Would you let some one buy your meal ?

**tapout** · 03-05-06, 11:20 PM

short answer, no, i dont allow people to pay for my meal because im a cop.

long answer, when working i tend to only eat at restaurants which are "police friendly", meaning free or discounted, not because of the discount, but because i know i can trust the establishment.

where i work, youre gonna get some horrible things done to your food if you order in uniform. the police friendly establishments are all family run by good people that i trust enough to handle my meals. unfortunately there have been times when ive arrested family members of owners of restaurants that i frequent...but the owners understand that is our job, and never take it personal. it is only a conflict in duty if you allow it to become one.

wherever i go i always attempt to pay, i never enter a restaurant without money, and when im given a discount or told by the owner that my money is no good there, i leave a big tip, and usually drop a the rest into whatever charity fund jar is sitting on the counter by the register.

**jmur5074** · 03-05-06, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by katiemh

You do on an H&K too.

No worries, I have a very firm grip.

Anyone else getting....warm?

Now -

**Kimble** · 03-06-06, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by besafe2

Just curious if after you had just finished a meal a citizen came up & thanked you for all you do then offerd to pay the bill would you accept ?

I was not on duty on Christmas Eve, but two officers from the city I live in where, and were eating in the same resturaunt my family and I were in. I picked up their tab, and they were going to refuse until they learned I was a reserve deputy.

**TXCharlie** · 03-06-06, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by katiemh

With a citizen you never know if they're dating the uniform or the person wearing it... although.. I guess there are holster sniffers with a badge too.

Well, I don't make it a habit to sniff holsters, but I have to admit: Those uniforms do look awfully date-able if they're filled out nicely in the right places, so I guess you've got me there.

.

**Terminator** · 03-06-06, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by besafe2

Just curious if after you had just finished a meal a citizen came up & thanked you for all you do then offerd to pay the bill would you accept ?

Yes, I would. In fact, that happened to me the other day. While on court recess another officer and myself went into a restaurant. When the waitress came back with the bill, she told us not to worry about it, it had been paid for by the gentleman at the far end of the bar (she then pointed him out). The other officer and I went up to this man, shook his hand and thanked him. He then thanked us for all that we do. It was one of the nicest gestures and moments I've ever had in my career. I didn't know this man at all, never even seen him before...it was an awesome feeling.

**tapout** · 03-06-06, 04:15 PM

on a side note, if someone has already paid for my meal, rather than make a huge scene at the location about how i cant accept it, ill simply thank them very kindly, let them know i really appreciate the gesture, and go about my day.

**kdm0409** · 03-06-06, 05:28 PM

I have had my meal paid for before...there was not a scene made, I actually have no idea who paid.. I told the guy at the reigster to take my $$ and give it as a nice tip to the waitress, which he did. My mother makes it a habit that if she sees an officer or two alone on holidays she will pay for their meals, since they are not with family...She says that it is her way to give back to those that protect and serve... She says she knows that we all go through a lot and that she wouldn't know how to handle any of it and she doesn't ask how we do it, but she is glad we all do the job we do.

**TXCharlie** · 03-06-06, 10:03 PM

WHen I do ride-along's I usually pick up the tab for whoever I'm riding with, but it's a win-win deal, because they always put my meal on the discount plan too - so it's not like I'm out anything

**Retdetsgt** · 03-06-06, 10:08 PM

I can buy my own meal. I wouldn't make a scene if someone did it w/o me knowing it first, but I would tell the cashier that in the future, please don't accept money for my meal or anything else.

**TXCharlie** · 03-07-06, 12:00 PM

Retdetsgt, you're just too damn ethical

**Retdetsgt** · 03-07-06, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie

Retdetsgt, you're just too damn ethical

Not really, it's just that the old adage, "There ain't no such thing as free lunch" is true.

There are lots of ways to get bit in the ass on this job without leaving yourself open on minor stuff like this. I've seen resturant managers come to our mayor's and/or chief's office with receipts before after the officer they'd been being "nice" to didn't respond the way they liked later on.

If someone wants to show support for the police, donate to a police charity or something rather than buy my lunch.

**TXCharlie** · 03-07-06, 12:16 PM

That's a good point - like I told one officer I bought lunch for when he brought that up, if he does me any "special favors" I'll file a complaint against him myself

I don't want the stink that goes along with that on me either, but I guess some people will do anything to get out of a ticket or whatever
.

**danninator** · 03-08-06, 12:58 AM

Only a retired LT from my dept. He's got the bank to buy me some pancakes

**PACMAN** · 03-08-06, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

Not really, it's just that the old adage, "There ain't no such thing as free lunch" is true.

There are lots of ways to get bit in the ass on this job without leaving yourself open on minor stuff like this. I've seen resturant managers come to our mayor's and/or chief's office with receipts before after the officer they'd been being "nice" to didn't respond the way they liked later on.

If someone wants to show support for the police, donate to a police charity or something rather than buy my lunch.

I LOVE "5-0"...carls junior, In"N"out, Mc Donalds...I have no shame....free is good...

MountainCop · 03-08-06, 10:26 AM

Did it once - and happened before I could stop it.

Family rolled their car coming down Hooiser Pass. Everyone OK, but no ride home. Found out that they lived about 5 miles away from me (100 miles from the scene). Took them to the local eatery to relax and get themselves together, and I went back to the office to close out.

Got to the restaurant, they were 1/2 way through, and I ordered something. Finished up, went to pay the bill, and found that the driver (a Marine) had given me a credit for $30.00.

Too late to stop it, so I graciously accepted, and took them home.

And I shared the credit with the rest of the guys on the department.

**StanSwitek** · 03-08-06, 10:43 AM

I would never accept if someone offered. However, 2 different times Ive had waiters advise me that a citize who just lef had picked up my bill. Not much I could do except leave a tip. What can I say except I was worshiped by the public when I was in patrol.

MountainCop · 03-08-06, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Stan Switek

I would never accept if someone offered. However, 2 different times Ive had waiters advise me that a citize who just lef had picked up my bill. Not much I could do except leave a tip. What can I say except I was worshiped by the public when I was in patrol.

Same here

Our local eatery gives us a really tremendous discount... which is greatly appreciated. Not worth fighting over. But I leave enough money to provide for the actual price and a decent tip (e.g.: $10 for a $5.75 tab).

What can I say - they love me