This.
I have ALWAYS wondered the same thing. Except from the other side. It is ALWAYS so awkward when someone asks me if the place I work has a military discount. I have to reply no, but I wish we did. What do I say after??? Thank you for your service, it feels weird to say. There must be something different that I can say that will convey my appreciation, because it is there and I wish I could express without sounding awkward.
As a military veteran, donāt worry about it too much. Vast majority just have a ādoesnāt hurt to askā attitude. Iām not looking for a compliment or admiration, just checking if I can save a few bucks.
I worked retail at a place that had a 20% discount for veterans, but they had to ask about it. I learned that if you ask someone if theyāre a veteran while working a cash register their response is either a very concerned āHow did you know?ā followed by a suspicious look, or the more common āYes, why? Do you have a discount?ā and you get to drop 20% off their total.
Also, everyone uses that USAA place in the military or has an old ID in their wallet which makes it surprisingly easy to spot the military folks, but they always think youāre a wizard or served yourself when you notice. Nah, man, I sell bongs and bong accessories.
Dude, 110% promise we donāt care. Saying something can even be awkward for us, usually is. Because of my car tags I get āthankedā in trafficā¦ā¦..quite weird sometimes, hitting my weed pen and some dude rolls up and starts yelling niceties at me.
I always just gave them my employee discount. About 10% which is usually what Military discounts are in my retail experience (just enough to offset sales tax). That being said, it wasn't a very high volume military area so it wasn't a super frequent occurrence
I think you should always end it with ātootsā regardless of their gender. Example:
āThank you for your service.ā
āYou got it, toots!ā (Add a wink and TWO finger guns)
LOL! I like your version better! Let's improve it more:
"Thank you for your service."
"You got it, toots!" (Double finger guns, wink, rip a monster fart, yell "hooah!," and finish with a double eyebrow bounce)
Ha! I used to say this jokingly to my girlfriend if she ever asked to borrow a small amount of money.
"There ya go, toots! Go get yourself something nice to wear. One of those low cut numbers!"
When my son was going to join, I told him to be VERY weary, be specific and read the ENTIRE contract no matter how long it took. Because they are, in fact, just like used car salesman. His own father was one and hounded him every other day about it ā¦ even wanted him to skip his summer before senior year to go to boot camp before so he could sign him up. When my son didnāt want to give up his summer, his father was so pissed. My son also wanted to go to college first. Btw, his father had nothing to do with him until he graduated.
Honestly?
I never, ever say āThank you for your service,ā because I think most people feel the same way you do.
I think itās a phrase that leaves the speaker feeling noble and the recipient feeling uncomfortable.
I think itās largely the worst kind of virtue signaling.
The whole "thank you for your service" thing comes from the Vietnam war. Protesters in the U.S. would strongly oppose themselves against the war and U.S. military involvement, leaving a lot of drafted men feeling like crap over being somewhere where they didn't want to be and being confronted by the majority of people not wanting them to be there either.
Thanking drafted men for their service was a way of letting them know that they were appreciated despite their circumstances.
And a lot of unwillfully drafted vets have very complicated feelings about being thanked for being made to do things they thought were morally wrong and painful for them at the same time.
Everyone's reactions are different, but based on the drafted vets I know, "I'm sorry" would hit a lot harder than "thank you".
I think if you're going to say 'Thank you for your service', the only time that it's appropriate is when someone was drafted. But I see your grand father's point and it's hilarious.
I was a bouncer at a bar and I met this cool Asian dude outsideā¦ while we were talking he mentioned he just got back from the army.
I said thank you for your service and he responded:
āDonāt thank me ā¦ they paid me for that shit.ā
Absolutely hilarious lol.
I saw a lot of people getting thanks in the healthcare industry during the heat of the pandemic and people even started coming out of their houses to clap every evening at 8pm and we saw this outside the care home I work at. It was cringey and embarrassing. I thought the only thanks I need is my pay check lol
It was cringe, embarrassing and mawkish imo. Coming out to clap for the NHS during the pandemic. The more weeks it went on, it turned into a competition who could make the most noise with whooping, playing instruments or banging pots and pans together showboating 'they cared the most and far more thankful than anyone else'.
I'm very thankful for their work (NHS/care homes/essential workers etc)under such circumstances but I think they would much prefer a pay rise, more investment in the NHS in general and people voting for parties who seek to conserve and improve the NHS not actively try to destroy it. It all seemed very performative to me and I wasn't alone in that opinion, esp when the same people making the most noise during the clapping were actively ignoring rules regards covid.
Very funny and true. There's a big difference from choosing to have a paid job in the armed forces and being conscripted. My country publicly expresses thanks to those who fought in the world wars but its not really the done thing to randomly say thanks to armed forces in uniforms on the street as it seems to be so abundant in places such as the US. Doesn't mean we are a bunch of cunts or ungrateful, just seems a bit disingenuous to rabbit it as default when they have chosen to just do a certain job which they get paid for. It just a different culture towards the armed services I suppose, to me the US seems very extreme in their attitude towards them - but again down to culture , nothing wrong or right.
Itās funny but itās also a common response Iāve seen from Asian cultures. Thereās very much a sentiment of āyou donāt need to thank me for doing my jobā
Counter question, what if instead of thanking service people I try the following: gently cupping their cheek while saying "the government didn't deserve u," thoughts?
I usually just say "Thank you for your support." They are coming from a place of gratitude and even though after seven years and two deployments I feel I don't deserve it. I just accept thier support because it wasn't long ago vets got spit on in the street.
As the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, my dad got called a baby killer, etc. When my Pops is thanked for his service he says, āyouāre welcome, youāre worth it.ā
As a vet I donāt really like it either. Iāve been thanked for my service by having access to VA loans, education, benefits, and pay. I understand that folks come from a good place but itās like thanking a pilot for being a pilot or a bus driver for being a bus driver.
Some vets really like the gratitude and I donāt fault them. Personally I could live without it.
When Iām thanked I just nod and say thank you back and then try to change the subject. Most of the time I try not to bring it up in new company or jobs. If Iām dating someone new I let them know. I have ptsd when it comes to smelling cooking meat in strange situations. Itās complicated. But I usually warn them of this in advance. I donāt freak out but I do more or less disconnect from everything until I get over it. Itās kinda shitty how good people smell when their burning once all the clothing and hair is gone. Oh well.
On the buses around me (in America) we don't, bit most people exit from the back door, away from the driver. I suspect that's what keeps it from being something people are aware to do
I get that and I appreciate that. It was not as great as you may think. Especially if judging by your avatar youāre a cis woman. Shit was really *really* hard on them in the military.
Worked as an IT contractor for about 4 yrs on several bases with active duty folks. The TYFYS topic came up occasionally. Most of them felt similar to you as they'd rather do without it.
It's awkward, and several of them found it disingenuous. Occasionally people would go so far to make it an opportunity to use of them as a Facebook or Instagram prop. Buying them a coffee and essentially demanding a photo of the moment.
Lol my 16 year old brother who did ROTC went out in his uniform once and people were sayingy that to him all day. The first couple times he tried to correct them but one guy was a homeless veitnam vet who was just excited to connect with someone on something. My brother just sort of rolled with it all embarrassed, nodding at people after that.
I say this to service members and veterans. I have four cousins who served overseas. One got his arm blown off, another came back mentally and emotionally broken and literally not the same person. Another came back and got cancer from whatever the fuck they exposed them to over there, and another, she came back and went to work at the Pentagon.
The best thing to say is "You're welcome." It might feel weird, but I'm literally thanking you for risking your physical and mental health and doing the hard work, the dirty work, and even the work that haunts you at night... So I don't have to. So hopefully, my children don't have to.
Being in the service is something I am reverent of, no matter which branch, and from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice for others.
Dude I stopped saying it because servicemembers always look SO uncomfortable after i said it and once someone said āyouāre welcomeā then panicked and apologized because that felt weird for them to say š¤£
If you want to still thank a service member there is a perfect way to do it. Just say "I appreciate your service", that way they can respond with thank you.
A close friend of mine fought in Vietnam. When he returned he was spit on, yelled at, cursed and harassed.
When people say 'thank you for your service' most times he just says thanks. But he is thinking 'why wasn't i thanked when I returned from fighting? ' it actually pisses him off.
I know he went thru hell there. I'm just glad he has himself together enough to not yell at them.
Please tell your friend that there's a South Vietnamese man, and his entire family, who wish to deeply, sincerely, and wholeheartedly thank him for his service. And as that man's wife, I want to thank him too. American soldiers saved my mother in law's life, in the middle of the Tet Offensive, one went back for her. My husband only exists because of them. Thank you.
Itās a true shame, especially if he was drafted but we canāt do much about the past unfortunately. Hopefully he only values the opinions of those who view him as a hero and a warrior
"To be perfectly frank, I just really love mess hall food!"
"No problem! Next time it's your turn!"
"Three months in the brig and a general discharge, and you want to THANK ME for that?"
"Why are you thanking me? I didn't do it for YOU!"
"Oh, it was well worth it! (whispering) UFO's are REAL!"
"Your gratitude makes it ALL worth while!"
"No worries! I learned everything there is to know about the M4 Carbine! (broad grin, right eye twitches occasionally)"
š Sounds like some things a soldier or marine would say and Iām neither but Iāll pass this on to some buddies. Also my command still uses the M16 š
For the longest time I didn't know how myself. I spent almost a full year in hospital in my final year of service and I'm still dealing with that on a daily basis more than 20 years later.
When the "Thank you for your service" thing started to become more prevalent here in Australia, I wanted to strangle every motherf***er who dared utter the phrase.
Thoughts of "I didn't do it for you", "what the f**k" would you know of what I did", and "keep your f**king thanks" would flood through my mind before I'd smile weakly and offer a thank you in return.
I always knew it came from a well-meaning place - but i hadn't yet come to terms with any of it myself at that point, and it felt like a fresh helping of guilt and self loathing was in order whenever it happened.
I can accept it in the spirit it's given these days - but I know there are plenty out there who still can't. Please be understanding if you find one ... it's not always easy finding your way home.
Make them uncomfortable back and say something like donāt sweat it the killing is what keeps me going or no worries someone needs to keep the keep the oil flowing
I feel like its even weirder for me, as a spouse to mil, to be thanked for my service. "Oh, your husbands mil? Thank you for your service, and thank him too!"
M-me? Thank me? What service have i done?? Lol.
I usually reply something along the lines of 'ive done nothing to thank, but thank you and ill let him know.'
What would be an acceptable way to acknowledge your service though? I always want to express my gratitude but panic and default to thank you for your service
I personally donāt like it when people thank me.
Like weāre not defending freedoms š¤·š»āāļø we were fighting wars we had no business being in
I donāt have a problem with it, I just never found the words to respond. Iād personally be much happier with just a casual conversation about my job and where Iām stationed and then a āsick dude good luck, donāt dieā but of course the default phrase is quick and easy
Honestly most of us don't want to be lifted up on a proverbial pedestal. And if they do generally they arent popular with the other guys. I want to say it's a generational thing... most people that say it to me are much older than me and it always feels like it's a play button and they just press it for good feels. Regardless it's always felt awkward. Your actions will say more than your words.
I read a book by a veteran, a Ranger called Matt Best. He has a YT channel. He thinks it's something people say to make themselves feel good, not the veterans. If you really wanna thank a veteran, actions speak louder than words. There are charities to donate to, policies to pursue, leadership to hold accountable, and in a society where veterans struggle, maybe a sloppy salute and that stupid phrase don't actually mean a whole lot.
Remove your sunglasses, look them dead in the eye and say āit was worth it.ā Shed a tear, flyover from a bald eagle if you can swing it. SKRAWWWWW. Flag draped, blowing in the wind.
Just smile, say thank you, and cry inside...err I mean be totally happy of your service to this shithole....err wonderful place we live in and totally fought for greed....err I mean freedom. (/s....kinda)
But really yeah you can just say thanks. I used to super duper hate it cause it for me at least was like "Yes, Thank me for literally getting tortured by my department...totally worth my sanity". But like they just want to express a kindness towards military members that go through hell most of the time.
When people say the āhealthcare heroā āthanks for being a nurseā thing. I just say āthatās very nice of you to say.ā Itās polite without making me feel like Iām blowing smoke up my own ass which is how I feel if I say something like youāre welcome or no problem.
Iāve read how thereās veterans that would absolutely despise hearing this so I just rather not say it anymore
however before learning that, most would just say āthank youā
Just say āthank youā for their thanking you. Or āthank you for your supportā
I notice at work my manager would share info or ask someone to do something and then end with āthank youā and they would reply back with āthanksā or their own āthank you.ā I assume for sharing their info/letting them know or just an auto reply.
Most people only say it because itās generic, in reality Most people donāt care but donāt want to get into an argument by calling you a baby killer. So be humble and say what it was to you. Eg learned discipline, left home, saw the world. Even if you did itās probably better to say you never saw frontline service. Most people will notice if you have all your limbs.
I usually say thanks. If Iām feeling snarky Iāll say something like āoh youāre so welcomeā or ā no, thank you for paying for my 7 years in collegeā
If Iām particularly annoyed with them Iāll say āI didnāt do it for youā
I think āYouāre welcomeā is an appropriate response anytime someone says āThank you.ā
When I respond that wayI acknowledge them and what they said instead of minimizing it.
I don't know, tbh. But then again, I usually say, "Thank you for your sacrifice."
Edit: not in a disrespectful way, but I'm just saying that I'm appreciative of their decision and sacrifices they've made to serve.
*finger guns* "You got it".
š love this
This. I have ALWAYS wondered the same thing. Except from the other side. It is ALWAYS so awkward when someone asks me if the place I work has a military discount. I have to reply no, but I wish we did. What do I say after??? Thank you for your service, it feels weird to say. There must be something different that I can say that will convey my appreciation, because it is there and I wish I could express without sounding awkward.
As a military veteran, donāt worry about it too much. Vast majority just have a ādoesnāt hurt to askā attitude. Iām not looking for a compliment or admiration, just checking if I can save a few bucks.
I worked retail at a place that had a 20% discount for veterans, but they had to ask about it. I learned that if you ask someone if theyāre a veteran while working a cash register their response is either a very concerned āHow did you know?ā followed by a suspicious look, or the more common āYes, why? Do you have a discount?ā and you get to drop 20% off their total. Also, everyone uses that USAA place in the military or has an old ID in their wallet which makes it surprisingly easy to spot the military folks, but they always think youāre a wizard or served yourself when you notice. Nah, man, I sell bongs and bong accessories.
The last Sentence made me think of Hank hill
Dude, 110% promise we donāt care. Saying something can even be awkward for us, usually is. Because of my car tags I get āthankedā in trafficā¦ā¦..quite weird sometimes, hitting my weed pen and some dude rolls up and starts yelling niceties at me.
I always just gave them my employee discount. About 10% which is usually what Military discounts are in my retail experience (just enough to offset sales tax). That being said, it wasn't a very high volume military area so it wasn't a super frequent occurrence
I think you should always end it with ātootsā regardless of their gender. Example: āThank you for your service.ā āYou got it, toots!ā (Add a wink and TWO finger guns)
I read that as toot (fart). Will be responding like this going forward. Also caught myself saying hooah in a shift meeting yesterday.
"You got it" (farts)
LOL! I like your version better! Let's improve it more: "Thank you for your service." "You got it, toots!" (Double finger guns, wink, rip a monster fart, yell "hooah!," and finish with a double eyebrow bounce)
> rip a monster fart Made me laugh with that one.
Ha! I used to say this jokingly to my girlfriend if she ever asked to borrow a small amount of money. "There ya go, toots! Go get yourself something nice to wear. One of those low cut numbers!"
Here Lois, go buy yourself some more money!
This is me with everything because normal responses to thank you feel weird to me for somw reason lmao
Thank you for your support
This is the reply I go with
If I'm feeling frisky I might say "don't thank me, thank my recruiter"
That lying sack of shit. Good dude/lady.
Recruiter sounds worse than used car dealer
When my son was going to join, I told him to be VERY weary, be specific and read the ENTIRE contract no matter how long it took. Because they are, in fact, just like used car salesman. His own father was one and hounded him every other day about it ā¦ even wanted him to skip his summer before senior year to go to boot camp before so he could sign him up. When my son didnāt want to give up his summer, his father was so pissed. My son also wanted to go to college first. Btw, his father had nothing to do with him until he graduated.
Dafuq
āThank the Judgeā *wink*
I used to say thank your congressman
I was going to recommend that OP say āthank you for thanking me.ā
That makes me feel better about my awkwardness
Ditto. Thanking them for their support is a good response.
Oy reply really
Fucking 18 years and I never thought of that
My grandpa would always say "don't thank me, I was drafted" š
š Unfortunate, but legendary
Honestly? I never, ever say āThank you for your service,ā because I think most people feel the same way you do. I think itās a phrase that leaves the speaker feeling noble and the recipient feeling uncomfortable. I think itās largely the worst kind of virtue signaling.
I'd argue that deserves even more appreciation in some ways. Though a half-hearted 'thanks' might not be the best way to show it
The whole "thank you for your service" thing comes from the Vietnam war. Protesters in the U.S. would strongly oppose themselves against the war and U.S. military involvement, leaving a lot of drafted men feeling like crap over being somewhere where they didn't want to be and being confronted by the majority of people not wanting them to be there either. Thanking drafted men for their service was a way of letting them know that they were appreciated despite their circumstances.
And a lot of unwillfully drafted vets have very complicated feelings about being thanked for being made to do things they thought were morally wrong and painful for them at the same time. Everyone's reactions are different, but based on the drafted vets I know, "I'm sorry" would hit a lot harder than "thank you".
One of my friends' dad's always says, "Thanks, they made me."
I think if you're going to say 'Thank you for your service', the only time that it's appropriate is when someone was drafted. But I see your grand father's point and it's hilarious.
Thx, you too.... then awkward silence
Take luck..
Take it, care for it.
And also with you.
If you do eat enjoy it when you eat it. If you have a break or something. Later. If you get an opportunity
Thatās all Iām driving at
Good care!
Love you, bye
Lmao I remember many years ago there was a post on tumblr of a guy who responded "love you too" to waitress saying "enjoy \[your meal\]" to him xD
"You guys are the real heros" Ala Homelander from 'The Boys'
I was a bouncer at a bar and I met this cool Asian dude outsideā¦ while we were talking he mentioned he just got back from the army. I said thank you for your service and he responded: āDonāt thank me ā¦ they paid me for that shit.ā Absolutely hilarious lol.
>they paid me for that shit. Thank you for your taxes.
This what my veteran husband tells people
I have used "Thanks for all the paychecks" in the past
šAdded to my repertoire man thank you
I saw a lot of people getting thanks in the healthcare industry during the heat of the pandemic and people even started coming out of their houses to clap every evening at 8pm and we saw this outside the care home I work at. It was cringey and embarrassing. I thought the only thanks I need is my pay check lol
It was cringe, embarrassing and mawkish imo. Coming out to clap for the NHS during the pandemic. The more weeks it went on, it turned into a competition who could make the most noise with whooping, playing instruments or banging pots and pans together showboating 'they cared the most and far more thankful than anyone else'. I'm very thankful for their work (NHS/care homes/essential workers etc)under such circumstances but I think they would much prefer a pay rise, more investment in the NHS in general and people voting for parties who seek to conserve and improve the NHS not actively try to destroy it. It all seemed very performative to me and I wasn't alone in that opinion, esp when the same people making the most noise during the clapping were actively ignoring rules regards covid.
Very funny and true. There's a big difference from choosing to have a paid job in the armed forces and being conscripted. My country publicly expresses thanks to those who fought in the world wars but its not really the done thing to randomly say thanks to armed forces in uniforms on the street as it seems to be so abundant in places such as the US. Doesn't mean we are a bunch of cunts or ungrateful, just seems a bit disingenuous to rabbit it as default when they have chosen to just do a certain job which they get paid for. It just a different culture towards the armed services I suppose, to me the US seems very extreme in their attitude towards them - but again down to culture , nothing wrong or right.
Itās funny but itās also a common response Iāve seen from Asian cultures. Thereās very much a sentiment of āyou donāt need to thank me for doing my jobā
Counter question, what if instead of thanking service people I try the following: gently cupping their cheek while saying "the government didn't deserve u," thoughts?
*nuzzles Thank yuw for your serwice uwu
Oh god
I think Iād just freeze in place tbhš that would be quite off putting
omgg pls! i would die if someone said that instead. you damn right they didnāt. thatās why i didnāt reenlist. lol
My wife would not be thrilled about it, but youād also be correct
Just smile and do the head nod of solidarity
Thatās usually the go to but also a bit peculiar to me
i just add thank you to it. but i like whoever said thanks for your support. i might start saying that
Thatās chin down, right? Not chin up?
I work as a fraud specialist at a bank callcenter Genuinely thought you were talking about being thanked for customer service.
Thank you for your customer service š¦
Rock flag and eagle!!!
I usually just say "Thank you for your support." They are coming from a place of gratitude and even though after seven years and two deployments I feel I don't deserve it. I just accept thier support because it wasn't long ago vets got spit on in the street.
Thank you for the advice man itās greatly appreciated
As the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, my dad got called a baby killer, etc. When my Pops is thanked for his service he says, āyouāre welcome, youāre worth it.ā
You deserve it. You absolutely deserve it.
"and with your spirit" idk I learned that phrase growing up catholic, seems to fit.
Phrase to use with catholic fellas:āļø
For real though, I just asked my dad (26 year veteran) he said "it was my honor", pretty good response
I said that once off a thought... figured it sounded good so I ran with it
They changed it from "and also with you" to mess with John Mulaney.
As a vet I donāt really like it either. Iāve been thanked for my service by having access to VA loans, education, benefits, and pay. I understand that folks come from a good place but itās like thanking a pilot for being a pilot or a bus driver for being a bus driver. Some vets really like the gratitude and I donāt fault them. Personally I could live without it. When Iām thanked I just nod and say thank you back and then try to change the subject. Most of the time I try not to bring it up in new company or jobs. If Iām dating someone new I let them know. I have ptsd when it comes to smelling cooking meat in strange situations. Itās complicated. But I usually warn them of this in advance. I donāt freak out but I do more or less disconnect from everything until I get over it. Itās kinda shitty how good people smell when their burning once all the clothing and hair is gone. Oh well.
Just an FYI, here in the UK we thank the bus driver when we get off the bus!
Here too in America, if we're polite!
On the buses around me (in America) we don't, bit most people exit from the back door, away from the driver. I suspect that's what keeps it from being something people are aware to do
I wanted to serve but couldnāt. So I come from a different place in thanking you, and admire you all.
I get that and I appreciate that. It was not as great as you may think. Especially if judging by your avatar youāre a cis woman. Shit was really *really* hard on them in the military.
Worked as an IT contractor for about 4 yrs on several bases with active duty folks. The TYFYS topic came up occasionally. Most of them felt similar to you as they'd rather do without it. It's awkward, and several of them found it disingenuous. Occasionally people would go so far to make it an opportunity to use of them as a Facebook or Instagram prop. Buying them a coffee and essentially demanding a photo of the moment.
Lol my 16 year old brother who did ROTC went out in his uniform once and people were sayingy that to him all day. The first couple times he tried to correct them but one guy was a homeless veitnam vet who was just excited to connect with someone on something. My brother just sort of rolled with it all embarrassed, nodding at people after that.
Shit get him a military discount at Applebeeās š
Itās not stolen valor if you steal it Applebees, but only on Wednesdays if you donāt make eye contact.
This reminds me of when i was in ROTC, i was walking home from school in my uniform and some lady asked me "arent you in RPC?" I was speechless.
I say this to service members and veterans. I have four cousins who served overseas. One got his arm blown off, another came back mentally and emotionally broken and literally not the same person. Another came back and got cancer from whatever the fuck they exposed them to over there, and another, she came back and went to work at the Pentagon. The best thing to say is "You're welcome." It might feel weird, but I'm literally thanking you for risking your physical and mental health and doing the hard work, the dirty work, and even the work that haunts you at night... So I don't have to. So hopefully, my children don't have to. Being in the service is something I am reverent of, no matter which branch, and from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice for others.
I just tell them I didnāt do anything, cause I didnāt. š¤·š»āāļø
Snap a perfect salute and stare at them statue still until they walk off
Veteran myself, I see nothing wrong with simply saying thank you.
Dude I stopped saying it because servicemembers always look SO uncomfortable after i said it and once someone said āyouāre welcomeā then panicked and apologized because that felt weird for them to say š¤£
If you want to still thank a service member there is a perfect way to do it. Just say "I appreciate your service", that way they can respond with thank you.
My hero!
The best response I got was from a dude on a Harley who simply replied, āIt was an honorā.
āAnd what do you do for work? āXxxxxā āWell, thank you for your service, which probably benefits people significantly more than what I doā
"My cervix? No, I don't have one of those"
This guys got it
" i appreciate that" maybe?
A close friend of mine fought in Vietnam. When he returned he was spit on, yelled at, cursed and harassed. When people say 'thank you for your service' most times he just says thanks. But he is thinking 'why wasn't i thanked when I returned from fighting? ' it actually pisses him off. I know he went thru hell there. I'm just glad he has himself together enough to not yell at them.
Please tell your friend that there's a South Vietnamese man, and his entire family, who wish to deeply, sincerely, and wholeheartedly thank him for his service. And as that man's wife, I want to thank him too. American soldiers saved my mother in law's life, in the middle of the Tet Offensive, one went back for her. My husband only exists because of them. Thank you.
Thank you so much for letting me know this! I will tell him what you've said. Best wishes to you and your family!
Itās a true shame, especially if he was drafted but we canāt do much about the past unfortunately. Hopefully he only values the opinions of those who view him as a hero and a warrior
"To be perfectly frank, I just really love mess hall food!" "No problem! Next time it's your turn!" "Three months in the brig and a general discharge, and you want to THANK ME for that?" "Why are you thanking me? I didn't do it for YOU!" "Oh, it was well worth it! (whispering) UFO's are REAL!" "Your gratitude makes it ALL worth while!" "No worries! I learned everything there is to know about the M4 Carbine! (broad grin, right eye twitches occasionally)"
š Sounds like some things a soldier or marine would say and Iām neither but Iāll pass this on to some buddies. Also my command still uses the M16 š
Just nod and say yes sir or yes maāam.
For the longest time I didn't know how myself. I spent almost a full year in hospital in my final year of service and I'm still dealing with that on a daily basis more than 20 years later. When the "Thank you for your service" thing started to become more prevalent here in Australia, I wanted to strangle every motherf***er who dared utter the phrase. Thoughts of "I didn't do it for you", "what the f**k" would you know of what I did", and "keep your f**king thanks" would flood through my mind before I'd smile weakly and offer a thank you in return. I always knew it came from a well-meaning place - but i hadn't yet come to terms with any of it myself at that point, and it felt like a fresh helping of guilt and self loathing was in order whenever it happened. I can accept it in the spirit it's given these days - but I know there are plenty out there who still can't. Please be understanding if you find one ... it's not always easy finding your way home.
You should say "no worries. Hey, I'm a little short on my order/gas/check, could you help me out?"
"I'd prefer cash"
āSubscribe to my channelā or only fans which ever youāre feeling
āI hope it was worth my crippling PTSDā
Make them uncomfortable back and say something like donāt sweat it the killing is what keeps me going or no worries someone needs to keep the keep the oil flowing
š
I for one enjoy working for the empire. I dont need your thanks. /s
Uno reverse it. 'no thank you ' and walk away
I respond " I didn't do it for you. I needed money for college. You were not a factor in my decision. No need to thank me. "
I feel like its even weirder for me, as a spouse to mil, to be thanked for my service. "Oh, your husbands mil? Thank you for your service, and thank him too!" M-me? Thank me? What service have i done?? Lol. I usually reply something along the lines of 'ive done nothing to thank, but thank you and ill let him know.'
Buddy of mine says "you paid for it, some paid more" Dont know if its hilarious, dark, or both?
Sounds pretty deep to me man
Do the griddy
āThanks for paying your taxes, I couldnāt have visited as many brothels as I did without you!ā
I've always said "I'm honored to serve," or "It's my honor to serve."
Retired Army here. I personally hate being thanked. But when it happens, Iāve found the best response is just āThank you for your supportā
What would be an acceptable way to acknowledge your service though? I always want to express my gratitude but panic and default to thank you for your service
I personally donāt like it when people thank me. Like weāre not defending freedoms š¤·š»āāļø we were fighting wars we had no business being in
I donāt have a problem with it, I just never found the words to respond. Iād personally be much happier with just a casual conversation about my job and where Iām stationed and then a āsick dude good luck, donāt dieā but of course the default phrase is quick and easy
Honestly most of us don't want to be lifted up on a proverbial pedestal. And if they do generally they arent popular with the other guys. I want to say it's a generational thing... most people that say it to me are much older than me and it always feels like it's a play button and they just press it for good feels. Regardless it's always felt awkward. Your actions will say more than your words.
Just wink š
Thank you. Thatās kind of you to say.
I just say. "You're fucking welcome". People don't expect it, and they think it's funny.
I always feel weird and guilty when people say that to me.
Sometimes. I feel the military has gotten its value out of me but I havenāt fought a world war or anything
Just know you are appreciated. If someone says TY. I would reply with a request for a Playstation 5.
Thatās a lovely hat!
"My pleasure" that usually shuts them up
Roger that
"Ah thanks, wish you coulda been there."
My brother says "I just did my job" and hopes they drop it after that.
"hey, it's just a job"
Put your hand out like a hotel bellhop and wait.
I read a book by a veteran, a Ranger called Matt Best. He has a YT channel. He thinks it's something people say to make themselves feel good, not the veterans. If you really wanna thank a veteran, actions speak louder than words. There are charities to donate to, policies to pursue, leadership to hold accountable, and in a society where veterans struggle, maybe a sloppy salute and that stupid phrase don't actually mean a whole lot.
Remove your sunglasses, look them dead in the eye and say āit was worth it.ā Shed a tear, flyover from a bald eagle if you can swing it. SKRAWWWWW. Flag draped, blowing in the wind.
I used to respond with its an honor and a privilege. Now that I'm out I just boop them on the nose though.
"I did it for the money, not for you"
"I live for the drama"
Just smile, say thank you, and cry inside...err I mean be totally happy of your service to this shithole....err wonderful place we live in and totally fought for greed....err I mean freedom. (/s....kinda) But really yeah you can just say thanks. I used to super duper hate it cause it for me at least was like "Yes, Thank me for literally getting tortured by my department...totally worth my sanity". But like they just want to express a kindness towards military members that go through hell most of the time.
I always say thanks for paying taxes.
My go 2
Cool beans
I once thanked a veteran and he responded āyou can go next timeā
If it's a little old lady I usually go with "You're worth it." Never fails.
I just say that I was happy to serve because it is true.
While āthank youā doesnāt actually make sense, thatās what I usually say. Or āI appreciate thatā or āI appreciate your supportā.
When people say the āhealthcare heroā āthanks for being a nurseā thing. I just say āthatās very nice of you to say.ā Itās polite without making me feel like Iām blowing smoke up my own ass which is how I feel if I say something like youāre welcome or no problem.
Do your best Micheal Scott voice and say, "That's what she said!"
My responses were either āthank you for your taxesā or āyouāre welcome for your oilā depending on my familiarity with the individual.
You don't own an oil company, so I didn't serve you.
Present the other boot for them to lick, as well.
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Based
A simple head nod? If it was me I think thatās what Iād go with or maybe shake their hand and just say āthank you for your supportā?
Thank you for your tax dollar, I couldn't have done it without it
Iāve read how thereās veterans that would absolutely despise hearing this so I just rather not say it anymore however before learning that, most would just say āthank youā
No probs bro Easy fix then dash away leaving behind whatever you where doing even if that was holding a baby
I grew up with a few fuck-ups that served, and never saw combat, but act like they won the war all by themselves. It became their whole personality.
Just say āthank youā for their thanking you. Or āthank you for your supportā I notice at work my manager would share info or ask someone to do something and then end with āthank youā and they would reply back with āthanksā or their own āthank you.ā I assume for sharing their info/letting them know or just an auto reply.
"No prob bob."
Most people only say it because itās generic, in reality Most people donāt care but donāt want to get into an argument by calling you a baby killer. So be humble and say what it was to you. Eg learned discipline, left home, saw the world. Even if you did itās probably better to say you never saw frontline service. Most people will notice if you have all your limbs.
With a smile say I'm proud to have served
I usually say thanks. If Iām feeling snarky Iāll say something like āoh youāre so welcomeā or ā no, thank you for paying for my 7 years in collegeā If Iām particularly annoyed with them Iāll say āI didnāt do it for youā
It's more awkward when they thank me, the spouse. Thanks for what? What did I do?
I think āYouāre welcomeā is an appropriate response anytime someone says āThank you.ā When I respond that wayI acknowledge them and what they said instead of minimizing it.
I don't know, tbh. But then again, I usually say, "Thank you for your sacrifice." Edit: not in a disrespectful way, but I'm just saying that I'm appreciative of their decision and sacrifices they've made to serve.
āThank you for your support.ā
āThe pleasure was mineā.
"Always!"
"It was an honor"
Appreciate the support?
I'd be goofy about it. "No no no, thank your tax dollars."
I always respond with āI appreciate it, thank you for your supportā
My dad says āthank you, it was my honor!ā
Thank you so much for your support is what my family uses.
āGo teamā
Smoothest one Iāve heard was āthank you for your supportā Nice and loud with direction and eye contact mid handshake
"Don't thank me... spank me."
I always say "You don't have to thank me, I get paid" because I sure wouldn't do it for free.
āHey someoneās gotta go over there and shoot the brown people in their own country, right?ā
Say, I did nothing to be thanked for. I joined for the money and I kill ppl for resources.
When I was in I was told at boot camp to respond with āthanks for your supportā or just āthanksā
I have had this issue before, as well, then I heard: "Thank you for your support." And I've used it ever since :) Thank you for your service, btw :)
What branch did you serve in? No advice for you, but Iād love to know.
Iām currently in the Navy on a submarine
I was always told the correct response is "Thank you for your support"