This is more of a personal rule for me than one for everyone who’s been to Iraq. In fact, it seems like every time I’m on a plane with other guys in uniform, there’s always one sitting near me talking about it to another passenger for the entire flight. Whether I’m in uniform or not, though, as soon as I’m away from this godforsaken place I don’t really want to think or talk about it much. Part of the reason is a particular question that tends to come up, usually from people I barely know or met 30 seconds beforehand.
Actual conversation from back in 2004, when I was home on leave during my first tour and buying a laptop:
Best Buy Employee: So, would you like the service plan?
Me: No thanks, I might not even be around here again before it expires.
BBE: Oh, traveling? Will there be another Best Buy near you?
Me: Uh, no….I’ll be in Iraq.
BBE: Oh, okay.
Me: Yeah, I’m just home from there on leave.
(pause)
BBE: So, have you killed anyone?
Me: ……
This question is rather personal and somewhat verboten in general, even among people close to someone in the military. So when it comes up from a complete stranger, it irks me more than a little, as you might imagine. I realize Best Buy employees might need some distraction from the soul sucking experience that working there must be, but seriously….this isn’t the way to go about it.
And speaking of traveling in uniform, it always ends up rather awkward for me. Every few minutes someone is coming up and wanting to shake my hand and thank me. I really do appreciate it, but I never really know how to respond and end up just looking awkward and staying quiet.
I don’t mind you buying me beer, though. Keep ‘em coming. You’re a Great American.
