It’s all about the context of the interaction.
It’s 99/100 times, to me, a lazy, dismissive utterance on the par of “Have a good one.” Some examples:
- (Laziness) I don’t really shop for the discounts, but I do use my retired ID card as a form of “Real ID” when I need to, or when I prefer not to use my state driver’s license or my company-issued Federal HSPV-12 (one step closer towards anonymity). [Sidebar] I’ve had a couple of people push back my New Mexico driver’s license, demanding something from the US, and not “international.”[/Sidebar] Normally, I’ll get a half-assed “TYFYS” from a clerk . . .
- (Mixed messaging) Because my organization is tied at the hip to the DoD, we often get a lot of politicians and glad-handers thanking us for our dedication, and to the Veterans, a “TYFYS.” Their delivery falls flat. . .
- (Weaponization) I often get the question from other contractors or subcontractors who, on first introduction, want to gauge my expertise in my field. When I tell them I came to this Lab straight from Active Duty, I usually get a weak “TYFYS” or a snarky “TYFYS.”
So, normally it comes across as a cliched throwaway statement, normally dropped by people who’ve never served, nor care to even consider what it’s like to serve.
- From another Veteran who ‘gets it’? . . . It’d be genuine, and I’ve shared my thanks with them.
- From a co-worker genuinely interested on where I’d been and done? . . . It’d be genuine, and I’d thank them for their support and/or time in listening.
- From someone who considers the meeting transactional? It’s cliche and IMHO better to say nothing, than something half-assed and without meaning.
It’s all about the context. 99% of the time, the context and delivery is from someone genuinely, wholeheartedly disinterested.
Tripler
I once had a hat that said “Dysfunctional Veteran: Leave Me Alone.” This post makes me look that way, doesn’t it?