Serviceman refused service in uniform
Can't believe you lot think it ok to smoke in public in uniform. I suppose you think chewing gum in uniform, hands in pockets in uniform etc are all acceptable?
If you are wearing uniform in public, you represent the standards of the service, not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be.
And yes, I do tell that to any service person I see smoking in public in uniform. And no, I don't get anybody trying to punch me - they just stub out their fag.
If you are wearing uniform in public, you represent the standards of the service, not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be.
And yes, I do tell that to any service person I see smoking in public in uniform. And no, I don't get anybody trying to punch me - they just stub out their fag.
Last edited by Trim Stab; 26th Oct 2014 at 05:12.
I'm surprised it has not been mentioned that the army has relaxed it's rules on visible tattoo's. Due to low recruitment they will now take on recruits with tattoo's on their neck and hands, will look lovely outside Buck House 
Trim, nobody has suggested that the serviceman was smoking, he was buying cigarettes. Clearly not the same thing. I never smoked in uniform in public but I certainly bought cigarettes while in uniform, in fact I did so nearly every day of my 22.
As an aside, I was refused alcohol in one or two off licences when in uniform, for exactly the same reasons as this case, i.e. a misunderstanding of licensing law. It happens. I didn't go to the press, I went to another off licence.
People don't half get their knickers in a twist over nothing these days.
As an aside, I was refused alcohol in one or two off licences when in uniform, for exactly the same reasons as this case, i.e. a misunderstanding of licensing law. It happens. I didn't go to the press, I went to another off licence.
People don't half get their knickers in a twist over nothing these days.
I'm surprised it has not been mentioned that the army has relaxed it's rules on visible tattoo's. Due to low recruitment they will now take on recruits with tattoo's on their neck and hands, will look lovely outside Buck House
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" If you are wearing uniform in public, you represent the standards of the service, not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be
It's possibly just as well you, and your BP, never encountered those, in a different era I admit, wearing the M.U dress code....several options were available, non of which quite conformed with the expectations of those whose uniform was always immaculate.
You would, like those who were blissfully unaware, that when working on primary structure and bits of aircraft that rarely saw daylight once constructed, the perceived "grubby low life personal standards" of appearance had no relevance to the standards being imposed by the same low life in the course of their work.....been freely ignored.
You missed a golden opportunity however to " introduce yourself" about 8 months ago, on the M5 heading North just after Strensham services....a group of Para's broken down on the hard shoulder, several of whom were smoking.
Now that meeting would have been entertaining to watch, and listen to.
It's possibly just as well you, and your BP, never encountered those, in a different era I admit, wearing the M.U dress code....several options were available, non of which quite conformed with the expectations of those whose uniform was always immaculate.
You would, like those who were blissfully unaware, that when working on primary structure and bits of aircraft that rarely saw daylight once constructed, the perceived "grubby low life personal standards" of appearance had no relevance to the standards being imposed by the same low life in the course of their work.....been freely ignored.
You missed a golden opportunity however to " introduce yourself" about 8 months ago, on the M5 heading North just after Strensham services....a group of Para's broken down on the hard shoulder, several of whom were smoking.
Now that meeting would have been entertaining to watch, and listen to.
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Why was a soldier in uniform trying to buy cigarettes in the first place? Service people should have pride in service and uniform. Smoking/buying cigarettes in public in uniform is akin to glue-sniffing in uniform, or being drunk in uniform - not illegal, but very definitely bad for the public image of the services. The only place that it should be acceptable to smoke in uniform is when out of public view - e.g. in the mess or, when off duty on overseas ops - though I would prefer that to be banned too.
If (god forbid) I ever had to work in an off-licence or tobacconist, I would refuse to serve anybody in a uniform representing a public service too (i.e. police, military), and I would give them a good earful too about representing their uniform.
If (god forbid) I ever had to work in an off-licence or tobacconist, I would refuse to serve anybody in a uniform representing a public service too (i.e. police, military), and I would give them a good earful too about representing their uniform.
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Personally I thing anyone in any sort of uniform should not be served anything. Ever.
When out of uniform they should also be made to wear signs around their necks with the words "My other clothes are a uniform"
And then not served.
When out of uniform they should also be made to wear signs around their necks with the words "My other clothes are a uniform"
And then not served.
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not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be.
Why are smokers inferior to you? Or more to the point, what makes you so superior to a smoker?
If they were smoking a joint, then I could understand your point - drug abuse is not tolerated in any of the services. But it's a 'straight' cigarette!!! Get off that high horse, man. If somebody wants to poison their body with a legal substance, let them. It's not hurting you if they are outside.
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Storm in an ashtray. A small mistake was made by an employee of a shop, no real harm was done, and an apology, admittedly a pretty pathetic one was issued.
I believe, and I may be wrong as I've never needed to know, that it is illegal to serve alcohol to members of the armed forces in uniform. From there, it is only a small step to think that it may be illegal to serve them cigarettes, however irrational that may seem.
Much as I dislike smoking, people should be allowed to do so in their private space and time. I would not expect to see uniformed members of the services smoking in public, but if they do, I'm not going to let it worry me.
I believe, and I may be wrong as I've never needed to know, that it is illegal to serve alcohol to members of the armed forces in uniform. From there, it is only a small step to think that it may be illegal to serve them cigarettes, however irrational that may seem.
Much as I dislike smoking, people should be allowed to do so in their private space and time. I would not expect to see uniformed members of the services smoking in public, but if they do, I'm not going to let it worry me.
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Trim, nobody has suggested that the serviceman was smoking, he was buying cigarettes. Clearly not the same thing.
........ so - according to TrimStab - if buying ciggies is equivalent to smoking them in public, jolly lucky he wasn't buying condoms!!
I'm surprised it has not been mentioned that the army has relaxed it's rules on visible tattoo's. Due to low recruitment they will now take on recruits with tattoo's on their neck and hands, will look lovely outside Buck House
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What a joyous thread to read on a Sunday morning. 
My thanks to all those contributors who have put a big smile on my face
My thanks to all those contributors who have put a big smile on my face
Can't believe you lot think it ok to smoke in public in uniform. I suppose you think chewing gum in uniform, hands in pockets in uniform etc are all acceptable?
If you are wearing uniform in public, you represent the standards of the service, not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be.
And yes, I do tell that to any service person I see smoking in public in uniform. And no, I don't get anybody trying to punch me - they just stub out their fag.
If you are wearing uniform in public, you represent the standards of the service, not your own grubby low-life personal standards, whatever they may be.
And yes, I do tell that to any service person I see smoking in public in uniform. And no, I don't get anybody trying to punch me - they just stub out their fag.
I happen to have good reason to believe that smoking and drinking in uniform, as well as out, are part and parcel of what being in the Forces is about. Every time I look at photos of Soldiers fighting in Normandy, every other one, it seems, has a fag hanging out of his mouth (cigarette that is!) so if it was good if enough for them in the heat of Battle its good enough for today's Government sponsored warriors!
FB
