Re: Messing
WH
Yes, it may well be true that there are elements you "simply would not get in civillian life" - but we are not in civillian life!! There are also many negative elements to military life that civillians would not put up with, so kindly don't begrudge us a positive aspect.
I think the main thrust of the comments being made here is about the decrease in standards of messes over recent years - no doubt a phrase like "eroding of differentials" might apply in the civillian world!!