Staying in a mess

I (a CI) am staying in the mess on station this weekend, anything that’s useful to know?

Wear a collar, enjoy the cheap beer.

Take literally everything you might need toiletries wise, including towel etc. Sadly, unlike the RAF club, you are unlikely to find bath robes and slippers in any mess.

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You’ll be in the Sgts/WOs so be prepared for it to be fairly formal - perhaps more so than the OM.
Also check when they do / don’t serve food as they often finish early & start late at the weekend, though you might be eating in the all ranks mess

You should be a ‘free feeder’ as a CI but take a chequebook or cash - I’ve been charged for the room before but not for food.

Although most messes are now pay as you dine they’ve not all discovered payment cards.

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Indeed.
Coat hangars. An iron if it’s a blues thing.

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Depending on the station involved, there are a fair number of DIO infrastructure currently paying staff to stay there - such is the nature of the fixture/fittings/refinement of the building!!!

Yeah had a free stay at Cranwell recently, just PAYD.

Remember to warn in and warn out. Be nice to the staff working in the mess also, they can get you out of all sorts of weird situations when the need arises.

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#StoryTime :thinking:

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Next time don’t use superglue :wink:

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Unless you get an en suite room, be prepared for mixed ablutions - it’s still fairly common in older messes, although some have a sign on the door to indicate who is in there. Trainers are not generally accepted footwear in the bar, although some don’t mind now. It’s polite to offer the bar staff a drink when you buy a round.
Also at weekends you sometimes have to pre order your meal, as some are so quiet they don’t want to cook a lot and waste it.

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Don’t ring the bell in the bar :roll_eyes:

Unless you’re happy to buy everyone a drink :beers::beers::beers:

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You mean the bell to summon the bar tender ! :wink:

…come on, lets not spoil all the fun …