Soldier refused a bed.

[Bobbie En Tejas]

...As for the Americans, most of the beggars we saw were or claimed to be veterans, not quite the rosy picture that's often painted.

Two possible reasons: Of a certain generation, a good majority of American men had been in the military, either by choice or by draft. So it wouldn't be surprising that someone 50+ would be a veteran. The second possible reason is that when all is said, Americans feel that people who have sacrificed their limbs, sanity, families, or whatever else should be taken care of to certain points and their is a certain sympathy for them having had to go through that. A lot of people who have never seen day one of basic training claim to be vets because they think that will gain them that sympathy

I guess that's one of the advantages of America.. you can choose to beg. And I wouldn't feel too sorry for them standing on the corners begging near overpasses. Many of them probably make more in a day than I do.

As for the hotel, couldn't the service people just wear civilian clothes and get a room? Why do they have to even say they are in the military?

[EMDEE]

Aye, why didn't the fella not just go back in as a civilian and ask for a room? Why didn't he try another hotel?

[A Horse called Juan Face]

I just thought it was bad that a hotel should turn away anyone on such a flimsy basis. By that principle, if a postman caused a bit of hassle in the hotel then all postman should be banned. Surely the individuals involved themselves should be banned and no one else. Though, common sense is becoming an increasingly rare commodity these days.


I don't agree that soldiers or any military should get benefits ahead of others, unless they are compromised in some way due to their experiences. He might have been the chef or something and never left the barracks, thus being as close to the war as I am (figuratively speaking).

[Govangirl]

The soldier was not in uniform. They asked him for identification and he produced his military pass. Why should he be ashamed and hide the fact? He was also in plaster, after being wounded in Afghanistan. I still think it's disgraceful.

[bill]

Aye, why didn't the fella not just go back in as a civilian and ask for a room? Why didn't he try another hotel?

I'm trying to set the scene here EMDEE......................

You as a Scottish fiddler are playing at a concert in England.You have prebooked a hotel room for after the event, to stay overnight.You present yourself at reception in your kiltie outfit,sober as a judge,and ready for a goodnights sleep.

SORRY says the receptionist WE DO NOT ACCEPT SCOTS.

"Aye OK nae problem" says you,"I'll away an' look for another hotel."

i don't think so

[EMDEE]

Aye, why didn't the fella not just go back in as a civilian and ask for a room? Why didn't he try another hotel?

I'm trying to set the scene here EMDEE......................

You as a Scottish fiddler are playing at a concert in England.You have prebooked a hotel room for after the event, to stay overnight.You present yourself at reception in your kiltie outfit,sober as a judge,and ready for a goodnights sleep.

SORRY says the receptionist WE DO NOT ACCEPT SCOTS.

"Aye OK nae problem" says you,"I'll away an' look for another hotel."

i don't think so

My point about trying another hotel is that it would have been a better option than sleeping in the car. It is not meant to infer that he should have meekly accepted the situation. It's a reasonable question.

[Govangirl]

As much as I hate to agree with Bill on anything, I think that's a perfect analogy.

[Martin]

Still with you Bill.

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Having been in the military myself, having been married to a Navy man for a few years, and having a daughter who is about to go on her third deployment (a year each) to Iraq or Afganistan, I obviously agree with Bill also. A voucher for a few free nights at the hotel might be a nice gesture for the "misunderstanding."

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Went out to breakfast with a friend of mine this morning. On the menu was a notice:

Law Enforcement Officers, Fire Fighters, EMS, and Military
in uniform and with proper ID receive 50% off.

Thats quite a contrast.

[bill]

Went out to breakfast with a friend of mine this morning. On the menu was a notice:

Law Enforcement Officers, Fire Fighters, EMS, and Military
in uniform and with proper ID receive 50% off.

Thats quite a contrast.

Yes, a very marked contrast to the attitude of this country towards it's military and emergency service personel Bobbie.

I would say it is all down to respect,something that is sadly lacking in Britain today,but has always been a big factor in the USA.

[peenkles21]

Really quite a pi$$ poor showing from the hotel and the wallopers on this forum who seem to be condoning it