@p3 I had a similar experience where one if my Indian friends I was hanging out on a weekend going to different state parks. My friend noticed that when we stopped to gas up and also other places, I would ask if they offer a military veteran (because I am one) and then I would get a discount. My Indian friend said he was going to start doing that. I asked him if he was a military veteran and he replied that he was not. I abruptly told him, “Well, then you cannot do that; it is not right.” He looked at me and chuckled and asked me, “What is it to you?” Which I replied, “It is a slap in the face to all that DID serve!” Again, he chuckled.
If you are an American business or ever start one, if someone asks you if you offer a military veteran discount, always ask them to show proof. Military veterans will not be offended at all, as they all go down to the county clerk’s office and show their DD214 as proof of military service and county clerk’s office then outs “Veteran” just below their picture on the veteran’s driver’s license for proof. And it is recorded in county clerk office.
Point is, I agree with you. I think maybe there is an ingrained mentality built in at India with some philosophical thoughts on what truth is, that Indians carry with them over here to America. I think their philosophy is to do whatever it takes to survive and truth in their minds is relative on circumstance for opportunity.