I work for a local council and like all of them, their biggest concern is optics and appearing greater and more altruistic than they are.
I'm lazy so I go out for lunch every time I'm at the office rather than bringing in prepared food. The most recent time, my boss and teammate tagged along. In the middle of the meal, my boss asked where my council ID lanyard was (it was in my bag). He then told me about how I should be wearing it when I'm eating out around town etc because it shows that council still has a “city footprint” (rather than solely WFH) and that we support local business.
I told him when council is paying, I'll wear it. THAT would be council supporting local business. Me =/= council. Money that I have earned from working for council =/= council's money.
He then gave me a sheepish “well that's why I said that you *should*, not that you have to”.
As long as that's clear.