Becoming a bouncer
March 9, 2005 9:00 PM Subscribe
So, you're thinking of becoming a bouncer.
I've been toying with the idea of becoming a bouncer at a club. Here are some facts: City is San Francisco. I'm male, 31, very caucasian, wear glasses, 6'4", 310 lbs (overweight and out of shape to be sure, but the above-average height helps me not look obese.) I can go for long periods of time without feeling the need to smile, having a natural and relatively permanent "stoic" expression. I was never much into the bar/club scene as a personal social interest. I have a full time, professional job in advertising pulling in a respectable salary, but thought this might be a way to work Fri/Sat nights to pull in a little extra spending cash and essentially get paid to "people watch" in a club without feeling guilty or creepy for not dancing or drinking, neither of which are particular interests of mine.
And sure, I'll admit that the social "status" of being a bouncer is intriguing -- both in the eyes of club patrons (and the attention some of them get, especially if they work the door--everybody wants to "know" them) to the camaraderie with colleagues (free drinks as allowed for the position, seen as a protective figure for the female bartenders, good buddies with the male bartenders, etc.)
I've never been in a "real" fight and would not look forward to being in one, and only took some minor martial arts lessons as a kid and virtually no activity sports-wise in school (to the chagrin of many coaches, considering my size.) So no training/experience that would actually help me at this point, but as I understand it, it is illegal for a bouncer to interact physically with a misbehaving patron anyway, unless it's out of self defense or you are making a citizen's arrest.
Pros and cons? What could I expect to make for a weekend of work (not as much as bartending, I'm sure, but I lack the skillset/interest for that.) What are the prerequisites? I don't often see job postings for security/bouncer positions... do I have to just go to clubs or call and ask if they're hiring? Are they likely to hire me with no previous experience? Will I be expected/required to have a certain degree of aptitude in self defense? Does a bouncer typically work at one club only, or go around to several clubs throughout the month? Is this sort of job "hard" to get? Am I too old?
I ask a lot of these questions because at several clubs I visited recently, the security runs the gamut from "do NOT mess with this ex-football player" to "just a tub of lard" to "I'm pretty sure even I could take that guy in a fight with just one hand." They also didn't really cover this topic on Career Day in junior high.
How often per night (or per week, or per month) are there actual altercations that are more than just escorting a drunkard to the door? Should I *expect* to get in fights with either people IN the club or (worse) who would wait for me outside of the club after hours for a no-rules encounter (with them and their friends) for embarrassing them? What are the liability ramifications for a job like this? I imagine the same as a "regular" citizen, so is there a chance I'd wind up in court defending myself against people who got out of hand? Or showing up to my "regular" job with bruises or a black eye? Do clubs offer extended medical coverage or insurance for people working in this capacity?
I'm sure there's a huge "non-glamorous" side to this job as well. I imagine I'd be helping sweeping/cleaning up after everyone finally leaves, and not expect to get home until the wee hours, but I'd draw the line if I'd be expected to help out with things like cleaning the wretched club toilets. I'm not THAT desperate for money.
I've been toying with the idea of becoming a bouncer at a club. Here are some facts: City is San Francisco. I'm male, 31, very caucasian, wear glasses, 6'4", 310 lbs (overweight and out of shape to be sure, but the above-average height helps me not look obese.) I can go for long periods of time without feeling the need to smile, having a natural and relatively permanent "stoic" expression. I was never much into the bar/club scene as a personal social interest. I have a full time, professional job in advertising pulling in a respectable salary, but thought this might be a way to work Fri/Sat nights to pull in a little extra spending cash and essentially get paid to "people watch" in a club without feeling guilty or creepy for not dancing or drinking, neither of which are particular interests of mine.
And sure, I'll admit that the social "status" of being a bouncer is intriguing -- both in the eyes of club patrons (and the attention some of them get, especially if they work the door--everybody wants to "know" them) to the camaraderie with colleagues (free drinks as allowed for the position, seen as a protective figure for the female bartenders, good buddies with the male bartenders, etc.)
I've never been in a "real" fight and would not look forward to being in one, and only took some minor martial arts lessons as a kid and virtually no activity sports-wise in school (to the chagrin of many coaches, considering my size.) So no training/experience that would actually help me at this point, but as I understand it, it is illegal for a bouncer to interact physically with a misbehaving patron anyway, unless it's out of self defense or you are making a citizen's arrest.
Pros and cons? What could I expect to make for a weekend of work (not as much as bartending, I'm sure, but I lack the skillset/interest for that.) What are the prerequisites? I don't often see job postings for security/bouncer positions... do I have to just go to clubs or call and ask if they're hiring? Are they likely to hire me with no previous experience? Will I be expected/required to have a certain degree of aptitude in self defense? Does a bouncer typically work at one club only, or go around to several clubs throughout the month? Is this sort of job "hard" to get? Am I too old?
I ask a lot of these questions because at several clubs I visited recently, the security runs the gamut from "do NOT mess with this ex-football player" to "just a tub of lard" to "I'm pretty sure even I could take that guy in a fight with just one hand." They also didn't really cover this topic on Career Day in junior high.
How often per night (or per week, or per month) are there actual altercations that are more than just escorting a drunkard to the door? Should I *expect* to get in fights with either people IN the club or (worse) who would wait for me outside of the club after hours for a no-rules encounter (with them and their friends) for embarrassing them? What are the liability ramifications for a job like this? I imagine the same as a "regular" citizen, so is there a chance I'd wind up in court defending myself against people who got out of hand? Or showing up to my "regular" job with bruises or a black eye? Do clubs offer extended medical coverage or insurance for people working in this capacity?
I'm sure there's a huge "non-glamorous" side to this job as well. I imagine I'd be helping sweeping/cleaning up after everyone finally leaves, and not expect to get home until the wee hours, but I'd draw the line if I'd be expected to help out with things like cleaning the wretched club toilets. I'm not THAT desperate for money.
Dude...I've worked as a bartender in a big city (NYC), and I've worked the door. Do not, do _not_, get involved as a bouncer in any kind of real "bar" situation unless you are absolutely sure you can handle yourself. That means mentally, more than anything else, but that mental confidence better be rooted in the fact that you can take care of yourself physically.
Let me put it as bluntly as possible--if you think of yourself as basically a "nice guy", then you really don't want to be a bouncer. 99 times out of a 100, any physical confrontation is decided in the first second, and if you can't reliably take control of the situation physically or psychologically in that split-second, things can spiral out of control faster than you can imagine.
On preview, I'd strongly agree with one of mmcg's points, and completely disagree with the other.
For one thing, bouncing is nowhere near as glamorous and fun as the image you seem to have in your head. It can mean _hours_ of sitting or standing around, with nothing to do (and no options to while away the time, like a book, or an iPod, or chatting with the people working _inside_ the bar). It can mean getting treated like dirt by the customers, and it almost certainly _will_ mean getting treated like dirt by the management. Also, entry-level bouncers definitely do _not_ tend to be dating targets for the waitresses and bartenders. They're treated like they're a dime-a-dozen, because they are.
On the other point, though, if you're going to be working the door in a big city, you absolutely cannot discount the physical confrontation component. For one thing, if you're in a place like SF, it doesn't matter how _often_ it might happen--what matters is that it _will_, without question, and almost certainly when you don't expect it. Even if it just happens _once_, that's all it takes to end up either badly banged up or publicly humiliated. (Which is almost worse, as a bouncer--certainly for your career). Where I worked, it was down in the Village near NYU, so it's an exaggerated case, but we had definitely had testosterone showdowns several times a night, and not a week went by when one of our door guys didn't get into a pretty serious tussle.
I really don't mean to glorify this whole element of physical confrontation--it was really my least favorite part of the whole thing, and one of the reasons I rarely picked up extra shifts as a bouncer, even when I could've used the money. But especially given the personal background you've described, robbie01, I really do want to stress it.
The most important thing about it as that as a bouncer, your safety and your ability to do your job is grounded in your ability to project that kind of confidence (or even arrogance), and you're actually kind of a worst-case scenario. As you've admitted, you don't _know_ that you could just jump in take down an angry, drunk guy who maybe _loves_ to fight. That's just dangerous.
The guys I knew who got in fights the _least_, and kept the best control over the door, were actually the smaller guys who grew up in tough neighborhoods. They just emanated a very clear air that they'd jump into a fight before they even had to think about it. The guys who got challenged the most, and tussled the most? The big guys who looked like they might hesitate--that's just a walking target to a pissed-off drunk.
I'm not saying flat-out, "Don't do it". I am saying that you should be careful what types of gigs you're looking for, and have a very clear idea of what you really might be getting yourself in for.
posted by LairBob at 10:51 PM on March 9, 2005 [1 favorite]
Let me put it as bluntly as possible--if you think of yourself as basically a "nice guy", then you really don't want to be a bouncer. 99 times out of a 100, any physical confrontation is decided in the first second, and if you can't reliably take control of the situation physically or psychologically in that split-second, things can spiral out of control faster than you can imagine.
On preview, I'd strongly agree with one of mmcg's points, and completely disagree with the other.
For one thing, bouncing is nowhere near as glamorous and fun as the image you seem to have in your head. It can mean _hours_ of sitting or standing around, with nothing to do (and no options to while away the time, like a book, or an iPod, or chatting with the people working _inside_ the bar). It can mean getting treated like dirt by the customers, and it almost certainly _will_ mean getting treated like dirt by the management. Also, entry-level bouncers definitely do _not_ tend to be dating targets for the waitresses and bartenders. They're treated like they're a dime-a-dozen, because they are.
On the other point, though, if you're going to be working the door in a big city, you absolutely cannot discount the physical confrontation component. For one thing, if you're in a place like SF, it doesn't matter how _often_ it might happen--what matters is that it _will_, without question, and almost certainly when you don't expect it. Even if it just happens _once_, that's all it takes to end up either badly banged up or publicly humiliated. (Which is almost worse, as a bouncer--certainly for your career). Where I worked, it was down in the Village near NYU, so it's an exaggerated case, but we had definitely had testosterone showdowns several times a night, and not a week went by when one of our door guys didn't get into a pretty serious tussle.
I really don't mean to glorify this whole element of physical confrontation--it was really my least favorite part of the whole thing, and one of the reasons I rarely picked up extra shifts as a bouncer, even when I could've used the money. But especially given the personal background you've described, robbie01, I really do want to stress it.
The most important thing about it as that as a bouncer, your safety and your ability to do your job is grounded in your ability to project that kind of confidence (or even arrogance), and you're actually kind of a worst-case scenario. As you've admitted, you don't _know_ that you could just jump in take down an angry, drunk guy who maybe _loves_ to fight. That's just dangerous.
The guys I knew who got in fights the _least_, and kept the best control over the door, were actually the smaller guys who grew up in tough neighborhoods. They just emanated a very clear air that they'd jump into a fight before they even had to think about it. The guys who got challenged the most, and tussled the most? The big guys who looked like they might hesitate--that's just a walking target to a pissed-off drunk.
I'm not saying flat-out, "Don't do it". I am saying that you should be careful what types of gigs you're looking for, and have a very clear idea of what you really might be getting yourself in for.
posted by LairBob at 10:51 PM on March 9, 2005 [1 favorite]
Try for floorman, not doorman. Unfortunately, with no experience you're unlikely to get a job at a decent joint, and this greatly increases your chances of coming to harm.
The doorman spends all night checking ID, counting entries and exits to ensure you're complying with occupancy limits, and enforcing arbitrary entry requirements like dress standards and sobriety. Unfortunately, the guys on the door are also the most likely to get involved in a real fight. There are usually only one or two of you, and you're a prime target for a gang of lads with a gutful of lager and something to prove.
Floormen are on the inside, presumably where screened patrons have come for a good time. You often get a zone to patrol, which usually means sitting on a chair with an endless supply of water watching a section of the club for trouble. Some clubs ask you to circulate, but you're better off with your back to a wall and a specific area to watch. When there is serious trouble, you catch the eye of the floormen closest to you, approach as a group, and gently escort the troublemaker from the premises. Most of the time, though, it's "this is a non-smoking area, sir"; "could you tone the language down a bit please, sir"; "I think you've had enough tonight, don't you, sir?"; "perhaps you might sit over there, sir" and so on. Just looking at somebody and tapping your nose is usually enough. A verbal warning is the next step. There are no second verbals.
I really recommend doing at least a short security course to learn the basics and the jargon. You don't need to be able to fight - you need to be able to avoid them. You need to able to observe, keep calm, be polite, take shit and be bored for hours at a time.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 11:02 PM on March 9, 2005
The doorman spends all night checking ID, counting entries and exits to ensure you're complying with occupancy limits, and enforcing arbitrary entry requirements like dress standards and sobriety. Unfortunately, the guys on the door are also the most likely to get involved in a real fight. There are usually only one or two of you, and you're a prime target for a gang of lads with a gutful of lager and something to prove.
Floormen are on the inside, presumably where screened patrons have come for a good time. You often get a zone to patrol, which usually means sitting on a chair with an endless supply of water watching a section of the club for trouble. Some clubs ask you to circulate, but you're better off with your back to a wall and a specific area to watch. When there is serious trouble, you catch the eye of the floormen closest to you, approach as a group, and gently escort the troublemaker from the premises. Most of the time, though, it's "this is a non-smoking area, sir"; "could you tone the language down a bit please, sir"; "I think you've had enough tonight, don't you, sir?"; "perhaps you might sit over there, sir" and so on. Just looking at somebody and tapping your nose is usually enough. A verbal warning is the next step. There are no second verbals.
I really recommend doing at least a short security course to learn the basics and the jargon. You don't need to be able to fight - you need to be able to avoid them. You need to able to observe, keep calm, be polite, take shit and be bored for hours at a time.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 11:02 PM on March 9, 2005
I'm going to second both LairBob and obiwanwasabi, plus:
Having worked as both a door- and floorman at bars of varying degrees of activity (from "Packed to the gills with the cream of my home city's gang scene" to "cobwebs on the stairs, and not for Goth ambience") the only constant I can stress is that there is almost only boredom to be found in the job. The staff at the bar you work at, while nice enough, also already know each other. This is not always a bad thing, but cliques are a nearly-automatic side effect of the bar scene, and as a consequence the social aspect you seem to be most interested will likely take time to coalesce. In the meantime, you're probably not going to have a lot of fun.
Also, as LairBob stated quite clearly, projecting confidence is mandatory. I have generally been the smallest of the doormen in the bars where there's been more than one, not so much in terms of height but simply because I am not a gym-goer, and thus lack the muscle that the others packed. However, I do have a bit of training from another security position in non-lethal and non-harmful (but quite painful) means of physically controlling unruly individuals. The thing is, I know this, and I act like I know it. It helps.
From your description, other than the fact that you make me look like a speck ;) I'd recommend that you give it a try. Just not at a bar like my first gig -- Guns at the bar the night before I started, with a shooting in the parking lot across the street, and guns shortly before I left, two months later. Nasty business, gang bars.
posted by ChrisR at 11:17 PM on March 9, 2005
Having worked as both a door- and floorman at bars of varying degrees of activity (from "Packed to the gills with the cream of my home city's gang scene" to "cobwebs on the stairs, and not for Goth ambience") the only constant I can stress is that there is almost only boredom to be found in the job. The staff at the bar you work at, while nice enough, also already know each other. This is not always a bad thing, but cliques are a nearly-automatic side effect of the bar scene, and as a consequence the social aspect you seem to be most interested will likely take time to coalesce. In the meantime, you're probably not going to have a lot of fun.
Also, as LairBob stated quite clearly, projecting confidence is mandatory. I have generally been the smallest of the doormen in the bars where there's been more than one, not so much in terms of height but simply because I am not a gym-goer, and thus lack the muscle that the others packed. However, I do have a bit of training from another security position in non-lethal and non-harmful (but quite painful) means of physically controlling unruly individuals. The thing is, I know this, and I act like I know it. It helps.
From your description, other than the fact that you make me look like a speck ;) I'd recommend that you give it a try. Just not at a bar like my first gig -- Guns at the bar the night before I started, with a shooting in the parking lot across the street, and guns shortly before I left, two months later. Nasty business, gang bars.
posted by ChrisR at 11:17 PM on March 9, 2005
My friend who was a bouncer in Vancouver must now be on his guard more or less whenever he is in public. More than a few people who he ejected from the club bear a grudge, as well as a motley collection of weapons.
Something to consider if you're thinking of becoming one.
posted by sindark at 11:18 PM on March 9, 2005
Something to consider if you're thinking of becoming one.
posted by sindark at 11:18 PM on March 9, 2005
This guy is the UK's most renouned bouncer and has alot to say on the profession.
posted by the cuban at 1:08 AM on March 10, 2005
posted by the cuban at 1:08 AM on March 10, 2005
While I've no experience with this type of work, I think it might be a good idea for you to take some Aikido classes before or after you get the job- Aikido is a self-defense technique that relies entirely on takedowns and pressure to subdue your opponent. It's one of the least showy forms of martial arts out there, but when it comes to getting an unruly, angry drunk on the floor nothing will get it done faster. Simple and effective seems like your best bet for this kind of gig. And it seems like, if you do get a name for yourself, the "something to prove" crowd will be less likely to mess with you- they know you're not going to get in some big grandstanding fight with them, you're just going to put them on the floor before they realize it and have them out the door two seconds later.
As far as after-hours concerns go, I'm guessing the security staff watches the floor staff and one another out the door and into the rides at night. One thing you'll never have to worry about is lack of crew support- every time I've been at a show and there's been a dispute or altercation the bouncers always work together, and even the huge guys that get tossed don't put up a fight because they can't even guess how many more bouncers are just waiting for him to make a move.
posted by baphomet at 9:04 AM on March 10, 2005
As far as after-hours concerns go, I'm guessing the security staff watches the floor staff and one another out the door and into the rides at night. One thing you'll never have to worry about is lack of crew support- every time I've been at a show and there's been a dispute or altercation the bouncers always work together, and even the huge guys that get tossed don't put up a fight because they can't even guess how many more bouncers are just waiting for him to make a move.
posted by baphomet at 9:04 AM on March 10, 2005
I really like this thread! (and not just because of my favorite "guilty pleasure" movie, Road House... no, Road House... no, Road House) Good question and some interesting answers.
I'll second baphomet's comment about Aikido, and add a qualifier. Find yourself a school that stresses the harder style. As an Aikido student (and sometimes instructor) of many years, I have seen a lot of extremes - good/bad, effective/worthless, "energy flow"/practical use, etc. And some schools just suck. One thing to remember about Aikido (and almost any martial art) - it's about avoiding conflict. Or better yet, consider ju-jitsu (the Gracies are just plain scary). And still, even after training hard at a good school for years - you may be no match for someone with no martial arts training, but just happens to be good at fighting. Good luck!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:46 AM on March 10, 2005
I'll second baphomet's comment about Aikido, and add a qualifier. Find yourself a school that stresses the harder style. As an Aikido student (and sometimes instructor) of many years, I have seen a lot of extremes - good/bad, effective/worthless, "energy flow"/practical use, etc. And some schools just suck. One thing to remember about Aikido (and almost any martial art) - it's about avoiding conflict. Or better yet, consider ju-jitsu (the Gracies are just plain scary). And still, even after training hard at a good school for years - you may be no match for someone with no martial arts training, but just happens to be good at fighting. Good luck!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:46 AM on March 10, 2005
I had a friend who was a bouncer and I hung out at his bar a few times. If the bar is popular with frat boys or rednecks expect to have several "altercations" a night on weekends. Not so much on weeknights. From my observation it looks like a fondness for confrontation would be a prerequisite.
posted by Justin Case at 9:57 AM on March 10, 2005
posted by Justin Case at 9:57 AM on March 10, 2005
Have you thought about trying to find a job at a pub (or the like)? In my experience, pubs tend to hire doormen on weekends, especially if they're in busy areas. The clientele tend to be somewhat more low key and most potential fights can be diffused without confrontation. In fact, the best bouncers I've worked with were able to diffuse situations and kick people out in a friendly manner (along the lines of "Well, you were an ass and, as a result, I'm afraid I'm going to have to walk you to the door now. Let's go.") while maintaining a confident and authoritative air. ObscureReferenceMan's comment about avoiding conflict is a good one: bouncers looking for fights will find them whereas bouncers who use physical force as a last resort will deal with the same situations in a more effective manner.
posted by lumiere at 10:33 AM on March 10, 2005
posted by lumiere at 10:33 AM on March 10, 2005
To contradict baphomet: I doubt that any martial art is much use without several years of practice first. Even more so if it isn't specifically training for angry, armed drunks.
Second, it's the big hard guys who attract angry little guys with something to prove. Being known for being tough is just as much a magnet for some as it is a deterrent to others.
I've hung out in bars for a living for a while (musician) and my observation is that bouncing is long stretches of boredom punctuated by short intervals of violence. If you want the social benefits, learn to mix drinks.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:52 PM on March 10, 2005
Second, it's the big hard guys who attract angry little guys with something to prove. Being known for being tough is just as much a magnet for some as it is a deterrent to others.
I've hung out in bars for a living for a while (musician) and my observation is that bouncing is long stretches of boredom punctuated by short intervals of violence. If you want the social benefits, learn to mix drinks.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:52 PM on March 10, 2005
I doubt that any martial art is much use without several years of practice first. Even more so if it isn't specifically training for angry, armed drunks.
I'll second that--I studied tae kwon do for four years, and was state heavyweight champ in judo before I started bouncing. That's not what mattered. It certainly _helped_ on occasion, but rugby was probably the best training. What makes a difference is your willingness to jump in to a fight, and any sport that teaches you to beat the other guy to the punch by fighting dirty is the best training for being a bouncer.
posted by LairBob at 1:02 PM on March 10, 2005
I'll second that--I studied tae kwon do for four years, and was state heavyweight champ in judo before I started bouncing. That's not what mattered. It certainly _helped_ on occasion, but rugby was probably the best training. What makes a difference is your willingness to jump in to a fight, and any sport that teaches you to beat the other guy to the punch by fighting dirty is the best training for being a bouncer.
posted by LairBob at 1:02 PM on March 10, 2005
Also, consider checking out the documentary "Bounce - Behind the Velvet Rope."
It's entertaining, the directors commentary is great, and it does a fine job of showing the many paths to the same goal - There are brawlers, smooth talking defusers, reluctant ass-kickers...
Plus, what other movie has the lines:
Bouncer: "Say 'yay' for killing! Jordan, say 'yay' for hurting people."
Bouncer's 3 yr old kid: "Yay!!"
(I found it on Netflix.)
posted by BleachBypass at 1:21 PM on March 10, 2005
It's entertaining, the directors commentary is great, and it does a fine job of showing the many paths to the same goal - There are brawlers, smooth talking defusers, reluctant ass-kickers...
Plus, what other movie has the lines:
Bouncer: "Say 'yay' for killing! Jordan, say 'yay' for hurting people."
Bouncer's 3 yr old kid: "Yay!!"
(I found it on Netflix.)
posted by BleachBypass at 1:21 PM on March 10, 2005
I worked as a bouncer for two years...along with some barbacking.
Basically, I was 5'9, 190lbs.
I worked with a guy your size. A fight on the weekends...every week or two.
Lots of shouting, lots of authoritarian voices. No being the nice guy. I have a powerful voice.
Good chicks though...for the bartenders.
Sooner or later you're going to get into a fight. Sooner or later you're going to piss someone off. Good side? They're slow and drunk. Bad side - they may come back next week with five of their friends.
Tough job.
posted by filmgeek at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2005
Basically, I was 5'9, 190lbs.
I worked with a guy your size. A fight on the weekends...every week or two.
Lots of shouting, lots of authoritarian voices. No being the nice guy. I have a powerful voice.
Good chicks though...for the bartenders.
Sooner or later you're going to get into a fight. Sooner or later you're going to piss someone off. Good side? They're slow and drunk. Bad side - they may come back next week with five of their friends.
Tough job.
posted by filmgeek at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2005
I had a good buddy that worked the door a small easygoing joint on the weekend, he DID get lots of phone numbers and met people and he got me into the late late night party scene when I was in the mood for it, but from what i understand, his situation was the exception, not the rule.
I'd think the differences between the places you are looking at would probably make the difference between taking a chance at this and being better off forgetting it. You'd really want to know the type of clientele your gonna be dealing with, mentally, its a lot easier to defend your turf than harass the regulars.
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 2:45 PM on March 10, 2005
I'd think the differences between the places you are looking at would probably make the difference between taking a chance at this and being better off forgetting it. You'd really want to know the type of clientele your gonna be dealing with, mentally, its a lot easier to defend your turf than harass the regulars.
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 2:45 PM on March 10, 2005
Lots of good advice in this thread. I would just like to add: Wear contacts and keep a backup pair of glasses on you. Learn about body language. Learn to always keep an eye on the hands of any person you are dealing with. Finally, always keep it "just business" when you deal with jerks. No sense in insulting or belittling someone who may come back looking for you with friends or a weapon.
posted by mlis at 4:45 PM on March 10, 2005
posted by mlis at 4:45 PM on March 10, 2005
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for your very thoughtful answers! Certainly makes for good reading. I think I'm leaning towards avoiding the career move, at least until I've gotten into better shape and perhaps taken some defense/martial arts classes.
posted by robbie01 at 8:25 PM on March 10, 2005
posted by robbie01 at 8:25 PM on March 10, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
That being said, I doubt the physical aspect of the job is as exaggerated as it might first seem. As a customer, I've probably seen one or two physical altercations involving a bouncer, and they weren't 'fights,' they were basically someone being physically removed from the building. I mean, this isn't Mad Max or anything; people who go to clubs want to have a good time, not get into a rumble. Anyone who's looking for a problem is gonna find it, but I don't think that that is nearly as common as one might think. I think this would be particularly true if you were working a dance club, as opposed to a lounge or a bar.
posted by mmcg at 9:24 PM on March 9, 2005