duty

3)when there is a Police officer in uniform in a place (such as IHOP(
there tends to be less trouble there.


Just my 2 cents.

Why the heck are you entitled to *anything*, Missy? Your husband
(whom I admire greatly) deserves some freebies, but ungreatful
demanding "look what the other people are getting" people like you
don't deserve squat, in my opinion. Have a great day.

Um...why does it matter how much of a discount Border Control gets?
Also, Border Patrol agents and Police officers are NOT always home
every night with their families. "What is wrong with this picture?"
you ask....nothing, except your attitude.

Dear Ms. Shirley G.:

In response to your request that we should reevaluate our discount
policy, we have. In the future we will only extend the 10% "military
discount" to spouses of active military, if those spouses will:

1. Allow us to use their ID to shop at the BX/PX
2. Allow us to use their ID to shop at the
Commissary
3. Allow us to use their ID to access free medical
care
4. Share with us their monthly housing allowance, if
living off Base, or
5. Send equal amount to us if living on Base
6. Send us the difference between combat and non-
combat pay
7. Forfeit all future medical bennies, especially
free prescriptions the rest of their lives

We hope the above reevaluation meets with your approval.

Sincerely,
IHOP Corporation

On a serious note, my heartfelt thanks to your husband for his service
to our country. But none to you for being an ungrateful busy-body.
Had I been David Lawrence, I'd have told you to MYOB. With your
attitude, your husband probably prefers living 'with strangers.' It's
probably the only peace and quiet (outside of dodging bullets) he'll
get for the next 12-18 months.

Your picky, picky, picky letter hits a sore spot with me. I'm from a
4-generation military family.

I can't believe I am reading this from another military wife. The
businesses are more than gracious to provide discounts for our
soldiers stationed in El Paso, most of the time without even having to
ask (the haircut gives you away and I was stationed in El Paso with my
husband). Businesses give military and discounts to other professions
because they respect the job they are doing. These businasses do not
provide the extras because they HAVE to, but because they WANT to. Be
thankful for what you are getting, and except the kindness with a
smile and graciousness befitting a military spouse. Hopefully this
does not ruin the discounts for others because you do not feel you
were given enough. Your husband has my respect for what he is doing,
you Shirly do not.

You don't say who you asked about the police discount. It was rude to
do so whether you asked the officers or the resturant staff. How is
it your business what, if any, discount is given to others?

Second, saying all Border Patrol does is ride up and down a fence all
day is like saying all your husband does is sit on top of a sand dune.
Have a little respect for others who are doing dangerous public
service.

I think it's not IHOP who needs to re-evaluate.

I hope it saves you money when your husband isn't there to bring home
the bacon. You can go to IHOP and get bacon on the cheap.

Shame on you and your selfishness. I cannot even imagine what kind of
person would feel that this is a legititmate complaint. I highly doubt
your husband would agree with your acting this way. Shame on you.

Wow.....wow.....I'm stunned.
Maybe IHOP will reevaluate their discount policy, but it may turn out
as a NO DISCOUNT policy.
You might want to rethink your complaint.

Dear Shirley:

We received your recent letter regarding our discount policy. We had
a meeting and decided you are right, it's not fair. Therefore, in
order to be fair, we have decided to eliminate all discounts.

We will be posting copies of our new "Shirley Policy" at all our
restaurants as well as sending them to the Border Patrol and Police
Stations.

Have a nice day and thank you for eating at IHOP.

Sincerely:

IHOP Corporate

Clearly this is not a case of "Discount Discrimination". Discounts are
a good will gesture given people for various reasons. I don't think
IHOP needs to change a thing or explain anything to anyone regarding
this issue. My guess, if it IS true?... The Border Patrol, the police,
firemen and their families etc will be there long after your family
picks up it's roots and move away from Texas. So if they decide to
give more of a discount, it's because the border OR IHOP aren't moving
anytime in the near future and IHOP appreciates the service the police
and firemen are doing for them.

No business has to extend any discount, and if they do, they should be
thanked, not told to change their discount policy based on "hearsay"
(Frankly if someone asked ME how much of a discount I got...i'd
inflate it on purpose just because of the chutzpah of the person
asking...not to cause any problems for IHOP) Again, even IF 50% is
true, it's nobody's business.

I'm not saying your sacrifice is worth less than anyone else's, but
the majority of taxpayers don't get ANY discounts at all and I don't
hear any of them complain when others get discounts. Why? Because it's
what it means to be American.

Their Tax money is funding the training and upkeep of the troops
wether or not they support the war, they ARE supporting the troops.

The purpose of discounts is to stimulate business, not reward service.
Border Patrol agents live in the area and bring in business, cops
live in the area and bring in business. Both make the IHOP a safer
place, especially at nite. Military personel do neither of these
functions for the store. (though one can argue they make this nation
safe, of course) But that is the reason for the discount, business,
quit whining.

because my husband would LOVE to be in the military, but cannot due to
health limitations. He would be proud to be in Iraq fighting for us
and me worrying night and day. I would LOVE to get a 10% military
discount. I would not go around griping about someone getting more
for doing "less" as it seems to be how you are putting it in your
post.

Around here, I am lucky to have a job. Unfortunately, I have been
with the same company for almost 2 years and I have not received a
raise. My husband works in a factory and he did not get a raise this
past summer as he usually does. While most of his co-workers have
complained, I have told them, first: be glad you have a job.
second: be happy you are making the income you are, cause the way the
economy is, you are lucky if you make more than $10/hour (which the
biggest portion of them do)

IT CAN ALWAYS BE SO MUCH WORSE!

Jeez, what an ugly attitude you have. My sympathies.

What gets me is that you are comparing the discount you get because of
YOUR HUSBAND with the discount they recieve for doing THEIR JOB. You
are not the one risking your life, either here or in Iraq and really
have no room to talk.

Oh........my .......gosh!!

Where to start! I also live in El Paso, and I frequent the IHOP alot!
I can not believe that you are complaining about police and border
patrol not deserving a discount because they "drive up and down a
fence!"

Do you not read the news?? How many times do border patrol folks get
shot at? Didn't a couple of them get thrown in jail the other day, for
shooting at a KNOWN drug dealer?? c'mon now! they do dangerous work
every day!!

I really doesn't matter!

I have my son in Iraq (for his SECOND tour) and I have my daughter in
Afganistan!! I would never.. ever try to dispute the discount I am
allowed because my husband is retired (he was in Saudi)! Do I think my
daughter and my son are more important than your husband! Darn tootin'
I do!! Do I compare his job to my kids' job? When my son does convoys
at least once a week? Would I dare to ask for a bigger discount than
you receive because I have TWO kids out there?? HECK NO!!!

Take what they give you.. because YOUR husband is over there.. not
you! YOUR HUSBAND.. and be grateful that this is not the VietNam era,
all over again..where your husband would be treated like dirt..as my
FATHER was when he returned from VietNam!!

ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. I am ashamed of you!

I didn't read through all the comments, but am I the only one who
thinks it's rather rude to go up to a table full of strangers and ask
what kind of discount they got? If someone would have done that to
me, I would have told him/her to MYOB. But that's just me.
That being said, my family's thanks for all your husband (not to
mention the "strangers" he lives with)is doing in service of his
country.

I work volunteer rescue (EMT). Around here, there are plenty of
restaurants that offer discounts to police and fire, but, not to us
volunteers(EMS). Police and Fire are paid. But, I don't complain, I
just tend to frequent the restaurants that offer us a discount.

Do you know why? Because I appreciate it. The same restaurants that
offer us discounts really appreciate our business, as well. We are
always greeted warmly, and treated with respect.

This letter is insulting, poorly written, petty, greedy, and overall
pathetic. And yet... I still think there's a hint of a valid
complaint in there somewhere. 50% is one hell of a massive discount
(I wonder if there's more story behind that or what), and I can kind
of see how someone might be pissed that someone else is getting the
same food but paying half the price for it. In any case, the server
probably should have just said they're not allowed to discuss other
customer's discounts and left it at that.

What a terrible comment you made................."50% to drive up and
down a fence all day." I think that was uncalled for. Police &
border patrol have just as much danger in their job as I am sure your
husband does. You speak of officers being able to be home with their
familes every night..... what about the ones that work at night or
even worse that don't make it through the night?

Re-think your gripe.... they all have "dangerous" jobs - including
your husband. We need to be thankful that there are people willing to
do those "jobs" for us, not worry about discounts how much our
discounts will be at IHOP!

It seems that you care more about getting a bigger discount than your
own husband, that you care more about money than him.

"My husband is in Iraq right now dodging bullets"

And your biggest concern is the size of the discount you get at IHOP.


Good to have priorities, I guess.

I don't understand what even motivated you to ask what the discount
was for others in the restaurant (the police officers and border
patrol agents).

Actually, there is a fairly solid reason for offering police officers
of any type a discount on their meals. It increases the chance that
the place will become a "cop hangout". And if the place becomes a
"cop hangout" then that decreases the chances the place will get
robbed. After all, as stupid as criminals are, they aren't gonna take
a chance jacking a joint where cops are in and out all day long.

Offering these kinds of discounts to officers can be a risky
proposition though. As far as I know, most jurisdictions have strict
rules against favoring officers over citizens and these kinds of
discounts could be considered a bribe.

Generally, deals for cops exist "under the radar" until someone
complains. Then, all of a sudden, the media's involved and everyone's
running to CTA.

While I understand your frustration, the manager can not change
policies, so speaking to him would not have fixed the situation.

What discounts do the husbands/wives of the Boarder Patrol Officers
and Police Officers receive? Your husband is in Iraq - - not you - -
so what is your personal danger level that qualifies you for a
discount?

I completely agree that IHOP should re-evaluate their discount policy
- - and discounts should only be offered to the person serving our
country or the community where they live - - not their family.

Several people have suggested that Shirley (and other military
families) take up pay issues with the government.

After reading this, I think Shirley might also do well to speak to a
therapist, a friend, or someone else that can offer support. I
believe many cities have support groups for military families. I
know, for a fact, that military has family services, as well. (How
easy they are to get is another story)

Why do I say this? It's clear that she's struggling with the loss of
her husband. Who can blame her? What she needs, right now is some
support. Basically, she's dealing with understandable stress and is
taking it out in the form of greed.

I still stand behind my comments, below. But it wasn't until I
re-read the letter did I see that we're dealing with a someone in
"grief" that's acting out in a way that (I assume) she wouldn't.
People deal with stress is different ways. Perhaps Shirley deals with
grief by complaining about IHOP discounts and putting down police
officers/border patrol agents?

This letter just reeks of greed. The OP isn't satisfied with getting
her 10% discount (which SHE shouldn't really get in the first place,
since she isn't IN the military) so she whines and complains to IHOP
because somebody else is getting something more.

Sheesh.

IHOP has every right to give discounts, in whatever amount, to
whomever they choose. I don't think they should have to change their
policy on your account just because you think you should get more!!

I'm saying this before I read any of the other responses, but...

Why is the spouse of someone in Iraq getting a discount? By your own
argument, the discount should be based on the danger. Since you
aren't in the military, why do you get a discount?

Personally, I don't see the reason for military discounts. There are
a lot of people who do dangerous, noble, and sacrificing things that
don't get any discounts.

If a business wants to extend a discount to any audience, that's their
right. (Although I would question a "white people discount," for
example) But I don't think being a military spouse entitled you to
anything.

Shirley, why don't you drop the attitude of the "my husband is more
important than your husband" nonsense. If you start that, I'm pretty
sure that there are people who'd step in and show why THEIR husband
(or wife or son or daughter or parent or whatever) is more "important"
that yours.

Lastly, you husband VOLUNTEERED for this job. As important as what
he's doing may be, he asked to do it. In doing so, he made the
decision to sleep away from you. IHOP had no say in any of that.

At least our borders are being watched by people that aren't going
hungry!

So you were probably happy with the 10% discount until you heard that
some others were getting a larger discount. You were so unhappy that
you wrote a letter of complaint. Your letter just strikes me as
childish. Even more so because you actually had the nerve to ask what
the Border Patrol agents were getting.

My guess is that these agents and officers are getting the discount
when in uniform --- in other words, while on duty. It's a nice thing
for an establishment to do for them when they're taking their "lunch
break". A lot of establishments do this.

As a former military wife...

Its a perk, not a right. Learn the difference. You made me want to
throw things with this letter. My husbnad spent time In afghanistan on
two seperate tours...I was a mess but I never EXPECTED jackcrap...and
was EXCITED when someone noticed my military ID in my wallet and gave
me a discount. Stop taking things for granted.

Your husband deserves the dicount. What have you done?

And this is coming from a gal with a family memeber in the FOP and in
the military...

Why should any of them get discounts?? Police, border patrol,
military, plus firemen... WHY? They get paid to do their jobs. Why
should they get discounts and free food as well? There are even more
hazardous jobs out there and those people don't receive discounts.
AND to top it off, they make less money.

Additionally, you aren't even the one in the military! You expect
that since your husband is serving in Iraq that YOU should receive a
discount.

IHOP is nice enough to give a discount. I don't receive a discount
for being a mom with three kids. Or because my husband worked 3rd
shift for 8 years and I (literally) never saw him. My dad was in the
Navy and doesn't suck up every little benefit that he can possibly
get, not even those that the gov't says he is entitled to.

I think that you need to reevaluate your letter.

No one is entitled to a discount, so you really should be thankful
that you get one at all.

In my opinion, there is no reason for ANYONE to get a discount because
of his/her career.

My best wishes to your husband.

They really don't have to give you a discount at all. I think 10% is
a nice gesture on their part. Are you in the military or just your
husband? If it's only your husband and he's not there, they really
don't have to give you anything at all.

Be grateful. Your husband's job is not any more important than a cop
or the border patrol. Just be happy you got ANY discount at all.

Frankly, you should be campaigning for your government to stop
screwing the military and veterans. IHOP is the least of your worries
now, hun. Your husband is being cheated by the very people who sent
him overseas.

Don't waste your time on some cheap restaurant, go after Capitol Hill.