Not really suck, just a really stupid question..

[ReverendBSB]

I was helping a customer today and he noticed the dog tags I wear. He asked if I was in the military. I replied no, they are my brothers tags. He asked if my brother was okay. My response "If he was okay, don't you think he would be wearing them right now?"

I didn't say it in a mean way or anything, but I was kind of snippy. I just hate when people ask me personal questions at work. And really, it was a stupid question.

[d962831]

the ignorance of some people is unfathomable. Good job keeping it at snippy, I would've said it in the cruelest way possible.

[Diablo]

I was escorting one of my junior guys to the court house in Norfolk, which contains within it's city limits the largest Naval Base in the world. Whenever we have someone in legal trouble, the command would not only make the sailor in question dress up in uniform, but also his command escort. The duty van ended up MIA after the court proceeding, so we hailed a cab and after we get in the cab driver turns to us...

"You guys in the Navy or something?"

"Oh this? No, we just happen to be two male strippers with highly accurate costumes. We are going to a party at Regent University" To his credit, the Cabbie realized it was a stupid question and laughed it off. Seriously, 50% of the city is employed by the navy in some fashion.

[marasbaras]

You know, folks, sometimes people are just trying to be friendly.

In the case of the dog tags, perhaps they were feebly trying to show concern.

In the case of the cabbie, they just yak. That's what they all do in every city I've ever taken a cab.

[Foxglove8778]

I don't see it so much as a stupid question as thoughtless, insensitive, ignorant and none of his business. He managed to hit on a topic that was painful to you.

I wish your brother was okay.

[SummerI]

My dh is in the military and I wear his tags. I don't get why that question would be horrible. I often get asked if my dh is deployed.

[bigjimaz]

Well, considering there are almost 4,500 auctions running on eBay right now for dog tags, not everyone wearing them earned them by belonging to the service or being related to someone who did. However, this does not mean that people need to go around asking insensitive questions, especially in a time of war. Keep your head up ReverendBSB. You did nothing wrong.

[cinema guy]

My dh is in the military and I wear his tags.

Shouldn't he be wearing the tags? I thought they were worn all the time.

[harper]

Some military personnel have multiple sets of dog tags. Some make certain to tag their boots (want to make sure they get their parts back).
And some people wear a set of tags of a loved one to show that they care, that the person is missed while deployed.

[IHateStupidCustomers]

You know, folks, sometimes people are just trying to be friendly.

In the case of the dog tags, perhaps they were feebly trying to show concern.

In the case of the cabbie, they just yak. That's what they all do in every city I've ever taken a cab.

That could definitely be true...but in my opinion that is way too touchy of a situation to make any comment on. I wouldn't have said a word about the dog tags. I can understand maybe saying "are you in the military" but if I got an answer other than "yes" I would shut up.

[Emrld]

See I didn't know all this about dog tags . . .so I would have been the insensitive jerk asking questions because I didn't know any better.
Of course now that I have this information I won't ask anyone that I don't personally know about the dog tags they wear.

ok that is a bit sarcastic but it is true . . .until I read this post I wouldn't have known any better.
I now realize it could be really sensitive for someone to be asked about dog tags . . .but prior to this I wouldn't have known and would have asked as one human reaching out to another. (seeing you as a person not just a robot doing a job)

[SummerI]

Shouldn't he be wearing the tags? I thought they were worn all the time.

He has multiple sets and when he is gone I like to wear one set. I also have an extra tag on my key ring. I don't know about other military family members but it helps me feel close to him when he is gone.

[Titi]

He has multiple sets and when he is gone I like to wear one set. I also have an extra tag on my key ring. I don't know about other military family members but it helps me feel close to him when he is gone.

I did the same thing when my husband was away and I will again when he goes away again. It does make you feel closer.

My husband gave me my set when we got engaged right before he went to Korea for that very reason.

[DesignFox]

I dunno...I don't see the person as being insensitive. I think they really were trying to show concern. But then again, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt in situations like that. I would not have snipped the guy's head off over it.

I agree that, usually, I don't ask people personal questions while they are working, but I've had customers chat it up with me- I prefer the personal questions to being ignored or treated like a robot. If there is something that someone asks that I don't wish to discuss, I simply tell them that I prefer not to talk about it.

I am sorry to hear about your loss ReverendBSB.

[PepperElf]

If he was okay, don't you think he would be wearing them right now?"

*hug*


*salute*