Tough Guards Psychology

[Note: Bodyguard work is not security guard work. Bodyguards are expected to be serious, tough and silent. No smiling! Bodyguards do not carry luggage...they guard the principal...only. Acting like a bodyguard when you are a security guard is misunderstanding two different security jobs and clients]

I love the "I'm a tough guy/gal" security guards. They are tend to be insecure and scared but unable to accept that part of themselves. [Of course most professions seem to attract oxymoronic employees; physician, heal thyself, etc.]

Some are arrogant because they used to be cops, brown belts, bouncers or Taco Bell managers and so are better than you. Few have really seen the elephant, if they had, I believe they might chill out. As a friend of mine once said: "Yeah you can complain..., but, are they shooting at you?"

Tough guards can be recognized at rest because they are surly, sullen and enjoy harassing people who they do not approve of...ie: most folks.

I remember going though an airport years ago where as I entered the boarding corridor, I was confronted by a guard in the classic TV Gunsmoke gun fighter position, hand hovering above his revolver, "death stare" and hunched shoulders. I started laughing. He didn't like that. I thought: "Dude, "I'm not afraid to die, its just the mangling I wish to avoid."" [Arsenic and Old Lace, IIRC]

Tough Guards are the one who seem to be ready to kick the butt of skateboarders, harmless 5150s,  homeless people, big guys, tweaking meth freaks, other ethnic groups, and others who are no threat to them. They alienate the public and make the job of regular smiling guards more difficult. Mr./Ms. Tough Guard, the threat to you and your post will mostly NOT be immediately apparent. "Everything you know is wrong!" [Fire Sign Theater]

Some bosses like Tough Guards. They feel more secure that they have a thug who will protect them.
If you bosses want to do it right see: http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html
See also: Road House (1989) with Patrick Swayze.
and finally 2 more: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BodyguardBabes and http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheGuardsMustBeCrazy

I have trained with Tough Guards, they are the ones who barely qualify with their duty gun, (Watch out you innocent bystanders!) However, one brand of Tough Guards are (relatively, not IPSC or IDPA level) accurate shots...and they are just itching to show that on the job!  "Make my day!, are you feeling lucky? well are you, punk?" Dirty Harry

Of course, some Tough Guards are psychopathic sadists.[ex: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/serial-killer-of-sleepy-security-guards-nabbed/2007/11/11/1194724815885.html] [also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Hughes_%28serial_killer%29]

Me? I'm only a tough guy when that is the best way to defuse an invitation to a fight by some psycho or tweaker or to convince a psycho that I no longer wish to speak with them. "Go Away, I don't get paid enough to fight you for entertainment." But I'm a polite tough guy-- for there are Always witnesses who must be perception managed  and I don't want to lose my job just to feel macho :)
Are you tougher than me? Why, yes you are!, move along please...