I remember the first time I heard of a military discount. “Are you military?” the little clerk folding clothes into my bag at the store asked. “Yes,” I said. “If you show me your ID I can give you our 10% military discount," she offered.
Mind blown. A discount? Just for being a military family member? Heck yes!
It never even dawned on me not to say “yes” to these wonderful treats. I quickly learned to start asking at stores if they had one. I figured it never hurts to ask. And that 8 or 10% off is just a little way that I knew businesses in America hadn’t forgotten that my husband was out there fighting for their right to sell stuff. Three cheers for capitalism.
It wasn’t until last year that I realized that some spouses not only aren’t comfortable with asking if a store has the discount, but they say “no thanks” when it is offered. They say the discount isn’t really for or about them -- it’s for and about actual service members.
I can see where they are coming from. Perhaps they think that even a discount may potentially give off a sense of entitlement -- something I have no intention of communicating. Or, maybe they think “I didn’t serve -- no need to thank me.”
And then there are the people far on the other side -- those who love discounts so much that they wait until a discount and military freebie heavy day, like Veterans Day or Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and strike while the iron is hot. In honor of Veterans Day at least 18 chain restaurants offered free meals to anyone with a military ID, while many retail stores offered additional discounts. Everything from shoes to mattresses is discounted. Some people love these so much that they go, in my opinion, way overboard. I’ve even heard of people ordering the free food as takeout, hauling it home and freezing it for later.
In my personal opinion, using the discount as a spouse that a store already offers (or politely asking if they have one -- and, if so, taking advantage of it) does not cross a line. If the discount was only meant for the service member and not his/her dependents, they would not accept dependent IDs. Just like when someone finds out I’m a military spouse and says, “Thank you for your sacrifice,” I politely respond, “You’re welcome” -- the discounts are meant as a sign of thanks.
What do you think?
Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life
For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, sign up for a free Military.com membership and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox.
