Haha, funny. I think we would all agree, that clearly, when that worker said "no" in the presence of all 3 (yet directed at only the middle guy who asked), that .... it would be inferred to apply to all of them.
But your post does speak to the larger question. Because if we all agree that that "no" applied to all 3 of those guys, then why doesn't a "no" (given to one lone individual who walks into city, county, or state offices) apply to all other md'rs as well then ?
Such was the situation we faced in our city's club. One fellow (who, upon moving to our city, took it upon himself to go ask) got a "no". So for the LIFE of him, he couldn't understand why all the other md'rs in that club had no problems or issues md'ing the parks in question. In his mind (you can hardly blame him), the rest of the club members seemed to be lawless, etc.... He raised a stink, and wanted to go "get it clarified" (or appeal his no, etc...). Meanwhile, those of us old-timers said "just go, no one cares". He couldn't understand that. I mean, can you blame him? Ie.: "how can you argue with a 'no' straight from city hall ?"
I can sympathize with his situation , But at the same time bringing it up could cause Problems in itself.
as a club, if he is a Member of the club it's an especially hard choice.
The club should be all for one & one for all.
Meaining the one should not want to make things bad for the rest,
But yet the Club should consider him also.
There is one Village near me.
I detected it without asking Permission With no Problem.
Even the boro workers never approached me while they were in the area.
I approached the Teen Girl at the Pool for permission to detect.
got a yes, hunted the pool for an hour or so & loaded up on change
next Visit again no Problem when the boro showed up.
They had to do work at the pool & opened the Gate.
I walked over & asked if I could hunt in the Pool.
boro worker says No.
I said ok Thanks anyway !
he said you can't hunt out here either
screwed !!!!!
Next Visit I went to the Boro Office & asked. Secretary made some calls & said Go for it.
Back to the park I went. Boro workers never said a word.
Years later I showed up, Boro workers were there so I asked.
No was the Response
I haven't wasted my time in that Village since. But if I do in the Future,
No I will not be asking. and if approached I may head to the Boro Office.
But since I am not in a club, I may raise hell if I see others I don't know detecting & I get a no.