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I did not want to hijack another thread so I started a poll here.
Whenever I go out to eat, if there is a first responder on duty and in uniform I will have the wait staff give me their ticket. Unless we are in a fast food line, they never know who payed for it. I also pay for a soldier in uniform's meal. This is just a small way of saying thank you.
Do you do the same?

I never have but next time I see one I will.

My wife started it in our family and I followed her lead.

I have done it, but not exactly to my credit, I haven't done it in a while. It just slipped from my mind. OTH, I rarely ever eat out, so maybe that's why.

First responders/ Military in Uniform

My wife and I do this for military couples and families we see out.

I tried to buy two APD officers lunch at Mighty Fine (Actually just tried to give them the rest of my gift card)

They wouldn't accept it as it was a conflict of interest and they are forbidden from accepting gratuities.

Just a shame that it has come to that.

uthornsfan wrote:I tried to buy two APD officers lunch at Mighty Fine (Actually just tried to give them the rest of my gift card)

They wouldn't accept it as it was a conflict of interest and they are forbidden from accepting gratuities.

Just a shame that it has come to that.

This is part of the reason I have the waitstaff not let them know who bought it. The other reason is I dont do it for the recognition.

uthornsfan wrote:I tried to buy two APD officers lunch at Mighty Fine (Actually just tried to give them the rest of my gift card)

They wouldn't accept it as it was a conflict of interest and they are forbidden from accepting gratuities.

Just a shame that it has come to that.

A thankful citizen not allowed to buy an Austin PD officer a meal? Is this an Austin PD rule or general one across Texas?

How is a citizen buying a first responder a meal any more of a conflict of interest than the restaurant offering a "first responder discount"? I smell liberal thinking at work..

I certainly haven't made any grand gestures. but on a couple of occasions when I've been out hog hunting I've stopped for a soda in town. Occasionally the local police or a sheriff's deputy is there doing the same thing. When I get to the counter I tell the clerk to take care of the officer's purchase also. Once, when I was at a fast-food place I had some discount coupons which I gave to a couple of Army guys - not sure that qualifies since I didn't really pay for anything.

It's always appreciated. It tells the officer that good people are still out there.

My local masonic lodge hosted a breakfast not long ago for all first responders in our area. We had over 100 in attendance, police, fire, EMS. It was a great time, and a great way to honor what they do for our community.

I have frequently bought meals for first responders, soldiers etc. My wife works in the same offices as the FD administration, and we have purchased several meals to be taken to them. I bought dinner for a soldier and his wife at Chili's one night recently (anonymously). I also buy anything they may be getting at convenience stores, coffee, cold drinks, etc. A few months ago, there was a group of National Guard troops who stopped in Alvarado on their way through. I bought the entire group cases of bottled water, and what ever snacks etc. they were getting. I was not the only one, several people took drinks, and snacks out to them while they took a break from traveling.

I make it a point to try to pick up tabs for LEO, EMTs, etc. whenever I encounter them.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I have done it, but not exactly to my credit, I haven't done it in a while. It just slipped from my mind. OTH, I rarely ever eat out, so maybe that's why.

This
We don't eat out much either. I'm always on the lookout for first responders to at least thank them for their service.

We have a group that meets at a local taco shop on Thursday mornings for breakfast and the members of the group chip in for gift cards that we put into thank you cards and pass out. I was fortunate enough to find a local police officer to give one of those to on Christmas day. I talked to one of the supervisors with the PD and she said that the "pink envelopes" (the color chosen for the thank you cards) were having a big impact I always try to find an officer who is between calls but actively on the job.

I find that the opportunity most often presents when traveling. Have frequently paid for lunch or dinner for troops in the airport and in restaurants.