Had someone purporting to be a soldier enter the hotel a few minutes ago, wanting a room. He was black, wearing a green digital camoflage uniform. Groggy and sleepy at nearly 2 in the morning, I wasn't particularly observant as to whether he was Army or Marine, or his rank; I didn't see insignia on his arms or collar, so I can't even be sure if he was officer or enlisted.
I do know he was offensively arrogant, though. When I plugged the code for government/military into our computer and quoted him the resulting rate of $97 and tax, he flatly replied "negative," and proceeded to lecture me that he knew the military rates, that he stayed at hotels across the country, that he was a soldier back from war, etc. His lack of humility pissed me off, and analyzing it now, I realize I was unconsciously channelling my Confederate forebears, confronting the arrogant black face of the Reconstruction soldier lording it over the defeated Southern populace.
"I'm a vet myself," I told him, "and I never acted as if my service entitled me to a hotel rate lower than anyone else in the US."
"Tell you what I'll do then," he sneered, "I'll go somewhere else, that's my prerogative."
"Then do so," said I.
Myself, I'll use it if it's available, but it's rarely worth being a dick to do so. Sounds like an asshole who also happens to be in the military. Unfortunate, but it does happen.
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