Bouncing

[INDYFIGHTER]

I did a seach of the threads for any talking about bouncing. I found some but I thought I'd start a fresh one. I worked a bar last winter when the hours at my day job slacked off and this winter I've managed to get the same job again. Last Satuday was my first night back and it wasn't totally uneventful. The bar I work is a pretty nice little place that sits on a street that is lined with different types of clubs and taverns. Our place is a place to drink and talk and listen to the jukebox. They've got good food till 9pm and then a fried menu till almost close. Four pool tables that are open until there's no room to play which is about midnight on any Friday or Saturday night. Then we cover the tables and let patrons lean, not sit, on them. There's a small bar in the backroom with a server station that must remain clear all night. That's where I was last Saturday night. I also have to help watch the table's for sit'ers and people leaving their drinks set on the table tops, also a no, no. We keep the trash cans emptied and I like to clear tables of empty bottles when ever possible so they can't be thrown.
What I've found is that there's really a lot more to this job than just the physical aspect. I'm not big at all. Actually I'm pretty skinny, 6' 140lbs. I can honestly say that when I was eighteen I'd never thought I'd been a bouncer. After a few years of training in Kempo/kali/hapkido/and boxing, sparring regularly and achieveing a few belts in the kempo system when the opportunity came up I thought I'd give it a shot. I've always had good people skills.
Last winter was pretty easy. Anyone I asked to leave did so willingly. We had to group up on a few guys before they left without trouble. It really helps that we have a policeman in his squad car right outside the door and sometimes he comes in and sits at the door. Still, I'm always alert. Like when I'm riding my motorcycle, I never stop feeling like someones trying to get me. I'm constantly aware. I watch the guys who are drinking a lot and try to guess which one will be the one I cut off later or ask to leave. I've been right more than once.
So this last Saturday I was working that back bar and all was going good. Around 1:30am I went to check the restroom and noticed a man coming out of the bathroom who's eyes looked pretty bad. I watched as he walked towards the front bar and he was walking straight so I let him go hoping that the guys up front were already aware of him and watching him. Well, an hour later as I walk to check the restroom again there he is, trucking it into the womens restroom! I almost didn't get to him before he was throught the door. I popped him forward with both hand on both his shoulders then pulled him right back into me and turned him a quarter turn so he was facing the rear exit. Then I started pushing him and after the little jostle I'd given him we stumbled right along to about half way through the room when he got his feet under him and got me stopped. He was talking "wow, wow, wow". So I started talking back and took his drink from him and sat it down, when I came back up I pushed again and we went the final ten feet to the door and out he went. It was fast. If I'd had the chance I'd had back up but Then he'd been in the restroom and there was lots of ladies in there. I got a 'good job' from the other bounce working the room, and I got asked to come back this weekend. I've got a great day job but all I've looked forward to this week is getting back to the bar.

 

[Sapper6]

nice work. be safe and good luck.

lots of good reading here...

http://www.stormpages.com/handtohand22/page61.htm

a semi-informative "bouncer's" page...

 

[Martial Tucker]

Speaking from a fair amount of experience as a bouncer in a rather rowdy bar "back in the day", I have a couple of thoughts and suggestions:

First, I obviously don't know you, and wasn't at the bar where you work, so I may be way off base and out of line with my thoughts, but realize I mean no offense or disrespect. I just want you to be safe and have a good experience....

My first thought is that to forcibly remove someone, no questions asked, for attempting to enter the wrong rest room might be a bit of an overreaction, and if the guy got hurt being ejected, you could find yourself in legal trouble.
Unless he had a weapon, or had been observed/warned earlier for improper behavior, I think it would have been better to grab him and stop him from entering, and then point out that it was the wrong room. From that point on, he should be watched. Again, I wasn't there, and there may well be more to what happened than you mentioned, but I have almost entered the wrong restroom innocently a few times over the years after a few drinks. Regardless, even if the guy had foul play in mind, you couldn't prove it if he claimed you injured him during the ejection for what could have been an innocent mistake.

Second, I just hope you are not taking the job for excitement, or approval from the other bouncers/people. Being a bouncer for those reasons will almost certainly get you in trouble and/or injured. The job can be a lot of fun, and rewarding, knowing you are contributing to other's enjoyment and safety, but it almost sounds like you feel as if you have something to prove, and if so, that will eventually cause you much trouble.

Again, I might be way off-base, and if so, I apologize for jumping to any inaccurate conclusions about you, but I mention these things just to give you something to think about.

 

[arnisador]

Thanks for sharing this real life expience! Things are much quieter for those of us in Terre Haute.

 

[Adept]

At the venue I work at, that would have been considered excessive. I mean, if all the guy was doing was going into the wrong restroom, then a grab and 'Hey mate, wrong loo!' is usually enough. If he was also intoxicated beyond the venue limit, then it's time to go. If he became quarelsome or argumentative, it's time to go. If this wasn't the first time, it's time to go. Also, I'd consider it a bad move to engage in conversation once the decision to eject has been made, and leaving the patron to dispose of his drink. We have bins by all the doors, so bottles go in there and glasses can be sat on the ledges on the walls. At the least, I would have tried to get his drink off him before I ejected him.

Thanks for sharing your experiences though, and I don't mean to offend. Just offering my take on the situation based on the information in your post.

 

[MJS]

I did a seach of the threads for any talking about bouncing. I found some but I thought I'd start a fresh one. I worked a bar last winter when the hours at my day job slacked off and this winter I've managed to get the same job again. Last Satuday was my first night back and it wasn't totally uneventful. The bar I work is a pretty nice little place that sits on a street that is lined with different types of clubs and taverns. Our place is a place to drink and talk and listen to the jukebox. They've got good food till 9pm and then a fried menu till almost close. Four pool tables that are open until there's no room to play which is about midnight on any Friday or Saturday night. Then we cover the tables and let patrons lean, not sit, on them. There's a small bar in the backroom with a server station that must remain clear all night. That's where I was last Saturday night. I also have to help watch the table's for sit'ers and people leaving their drinks set on the table tops, also a no, no. We keep the trash cans emptied and I like to clear tables of empty bottles when ever possible so they can't be thrown.
What I've found is that there's really a lot more to this job than just the physical aspect. I'm not big at all. Actually I'm pretty skinny, 6' 140lbs. I can honestly say that when I was eighteen I'd never thought I'd been a bouncer. After a few years of training in Kempo/kali/hapkido/and boxing, sparring regularly and achieveing a few belts in the kempo system when the opportunity came up I thought I'd give it a shot. I've always had good people skills.
Last winter was pretty easy. Anyone I asked to leave did so willingly. We had to group up on a few guys before they left without trouble. It really helps that we have a policeman in his squad car right outside the door and sometimes he comes in and sits at the door. Still, I'm always alert. Like when I'm riding my motorcycle, I never stop feeling like someones trying to get me. I'm constantly aware. I watch the guys who are drinking a lot and try to guess which one will be the one I cut off later or ask to leave. I've been right more than once.
So this last Saturday I was working that back bar and all was going good. Around 1:30am I went to check the restroom and noticed a man coming out of the bathroom who's eyes looked pretty bad. I watched as he walked towards the front bar and he was walking straight so I let him go hoping that the guys up front were already aware of him and watching him. Well, an hour later as I walk to check the restroom again there he is, trucking it into the womens restroom! I almost didn't get to him before he was throught the door. I popped him forward with both hand on both his shoulders then pulled him right back into me and turned him a quarter turn so he was facing the rear exit. Then I started pushing him and after the little jostle I'd given him we stumbled right along to about half way through the room when he got his feet under him and got me stopped. He was talking "wow, wow, wow". So I started talking back and took his drink from him and sat it down, when I came back up I pushed again and we went the final ten feet to the door and out he went. It was fast. If I'd had the chance I'd had back up but Then he'd been in the restroom and there was lots of ladies in there. I got a 'good job' from the other bounce working the room, and I got asked to come back this weekend. I've got a great day job but all I've looked forward to this week is getting back to the bar.

I too am leaning more with the people that said your actions may have been a bit too much. Perhaps you can explain to us what the policy/rules at this establishment are, so we may have a better chance of understanding what you did and why you did it.

IMHO, I would go more along the lines of verbal communication first. If that is not working, then I could see taking it to the next step. I don't think I'd go with a push though, as this can be taken as an aggressive action on your part, which could lead to more problems that you originally planned on. Perhaps a hand on the offenders arm or shoulder, doing more of a guide to the door rather than a shove would be a better option.

Mike

 

[shesulsa]

I was wondering, along with everyone else, if this guy had been previously warned, is a repeated nuisance, if there's more to the story...??

I'm sure it depends on the venue rules and policies as well.

And it's always good when a needed ejection goes well.

 

[Nanalo74]

At the venue I work at, that would have been considered excessive. I mean, if all the guy was doing was going into the wrong restroom, then a grab and 'Hey mate, wrong loo!' is usually enough. If he was also intoxicated beyond the venue limit, then it's time to go. If he became quarelsome or argumentative, it's time to go. If this wasn't the first time, it's time to go. Also, I'd consider it a bad move to engage in conversation once the decision to eject has been made, and leaving the patron to dispose of his drink. We have bins by all the doors, so bottles go in there and glasses can be sat on the ledges on the walls. At the least, I would have tried to get his drink off him before I ejected him.

Thanks for sharing your experiences though, and I don't mean to offend. Just offering my take on the situation based on the information in your post.

I have to agree. Again, we don't know the exact circumstances, and I gennerally try not to second guess the decisions anyone makes in the field. I also try to avoid getting physical when at all possible. Where I work, the general manager has a hard-on for security and looks to fire anyone that gets physical with a customer. (You can do it, just not when she's around.) Therefore, our communication skills have to be top notch.

I usually find that most times, when a person is told what is and isn't allowed they will either apologize and submit, give you a little lip then submit, or become defiant. That's when you have to make a decision on how best to handle the situation. Ultimately, we are responsible for the safety of the patrons and employees, as well as the reputation of the establishment. Also, no club owner wants to be dragged into court every other week because of some hot head bouncer that likes to slap the customers around.

Here's an example of what I mean. I work in a very famous Latin nightclub in New York. Last week, for the holidays they had a party every night. Thanksgiving night was a big Reggaeton party (that's spanish reggae, kind of like hip-hop from Puerto Rico) with one of the biggest artists from that genre performing. Going into the night all the guys knew this one was gonna be rough. This is a rowdy crowd. Not to mention it was 17 to party, 21 to drink, which means a young, drunk, wanna-be tough crowd.

I was in the lower level (we have 3 floors) walking down the hallway towards the restrooms when I saw a guy pinning his girlfriend to the wall and yelling at her. I walked up behind him and asked "Is everything ok?" He wheeled around and started screaming at me "I'm good! Get the Edited to conform to MT's Profanity Rules**** out of here!" Now, I should also mention that there are cameras all over this club and the afore-mentioned general manager sits in her office and watches the cameras. However, we were in a blind spot. Meaning that I could do whatever I wanted to this guy and the cameras wouldn't have caught anything. This thought brought a huge smile to my face as this guy continue his tirade "Edited to conform to MT's Profanity Rules**** the bouncers!" "Ain't nobody taking me out of here!", blah blah blah. His girlfriend, meanwhile, is standing between us, "Baby, stop. Please!" Any LEO knows that in a domestic violence situation as soon as you put your hands on the guy, the girl (who you came to help) sticks a shiv in your kidneys, so I decided not to go this one alone. I grabbed a busboy and told him to get two or three bouncers from the dance floor. In 10 seconds there were 5 very large gentleman surrounding the couple. "Sir, you have to leave". His tone now became "can I please stay? all my friends are here. I'm sorry." He walked out without incident, and I never had to put my hands on him.
I'll admit that when some drunk idiot is in your face cursing your mother and calling you every name in the book, it's hard to maintain your composure. But I knew that this situation could have gotten very ugly. These are the kind of people that are real tough in the club then as soon as you smack some sobriety into them they run straight to the nearest squad car. "Officer, that bouncer assaulted me." I've seen plenty of good guys get locked up because some skel punked out when they hit the street. So I called in the big boys. That's why they're there. People tend to calm down when they have a 6'6", 300 lb. bouncer in their face.

Vic www.combatartsusa.com

Assist. Admin Note. Please allow the profanity filter to do it's work. It will catch the words Thank you.

 

[Adept]

I grabbed a busboy and told him to get two or three bouncers from the dance floor. In 10 seconds there were 5 very large gentleman surrounding the couple. "Sir, you have to leave". His tone now became "can I please stay? all my friends are here. I'm sorry." He walked out without incident, and I never had to put my hands on him.

Brilliant. Teamwork and verbal techniques win out nine times from ten. Like I've said to some of the guys I've worked with in the past: I'm not going to do a solo ejection just to prove some point about my manhood, or machismo. If theres backup available, I'm going to use it every time.

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

Well, I typed a huge reply this morning but I must have stopped short of sending it.

First off, thanks so much for all the replys and interest! I wish I had done my first reply right cause I spent a little time on it but I'll try to sum things up.

Our normal proceedures would be to verbaly warn someone that there behavior is going to get them asked to leave. After a warning is given then the next time the offense occurs they would be asked to leave. When ejecting a patron we're supposed to go in a group of three. Two for escorts and one to make a path out for everyone. If someone won't leave than the LEO is asked to speak with them and the officers do a great job of explaining to someone thier options. So really there's very few reasons I should ever have to touch a patron. So why did I the other night? Well it was a judgement call and I'm standing behind that judgement. I knew the gentleman was intoxicated and needed at the least cut off cause I'd noticed him a little earlier and he was worse now. The thing was that he was stepping into a crowded womens restroom when we were at our buisiest. I wanted to get the other guy working the room with me to come help but there wasn't any time, by then he would have had a minute or so inside and I wasn't going to allow that. I really did nothing to harm the guy at all. He was drunk so I moved him around a little to disorient him and started moving him out. Halfway accross the room he got his feet under him and got stopped. I stopped and he leaned up against a pool table. I took the opportunity to remove the drink from his hand which hadn't spilt so that tells you I wasn't being rough with him. I never took my eyes off of him and when I stood up I turned him torwards the door again and said "ok, now you gotta go." and we went the rest of the way to the door. I wasn't looking for someone to rough up, I didn't want to grab him but once I decided to than I had to get him out so I could let him go and that was my only concern. Now I had him and I just wanted rid of him. The other bouncer working the door we went out talked to him a few seconds before shutting the door. I agree it could of probably been handled differently but I don't think I handled it badly. I work with an experianced bouncer at my day job, he has years of security work under his belt. He told me I did alright and not to worry about it.

I really appreciate everyones remarks and don't anyone worry about hurting my feelings cause I don't have any. I understand there are guys out there big and small with something to prove but I'm really not one of them. I love my day job, it just doesn't make ends meet sometimes and so I'm just trying to make some cash on the side. And to be honest, I'm spending as much time flirting with the female patrons as I am watching the room. Seriously I never thought someone would pay me to sit on my butt, pick up beer bottles, talk to women and oh yeah, make sure no one does anything stupid which they rarely do. The two free shift drinks after 1am are cool too! I think I make a good bouncer because I've spent many a nights being the drunk guy in the bar and I've been thrown out of a few too. I like to have a good time as much as anyone. I'm a good talker to and of coarse I'd rather talk to someone than get into a pushing match. I really think the incedent the other night went pretty smooth, not perfectly but still pretty smooth.
Anyway, wish I hadn't deleted my other reply because I had more time to write it but I hope I cleared up some things. I'll be glad to answer any questions and I'm totally open to suggestions. I'll probably come back and write about more of my experiances at the bar. Thanks!

Indyfighter

 

[Nanalo74]

Yeah, I think that's why everyone who replied said that there had to be more to the story. You didn't come off as a hot-head or abusive type so I think our first thought was "there must be more to this." That's why I said I don't like to second guess decisions that people make in the field cause only you know exactly what was going on and oft-times we can see in the attitude, body language, and eyes things that others may not see.

From what you described it sounds like something I've done many times. Sometimes if you've observed a person for some time and know that this person is really bad off, then no further discussion is necessary. I guard the cashier at my job and there have been times where I've told the cashier not to take someone's money and physically removed them because I saw something I didn't like when they were walking thru the door. Maybe they appeared to be intoxicated; maybe they were nasty to the searchers, etc. Rather nip it in the bud then leave it to one of my co-workers to deal with later. Or worse, risk someone getting hurt because I didn't stop this guy at the door.

I say good call brother. Keep up the good work, and be safe this weekend.

Vic www.combatartsusa.com

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

It's funny I was just on here talking about getting thrown out of bars myself and guess what happened this weekend. Well, I didn't work the bar Friday night because I was filling in for my bestfriend and accompanying his wife to her company Christmas party. It was a pretty nice shin-dig and the food was free! My buddy's wife got trashed on Martini's and I had a few beers but I was driving so I didn't get carried away. Well at the kind of after-party at a near by dance club one of her co-workers pushed someone who had mouthed off at him and got tackled by security. I wasn't anywhere near them when it happend, thankfully. I was talking to an old friend when I notice a fight had broke out behind them. Then I notice it was our group. It's funny because I'd spent several hours with this guy and although I didn't care much for him I never expected him the type to be pushing someone in a bar. He was extremely well dressed, college graduate. My friend's wife called him a metrosexual what ever the hell that is. My point is that when I see the guy walk in that's rough around the edges I take notice but tonight it was the clean cut, well dressed guy in the glasses. The honor student.

Satuday night the weather sucked and it was freezing rain so we didn't even start to get busy till Midnight at the bar. I got put on the front door with another guy checking ID's. I like that all right but I remember I got burned out on it last winter and just wanted to be in back some nights. Plus side is you get to see every women in the joint but the down side is once there in you don't see them again. Anyway, nothing much happened. Really late in the night there was a guy who my partner let in who was a total jerk but he knew the head bouncer and one bartender so he was allowed to make an *** of himself fo a bit. It wasn't till I watched him grab the butt of someone elses girlfriend and try to pick a fight with the guy and the guy complained to us at the door about it as they left that I told the head bouncer he needed to deal with him. He was talked to and cut off and spent the remainder of the night sitting at a table with his friends. I got called to the bar shortly after that to help a guy with his girlfriend to a cab. She got way, way overserved! The manager was pretty upset that she was allowed to drink as much as she abviously did. She was pukeing on herself as we carried her out to the van. I think she was alright later, days later , but man she was bad off! Thinking back the bartender was trying to get me to get her out quietly but when the girl can't hold her head up and starts puking up on herself it's hard to just sneak her out.

At the end of the night the manager asked to have a meeting with us. He said he'd been in the back room that night and noticed one guy missing from his station leaving the other guy isolated. He asked that we be with in eyesight of each other at all times. The front door can see the guy at the side door, the guy at the side door seeing the guy at the back bar and the guy at the back bar see's the guy at back door. We have mag lights we carry and use to shine on each others faces to get someones attention and it works rather well. The bartenders have them too to get our attention. Radio's won't work because so many of our neighbors use them we get too much interferrence. One of the guys from the back that night got a little offensive and said he was only gone a moment but the manager made the very true point that in less than a few seconds two guys with bottles can take one bouncer out cold and possibly hurt him bad, he asked that we not give anyone that chance, that we promise it to each other to not let that happen to anyone of us.

 

[still learning]

Hello, I hope you had a chance to read some of "Marc the Aninal Macyoung books? He was a Bouncer like you! If not you better get a hold of some of his books and read them......before you know what a cold steel feels like or what bullet holes can do to a body.

Also read "The gift of Fear" you will learn about trusting your instincts.

You got a stuff job because you are dealing with people EGO's and pride.

Lots of police departments also are having there officers read "Verbal Judo" a must read book......may keep your life living longer.....Aloha

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

AWESOME! Thanks for the suggested reading!

I keep hearing about the verbal Judo, sounds interesting.

 

[Drac]

Great post..Brought back some old and not so bad memories from MY days as a bouncer..In the bars I worked you got ONE warning and then ejected..

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

I worked sick all weekend. I was feeling bad Friday but after working the door Friday night with the cold air blowing in on me I woke up Saturday with a head full of snot! I was dressed pretty good Friday I just didn't cover my head I paid for it the rest of the weekend. I'm feeling better today, mostly in the chest now but I think I'm clearing up.

Friday night was absolutly dead! It was kind of nice to be able and relax. The head bouncer and I worked the front door and caught up with each other. He's a good guy who's worked security off and on most his life. He told me he was putting in his two weeks notice after this weekend said he was going to recommend me for his position. That made me laugh. I told him I've got a great day job I just need the extra cash a few months out of the year. I said I didn't think I could work anymore hours there than I do now and he said he thought I could still just work Friday and Saturday nights. It would be another dollar on the hour and I'd just walk the bar making sure the guys were doing what there supposed to do and be responsible for shutting everythinig down. He was going to suggest another guy but he quit and his last night was my first night back. Admitingly, he would have been a good choice. He told me if I hadn't come back he wouldn't of had a recommendation. The rest of the current guys just don't take it seriously enough. Saturday night one of the bouncers let the head bonce's flashlight sitting next to him at the front door walk out, wonder how many guy's walked out with beers that night. Thing is I know without a doubt the head manager isn't about to make me head bouncer but as I told him I appreciated it and was glad he felt I was capable.

Anyways without any further delay here is how my weekend went. Friday night I found a three hundred dollar cell phone in a half glass of beer!
I noticed these two guys sitting at the table next to the front door and I noticed several times that one was leaving his cell phone sit on the table while they were off gettig drinks and talking to girls. Then they were gone. I went to pick up a beer glass off the ledge next to that table a little later and inside was a cell phone. At first I thought it was mine and it had fallen out of my pocket and someone had **** me! It was the same model as mine, but mine was safe in my pocket. No, this was the guy who had been there before. It was trash. I checked it for the memory card, since it would have worked in mine but it didn't have one. I gave it to the head bouncer and he tossed it in the trash next to me. Later the guy came back for it and I had to dig it out and tell him how I'd found it. He said it had a memory card in it so who ever dunked it must have stolen his card first. He asked who would do such a thing and I said just about any drunk idiot in town.:shrug: I felt bad for the guy but I was glad it wasn't mine. Lesson learned, don't leave expensive things laying around.

Later that night about 2am three guys come in and got beers and stood just about ten feet inside the door at the front of the bar. I was talking when I noticed hands moving around and some ugly faces being made. I looked to see two guys pushing each other and a third trying to get between them. I hopped down and rushed over and pushed to two apart asking what the problem was. Well, turns out it was just a couple of guys messing around. The third guys says "Hey, we're all friends here just joking around a bit" or something and after taking another look at the two I realized he was right and I felt like an idiot. I didn't really know what to say so I just said "Good, if your all friends than quit ****ing around!" and went back to the door. They left seconds later giving me bad looks as if I'd ruined there night. It seems to be a big problem, guys like to act as if they're going to kick each others asses when they're drunk. I even remember thinking that may have been the case and waited a few seconds to see a smile crack but when it didn't I moved in to break it up.

Satuday night I was feeling really bad and knew I couldn't work in front of any doors so I asked to be put in the hole (back bar). It was good till about midnight and then it got really packed back there. The first guy I had to cut off got drunk early. He was falling all over everyone by 12:30 and I had a girl complain to me he'd pushed her out of his way. I couldn't get very close to him so I had to lean over an island thing and tell him he was cut off. I asked him to not have anymore after the beer in his hand. He started to ignore me but I got his attention and made sure he understood me and he did. Well, ten or fifteen minutes later he's got a shot in his hand along with the rest of the group he was in. I had told my parnter in the room that I'd cut him off and that I thought he may have to go and to watch me. I moved in not expecting any problems. The other guys he was with were good guys, all sober enough to understand and I knew they would cooperate. I went over and explained to him if he took that shot he was leaving. If he wanted to continue drinking he would have to go to another bar. Since the bar a block away has no cover and serves anyone in any condition I don't feel bad saying it. It's not like it's a long way to go to go somewhere else. His friend asked what was up and I just told him the guy was drunk and needed to slow down a little. I said I'd cut him off already he didn't need anymore and they took the shot from him and got him a water. He stayed for another couple hours drinking water and having a good time with his friends. He was still falling stumbleing around but I didn't bother him anymore cause he was doing what he needed to do, sobering up. To my surprise when I went to leave the group I turned and my partner was right behind me backing me up and that was great feeling knowing he was watching and had come over. Then I had a guy almost knock off the waitresses computer screen and when I tried to stop him to talk to him he started rushing away from me and right into the womens restroom. Well, I wasn't going to grab anyone this time. So I started yelling hey at him until I finally got him stopped just in front of the door and told him he was heading into the wrong restroom ( a women walks out past us) and I told him in less than thirty seconds he'd almost damaged our property and walked into the women's restroom and cut him off. His friend came up a few minutes later and asked if he apoligized if he could have one more and I just shook him off saying I'd already cut him off and could go back now, again there are plenty of other bars on the street, go there. So that was about it for this weekend. I'm getting more comortable speaking to people. I'm not a very assertive person and I usually have to take a deep breath before I start talking to a group like that but I'm getting use to it. I'm finding it easier to get to one of there sober friends to take resposiblity for them if they have a sober friend.

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

test, test, 123

 

[Martial Tucker]

test, test, 123

Yes?

 

[Tony]

Its interesting reading this post about doormen! I don't think I woudl ever consider doing this kind of work even if i became very high up in my style and besides I don't think anyone would take any notice of me, being only 5'7 and not overly muscular or big! Most of the time all the bouncers i have encountered in bars and clubs are very friendly people, the kind of people you can have a laugh with. I have heard of cases however where some bouncers have over reacted such as telling a girl to leave after she had taken her shoes off while sitting down and a friend of a friend of mine was beaten by some bouncers. Once i was on the dancefloor and i was shoved out of the way because a bouncer had to get to the stage quickly but even though i take offence to being shoved liek that I knew he had no choice. Some places in England you don't need any kind of certificate in door security, as long as you look big and intimidating, the job is yours! I have a friend of mine about te same height as me who is stockier and has the right temperament for such a job! He had to get a certificate in door secuiry which involved some first aid, people skills and some self defence. Most of his knowledge comes from boxing!

But for teh most part i feel safe when there are bouncers as those peopel who ruin it for everyon else are quickly dealt with. I remember one incident a scruffy looking hill billy type was bumping into people in a bar/club i was in! He pushed his way in next to me where i was standing off the dance floor! He was somewhat taller than me and my friend had seen this and said he'd sort this guy out but thankfully it never came to that and the bouncers escorted him out but he should never have been let in.in the first place.

 

[INDYFIGHTER]

test, test, 123

I tried twice yesterday to post on this thread and was unsuccessful. I keep getting logged out while I'm typing it and then it gets lost while I'm logging in again.

Anyway, I worked with a guy who is one of those muscle guys checking ID's at the door. Since our former Head Bouncer left they've been trying out new people at the door. I've worked the door a lot, mostly with the old Head Bouncer. He was known to be kind of short with people. I often thought he was being overly rude to people. The other night I experienced the exact oppisite. The guy I worked with Saturday night ( a power lifter ) wouldn't speak up to save his life! Here is a guy who is twice my size and he can't hardly speak under pressure. Three times I found him holding up the line waiting on the manager to tell someone they couldn't get in cause thier license was expired. Each time after I stated out policy and pointed out the sign clearly stating our policy they left. What is the point of all that muscle and not an ounce of courage or backbone?