Also my opinion, and the outcome of prohibition would suggest that society at large generally believes this as well.
…with an obvious exception for minorities…
Which was my point. Apparently the politics of it, and decades of anti tobacco propaganda (and I dont intend the normally negative connotation the word has, it just is what it is) have made this acceptable somehow… for an obviously racial/homophobic exception to just be openly declared and apparently acceptable… it’s kinda weird to me.
General officers come with flags, placards, and assorted other bric a brac. The rule of thumb I quoted is decades old, and intended to help clarify how all that goofyness should be addressed, and generally benefits joe.
An officer in civvies carrying his uniform with his rank visible is actually an outstanding example of how said rule of thumb precludes stupid shit, because that guy is almost definitely playing the bullshit game… I’d just salute the fucker, ain’t nobody got time fo dat ;)