Are Security Guards Losers? (alternative, wholesale, business, bill)
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I've discovered amongst some people I know that being a security guard is regarded as the lowest and most contemptible job a person can have. Comments that I have heard include things like "security guards are losers who can't get a real job." One person informed me that security guards are often "stupid, fat, ugly, lonely people who would otherwise be unemployed and homeless, but lucked into this boring, low paying, unskilled job."
One of the biggest criticisms I hear about security guards that make them both ridiculous and pathetic is that they are "cop wannabes" and imagine that their position gives them some sort of authority, or at the very least 'machismo'.
Let me say emphatically that I disagree with this view. I think whatever your job or occupation is, it is far better than being unemployed or on welfare. It is an honest profession and these men and women deserve respect, not ridicule.
I call them Security Officers. I know some who take their jobs seriously, are fastidious about their uniforms and grooming, and are polite and responsible. Some are trying to improve their careers by taking classes to become managers and supervisors, or by becoming armed security officers.
However, I concede that most people will regard "security guard" with "pathetic loser."
I wouldn't consider anyone who is employed and making a positive impact to society a loser. A loser is someone standing on the street corner selling poison to school kids.
My experience with actual Security persons has not been the greatest. Depending on where they are performing the service may determine how good they are at what they are doing. Some tend to be rather passive regardless of their surroundings. Just looking out into space or at a computer, they are not at all motivated to stand up and walk the area. Some are a little trigger happy, it is okay for them to cause commotion but no one around them. It is rather scary really.
Security guards and staff are certainly not losers, but many don't have transferable skills or even prior military experience. Granted where I used to work there was a security firm next door that hired security guards for various purposes. I was surprised at the number of BMW's/Mercedes and other top of the line vehicles parked in their lot.
There are varying degrees of security work. The work can range from minimum wage security to high end VIP protection with salaries in the hundreds of thousands.
I've discovered amongst some people I know that being a security guard is regarded as the lowest and most contemptible job a person can have. Comments that I have heard include things like "security guards are losers who can't get a real job." One person informed me that security guards are often "stupid, fat, ugly, lonely people who would otherwise be unemployed and homeless, but lucked into this boring, low paying, unskilled job."
One of the biggest criticisms I hear about security guards that make them both ridiculous and pathetic is that they are "cop wannabes" and imagine that their position gives them some sort of authority, or at the very least 'machismo'.
Let me say emphatically that I disagree with this view. I think whatever your job or occupation is, it is far better than being unemployed or on welfare. It is an honest profession and these men and women deserve respect, not ridicule.
I call them Security Officers. I know some who take their jobs seriously, are fastidious about their uniforms and grooming, and are polite and responsible. Some are trying to improve their careers by taking classes to become managers and supervisors, or by becoming armed security officers.
However, I concede that most people will regard "security guard" with "pathetic loser."
I think that's a really narrow minded and immature point of view.
Often times security personnel must get a special license to carry a firearm or other non-lethal weapon of some sort while on the job. Many retired military and police end up taking security jobs to supplement any pension or other benefits. I would not call any security guard a loser...they are there to do a job, just like anyone else. If a mall cop can be expected to or entrusted to help stop or help minimize a mass shooting in a mall, he/she is not a loser, IMO.
Gosh, I guess some people just want to look down on others, degrade others, or believe silly stereotypes. Just as in ALL professions, there are good people and bad, competent and incompetent.
Many security guards are Night Owls. It's a job that is well-suited to Night Owls. It's a job well-suited to introverts.
I respect competent workers, those trying to improve their lot, those who try to be self-supporting or as competent as they can be, etc. - doesn't Matter what their occupation is.
I don't look down on others jobs, as you have no idea what their story is and how they got there.
I used to work in a really large office building, and there was a really nice janitor. Got to talking to him, and the topic came up about how rude some of the people there were to the janitorial staff. He laughed and said that he didn't care what anyone there thought of him, because he owned the company and had made 6 figures the year before.
I have even more respect for those willing to take on and keep those type of positions that others would not want to do.
You can laugh at a security guard and then come to find out the guy has multiple houses and just took the job to get away from the wife once in a while.
Maybe another guy is taking the job because he is almost done with an educational program and it was merely a way of paying through it, etc.
To classify a human being you know nothing about as a loser based on a job position without knowing any of the facts of their life, what is in their bank account, what caused their situation, etc. would be extremely ignorant. You can just as easily (and more justifiably so) say anyone who posts these type of questions on a forum is a loser.
It's a sad day when the refrain of so many is "get a job!" and once a person does many of the same people singing that song then say "LOSER!" This I believe is what we call "haters" these days. And their existence must be a sad one, indeed. No matter their station in life, high or low. It would seem some are too good to work some jobs they consider below them, so they remain unemployed. And for others in lofty positions but miserable in life, they simply look down among the masses with contempt. I was always taught "an honest days work for an honest days pay." And security work is no different. Work is work. Not welfare, not menial, not beneath anyone. It's the person doing the job and how they do it which gives the work value, not the other way around.
I've had "jobs" my entire life. From FedEx to selling cars to kitchen remodeling and mortuary services. All were performed with dignity and self respect. Nearing 50 now I asked myself what I wanted to do when I was 70. Or more accurately, what could I do at 70? Not working, even with money for retirement and money saved, is not an option. I never think of retiring, I think of dying. And that will come soon enough. No need to sit and watch the grass grow. Its not for me, never will be.
One day at a hospital I saw a gentleman of around 75. He wore a uniform, had on a duty belt, firearm, badge, the whole deal. The most important thing for me was his stature and demeanor, however. He was fit, stood tall, walked well, and handled himself with dignity. Yes, he was a security guard. And at that moment I thought "if I can be that at 75 I'll be a happy man at 75." My remodeling job at the time although skilled and paying was wearing me down. Sun up to sun down labor many days and I realistically could not see myself doing it another 10 years, much less 20. Going back to school at near 50 for a career? I did not want to spend those years risking becoming an unemployed "went back to school, can't get a job in MY field" statistic at 55. So, I got a guard card. And it is as good an employment decision as I have ever made.
I can't speak for myself but no one I have come into contact with at my current employer is a loser by any standard. They are all hard working, polite, helpful and considerate individuals with varying backgrounds and education. All ages, all walks of life. We work district safety and security in a major city that includes hospitality for visitors to the area, escorting people to and fro, outreach to the homeless, checking in on local businesses, and walking several miles a day in all kinds of weather and conditions. And of course primarily it is security. However that part of the job is somewhat veiled. Rather we serve as "Ambassadors" for the area at large. We make on the spot reports on everything we do and see which is or could be an issue, often times numbering upwards of 100 reports in a single shift. It is busy, sometimes taxing work. But in my estimation good work, and somewhat valuable to the community.
In just my few weeks on the job I have assisted many, broken up several drunken fights on the sidewalks, come to the assistance of women being abused and harassed by dates, and assisted local law enforcement so that they can do a better, safer job while engaged with drunken thugs outside local nightclubs. As well as gotten to know and talk to the homeless and helpless on the streets. I can honestly say this "security" job is one I would not trade for any other job that pays what it pays. Or even a bit more than it pays. Which is 40% above current California minimum wage to start. Not a King's ransom by any means, but I'm not a King. I'm just a guy who enjoys life, and his job.
But back to "us" losers. I certainly don't feel like one. And the people I work with certainly aren't losers. Some have degrees, but why should that matter? We work hard, earn our way, and serve a purpose on a daily basis. We are younger, older, black, white, hispanic, and asian. We love working outside, serving a community, assisting others, and helping to keep a district safe and secure for all. The drunks pissing and vomiting in the streets might think us losers, some of the pan handlers who think we are there to harass them might think us losers, the club goers who think we are there to baby sit them as they fight in the streets might think us losers, the guy beating on his girlfriend, and the privileged who think they are entitled to park their 'Benz in a full parking lot although its full and temporarily closed might think the same, as they sneer and drive away snickering. But if so I have never been around a happier, more positive bunch of losers in my life, and am just as happy to be one of them. Security officers, one and all. And some of the best, hardest working folks I have ever met
Last edited by AverageJoeMamma; 05-06-2015 at 11:44 AM..
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