Posts
http://www.saysuncle.com/2011/02/23/getting-back-at-tsa/
Best responses to the "just trampling on your rights for a living" abusive guards' justification!
"In the Kingdom of the Blind, the one eyed man is king." This is rare. In reality the one eyed man is either marginalized, imprisoned or quickly killed.
Guards should not be seen or heard thinking. This scares the bosses and clients. "If we wanted thinking we'd hire a consultant." (and then ignore their recommendations)
Few are interested in thinking/reasoning. Better for them to seek more common pleasures. Thinking hurts their self esteem. The unexamined life is more comfortable. :)
Thinkers can always work customer service, if they are Nice. Many people need someone else to solve their problems for them and explain what things mean, without pointing out how stupid they are/were.
Ego prevents many folks from even considering the possibility they may be wrong. [Me, thesmilimgguard? I am often wrong!]
They feel their perception of the world is right and proper and actually more accurate than others' views. Even after repeated failure and pain they will not re-examine their assumptions and premises. If you try to have them think about something, they may injure you. ;)
If I was smart I wouldn't still be a lobby guard, so take what I may write with a 'grain of salt'. :)
Locus of Control: Internal v. External.
In the lobby I frequently meet members of the public with a near complete external locus of control.
"Mongo only pawn in game of life."
I hear all about the CIA, black helicopters, the Illuminati, white people, Bush and Cheny and how if they weren't "kept down" they would flourish. Some are sure the lobby guard is part of the conspiracy! [Sorry dude, the person I've been assigned to 'keep down' lives in NYC! ;)]
As I have a more internal locus of control world view, I am frankly amazed and simultaneously bored.
A guard friend often says to me: "I hate the Public." I answered "Everyone does."
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Lobby Dancing
I had one of those 'standard troublemaker' interactions in the lobby the other day. A young man went to talk to a "friend" of his in a looong line of people waiting for one of the vendor's services. He then stayed and placed his order at another clerk's station. He wasn't really a "friend" of the person he was speaking with, he was just a cheater. One of the folks on line said to me: "Do something, he cut into line! It is unfair!" ["Yes, ma'am, shall I shoot him or just chop off his head?"]
I approached the young man and said calmly "Don't cut in line." Intending to leave it at that.
He went into escalated fear/aggression mode instantly. (Eyes wide, sweating, shaking) and said "Why you coming up on me like that!" [Wow, I was impressed. He had lost his mind in less than 2 seconds!] I calmly said, "I work here and you cut in line, please don't do that." He said Exactly the same thing he had just said "Why you coming up on me like that!" I said again calmly: "Just doing my job." He said again in a voice so high pitched I thought he might have a future in the Boys Choir. "Why you coming up on me like that!".
I recognized this would lead to his becoming violent and his justifying this violent reaction as "self-defense". "Hey, the guard started it, he attacked me!" Half the people on line would agree with him and half disagree. Knowing from past experience that my bosses would serve me up and go the easy path, "Hey, you shouldn't have said anything, it was Your fault he hit you!" ...I just turned and walked away.
Leaving many mystified faces behind me.
No sweat off my brow as they say. I lost nothing in it because I simply did not Really care that he cut in line. There will always be cheaters.
However this young man then made the classic mistake. He misinterpreted my de-escalation as my personal fear and later approached me away from the line in a relatively isolated part of the lobby. Bad idea. :)
He started to say something derogatory and I smiled at him and held his gaze, obviously calmly waiting. He froze and backed away looking at my hands clasped at my waist level. He seemed confused that I was not manifesting any fear. He mumbled something incomprehensible and left.
Unfortunately some people are Still ruled by their emotions at this point and a fight ensues...at which time I can better demonstrate that I needed to defend myself. "The guard just walked away but this guy then sought him out and attacked him." Try to control YOUR emotions everyone. I was not always so controlled, to my chagrin, and let such folks anger me.
Along these line may I recommend a most wonderful site that addresses this most clearly and can help one get Much better at conflict resolution. Conflict Communications.
I approached the young man and said calmly "Don't cut in line." Intending to leave it at that.
He went into escalated fear/aggression mode instantly. (Eyes wide, sweating, shaking) and said "Why you coming up on me like that!" [Wow, I was impressed. He had lost his mind in less than 2 seconds!] I calmly said, "I work here and you cut in line, please don't do that." He said Exactly the same thing he had just said "Why you coming up on me like that!" I said again calmly: "Just doing my job." He said again in a voice so high pitched I thought he might have a future in the Boys Choir. "Why you coming up on me like that!".
I recognized this would lead to his becoming violent and his justifying this violent reaction as "self-defense". "Hey, the guard started it, he attacked me!" Half the people on line would agree with him and half disagree. Knowing from past experience that my bosses would serve me up and go the easy path, "Hey, you shouldn't have said anything, it was Your fault he hit you!" ...I just turned and walked away.
Leaving many mystified faces behind me.
No sweat off my brow as they say. I lost nothing in it because I simply did not Really care that he cut in line. There will always be cheaters.
However this young man then made the classic mistake. He misinterpreted my de-escalation as my personal fear and later approached me away from the line in a relatively isolated part of the lobby. Bad idea. :)
He started to say something derogatory and I smiled at him and held his gaze, obviously calmly waiting. He froze and backed away looking at my hands clasped at my waist level. He seemed confused that I was not manifesting any fear. He mumbled something incomprehensible and left.
Unfortunately some people are Still ruled by their emotions at this point and a fight ensues...at which time I can better demonstrate that I needed to defend myself. "The guard just walked away but this guy then sought him out and attacked him." Try to control YOUR emotions everyone. I was not always so controlled, to my chagrin, and let such folks anger me.
Along these line may I recommend a most wonderful site that addresses this most clearly and can help one get Much better at conflict resolution. Conflict Communications.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thinking?
The vast majority of the public, including those very well paid to do so, can not really think clearly or reason. It is a daily annoyance listening to them express their ideas and opinions when their reasoning is easily shown to be in error, incomplete, or unreasonable. It does, however, keep me thinking...and sometimes entertained in the lobby. For some I just nod and smile, as their position is so superficial or preposterous that ANY discussion will be pointless and frustrating.
Occasionally-thankfully, some DO remind me to 'check my premises'. :)
from Criticalthinking.org
"...We figure things out better if we can monitor what we are doing, intellectually, in trying to figure them out, so that we go beyond simply using logical structures, so that we go beyond simply making logical moves, so that we start to intentionally, deliberately, and willfully examine and take apart the logical structures we are using, so that we designedly, purposively, and alertly assess our use of the structures in everyday situations, and, of course, so that we do these things well: clearly, accurately, precisely, etc.
To understand logical structures is to integrate them, to establish logical connections between them, to make it possible for the mind to make an extended series of nuanced inferences, deductions, and derivations. “This is so, therefore that also is so, and that, and that.” The logical structures implicit in an educated person’s mind are highly systematized. The well-educated person is able to reason quite directly and deliberately, to begin somewhere, know where one is beginning, and then reason with awareness from that point to other points, all with a given question in mind, with specific evidence in mind, with specific reasons to advance, with specific conclusions to support, with consciousness of one’s point of view and of contrasting points of view. The good reasoner is always reasoning within a system that disciplines and restrains that reasoning.
When the logical structures by which a mind figures out the world are confused, a jumble, a hodgepodge, a mere conglomeration, then that figuring out is radically defective, typically in any of a variety of ways: incomplete, inaccurate, distorted, muddled, inexact, superficial, rigid, inconsistent, and unproductive. Then the mind begins it knows not where, takes things for granted without analysis or questioning, leaps to conclusions without sufficient evidence to back them up, meanders without a consciousness of its point of view or of alternative points of view. Then the mind wanders into its own prejudices and biases, its own egocentricity and socio-centricity. Then the mind is not able to discipline itself by a close analysis of the question at issue and ignores the demands that the logic of that question puts on it and us as rational, logic-creating, logic-using animals.
To understand logical structures is to integrate them, to establish logical connections between them, to make it possible for the mind to make an extended series of nuanced inferences, deductions, and derivations. “This is so, therefore that also is so, and that, and that.” The logical structures implicit in an educated person’s mind are highly systematized. The well-educated person is able to reason quite directly and deliberately, to begin somewhere, know where one is beginning, and then reason with awareness from that point to other points, all with a given question in mind, with specific evidence in mind, with specific reasons to advance, with specific conclusions to support, with consciousness of one’s point of view and of contrasting points of view. The good reasoner is always reasoning within a system that disciplines and restrains that reasoning.
When the logical structures by which a mind figures out the world are confused, a jumble, a hodgepodge, a mere conglomeration, then that figuring out is radically defective, typically in any of a variety of ways: incomplete, inaccurate, distorted, muddled, inexact, superficial, rigid, inconsistent, and unproductive. Then the mind begins it knows not where, takes things for granted without analysis or questioning, leaps to conclusions without sufficient evidence to back them up, meanders without a consciousness of its point of view or of alternative points of view. Then the mind wanders into its own prejudices and biases, its own egocentricity and socio-centricity. Then the mind is not able to discipline itself by a close analysis of the question at issue and ignores the demands that the logic of that question puts on it and us as rational, logic-creating, logic-using animals.
{Taken from Paul, R. (1993). Critical Thinking: What Every Student Needs to Survive in A Rapidly Changing World, Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation For Critical Thinking)."
I particularly do not love speaking with those so adamant about their beliefs who, when shown other equally (or more) valid ways of thinking about it, respond with a series of logical fallacies and ad hominem attacks. Especially the "You are just a guard, what do you know." Trumped! I am abashed! [and saddened...]
However I am energized and joyful when someone shows me that I have not completely thought something through, that I believed to be "true". Thanks, really!! (as I am prone to depression by my daily lobby interactions.)
[What is, is... I'm done whining now Sergeant Major!]
[What is, is... I'm done whining now Sergeant Major!]
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Lobby Thoughts #29
Microcosmic Economic Indicators: The recession may be slowing and the economy improving. As a guard, parking lot patrols show a sizable increase in small empty glassine packages for marijuana and many more "airplane" size liquor bottles. If there is more disposable income able to be used for substance abuse this may show some trickle down economic improvements...or maybe just an increase in depression?
I have finally realized that most people REALLY DO NOT KNOW what polite behavior involves. It is to them similar to some esoteric ancient ritual, only of anthropological interest. Their personal wishes, opinions and POV trump all else.
" People do not change until either there are terrific incentives to do so, or they have no choice."
http://shrinkwrapped.blogs.com/blog/2011/02/the-first-resilient-community.html
People MUST emote. They have little choice...even unto their self destruction.
You must ignore insults. I get called racist names many times a week...I ignore them until the speaker is within 2 steps of me... at which time, if not a physical threat, I say with a smile "Thanks, have a nice day too!" I so enjoy the resulting variety of facial expressions...I am sometimes easily entertained.
Almost everyone loves having servants and whipping boys. Guards are great for that.
Ma'am; "Skinny jeans" are for you if you are ALREADY skinny. They are not meant to attempt to make you look skinny. Only a diet might do that. No spandex either please, my eyes.
We mediate the clash of cultures.
When immature managers must lash out for their personal psychological catharsis, the contract guard is the only member of their "team" that they can arbitrarily abuse with little if any repercussion.
Smell is sometimes very powerfully evocative--beyond the nauseous smells of many of the public.
A woman had on a fragrance that immediately brought my long dead grandmother clearly to mind...interesting.
Do not let any judgement appear in your facial expressions.
NO SNARKY COMMENTS. No soto voce appraisals either!
Many of your best employees don't care about being secure and so will prop open doors, let strangers into your secure areas and chose really bad passwords. As the manager you will ALWAYS forgive these folks because you know in your heart that if nothing happened, security is of no import. If something did happen as a result of that emp's action; isn't it really security's fault after all? Life is easy!
The $12.50/hr helpers of the handicapped are wearing real Gucci in the Lobby. Their charges are wearing soiled pajamas and holey slippers.
http://www.cfmediaview.com/lp1.aspx?v=10_12247786_1274_9
"But it’s not just training in technology that is so critical for future security professionals, it’s also understanding the world of business. “I’ve seen more and more of my colleagues taking a year or going out to complete a MBA, and that’s critical today and I think it will be one of the major areas of focus in the industry,” he said. “Security is a pure expense when viewed by the board of directors. I was fortunate that my corporation understood the criticality and importance of security.” However, many in the industry aren’t as lucky. “When security practitioners are successful, nothing happens. It’s sometimes difficult to quantify the success of what you’ve done.” That’s why being able to present a business case and budgetary analysis is so important to getting the funding necessary to develop a strong security program."
I have finally realized that most people REALLY DO NOT KNOW what polite behavior involves. It is to them similar to some esoteric ancient ritual, only of anthropological interest. Their personal wishes, opinions and POV trump all else.
" People do not change until either there are terrific incentives to do so, or they have no choice."
http://shrinkwrapped.blogs.com/blog/2011/02/the-first-resilient-community.html
People MUST emote. They have little choice...even unto their self destruction.
You must ignore insults. I get called racist names many times a week...I ignore them until the speaker is within 2 steps of me... at which time, if not a physical threat, I say with a smile "Thanks, have a nice day too!" I so enjoy the resulting variety of facial expressions...I am sometimes easily entertained.
Almost everyone loves having servants and whipping boys. Guards are great for that.
Ma'am; "Skinny jeans" are for you if you are ALREADY skinny. They are not meant to attempt to make you look skinny. Only a diet might do that. No spandex either please, my eyes.
We mediate the clash of cultures.
When immature managers must lash out for their personal psychological catharsis, the contract guard is the only member of their "team" that they can arbitrarily abuse with little if any repercussion.
Smell is sometimes very powerfully evocative--beyond the nauseous smells of many of the public.
A woman had on a fragrance that immediately brought my long dead grandmother clearly to mind...interesting.
Do not let any judgement appear in your facial expressions.
NO SNARKY COMMENTS. No soto voce appraisals either!
Many of your best employees don't care about being secure and so will prop open doors, let strangers into your secure areas and chose really bad passwords. As the manager you will ALWAYS forgive these folks because you know in your heart that if nothing happened, security is of no import. If something did happen as a result of that emp's action; isn't it really security's fault after all? Life is easy!
The $12.50/hr helpers of the handicapped are wearing real Gucci in the Lobby. Their charges are wearing soiled pajamas and holey slippers.
http://www.cfmediaview.com/lp1.aspx?v=10_12247786_1274_9
"But it’s not just training in technology that is so critical for future security professionals, it’s also understanding the world of business. “I’ve seen more and more of my colleagues taking a year or going out to complete a MBA, and that’s critical today and I think it will be one of the major areas of focus in the industry,” he said. “Security is a pure expense when viewed by the board of directors. I was fortunate that my corporation understood the criticality and importance of security.” However, many in the industry aren’t as lucky. “When security practitioners are successful, nothing happens. It’s sometimes difficult to quantify the success of what you’ve done.” That’s why being able to present a business case and budgetary analysis is so important to getting the funding necessary to develop a strong security program."
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