We don't respect security guards... and that's the problem
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Problem with the society today is we don't respect authorities anymore - police officers, traffic enforcers and even the security guards.
The job of security guards can be said as "thankless" yet their responsibilities are serious, and they are among the underpaid ones. They are often taken for granted until only something significant happens. Especially in the Philippines, security guards at the malls and at the metro rail stations are known mainly for searching our bags for some 'unidentified' objects. But we are forgetting, in times of emergencies, they are one of the firsts to respond. Guards also have the power to arrest suspects, detain them until police comes.
But they get no respect.
One of my favorite Filipino authors of recent, Alex Lacson, said in his book 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country, "Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier and other public servants."
Respect is a mark of most profound education. Respect is intellectual. Respect is more than just being kind to the person. Respect gives a positive feeling of regard. It empowers and makes the recipient proud. It gives honor to them and to the work they do.
If you are educated, you don't just berate security officers, regardless of who started the fire.
One Guarded Moment
While I meant respect, I'm also aware that some of them commits mistake and at times doing their jobs wrong - just like any of us as well.
Back in high school, I was accused of shoplifting by a security guard - and he humiliated me publicly at the center of SM Southmall.
I went to National Bookstore to look for a song book. I was carrying my guitar. I tried to leave it at the baggage deposit counter but the attendant asked me to just take it with me inside the store because it's too bulky for the baggage racks.
I spent some time looking for the right song book but I found none. I decided to leave National Bookstore and look somewhere else. As I walked past about 2 minutes, a security guard of National Bookstore approached me, asking me where I hid and kept the songbook I "stole" from the store.
What a freak! And he's speaking in a high voice. He grab my guitar, sneak into the hole and shook it because he suspected that I put the songbook inside. People are looking at us. Imagine the humiliation? The mall security guard inspecting your guitar and your pockets in the middle of the crowd...
Foul! I said why the hell he suspected me, and he religiously followed me until I reach Storyland. Apparently, he was keenly watching me from the time I entered National Bookstore til I left. Of all people, suspecting me? National B.S.
He asked me to go back to National Bookstore to discuss his accusation further with the management. He kept on shaking my guitar and my waist for a suspected stolen songbook. Before we reach, he was convinced that no songbook was stolen. He just left and let me go.
I was upset. I did no Amalayer. I was just an innocent 15 that time.
I told my parents about it (who's also at the mall). We checked on the guard at National Bookstore and call the management. My dad confronted them civilly, saying what the guard did was totally wrong and unacceptable at all. All the management and the guard said... Amasorry.
This and other minor incidents with security guards contribute to how I regard them. But just like us, they also commit mistakes. But that doesn't mean we have to be rude at them too. What's the point? As what writer Eric Hoffer said, "rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."
And I say, no rude man lessen stupidity, no matter how wrong or right he is.
16 comments:
I also have big respect even for the security guards. But what I also like about them is, they're helpful especially when you're lost like for instance, schools, malls, offices. It's like they're a human compass.
You are right in giving the respect part though I think these security guards should be given seminars on treating people as sometimes security agency just piles up people and you can't help it if one of these is a rotten tomato which can discredit their ranks.
Respect must be given that we agree. However, some security guards overdo their functions and that creates irate customers. My bottomline it depends on the situation. But yes if you can be civil about it that will be an admirable trait once you are in this situations.
I guess what we need is just understanding and respect for one another. They both committed a mistake, and the better thing to do is just forgive one another.
Respect works in 2 ways. Kinda like give and take. You cannot get respect unless you yourself do not know how to respect others.
I remember when my hubby and I are in Baguio, super angbabait ng security guards ng SM doon. Kulang nalang ihatid ka sa pupuntahan mo. :)
I too like to vent out my anger when the situation calls for it. For me it's doing justice for something wrong done to me so that the offender will learn a lesson and not do it again. Sometimes there are people who are on a power trip that you do something about and not just cower down in submission.
I may be irritated when they always check my bag but policy is policy and they are just doing their job.
I feel you. While many of them DO inconvenience us, I just try to accept the fact that they are willing to lay down their lives in order to protect us, should it come to that. Plus, they already don't make so much - why be rude to them?
Oh that's an irritating story. But if I were you I would be like the Amalayer girl seriously. There are many people, you can't please them. I've watched Amalayer girl interview with TV5 and she elaborate what happened. As a previous LRT2 passenger I saw an incident of a lady guard humiliating a student. That video doesn't tell the whole story.
there is always two side of a story, na tiempohan lang na ito lang ang na capture sa video. pero, halos karamihan talaga ng mga guards ay medyo hindi maganda ang asal at minsan ay nakakairata. pero ang mapait sa incidenteng ito ay minura at denegrade nya ung guard to the point na pinagmamalaki niya na may pinag-aralan siyang tao.
As for me, Amalayer issue is an old news and quite frankly a waste of time though I like your point here. There are people who just can control anger and usually display there misplaced annoyance. It is also good that you point out in at all times respect people even though you feel so high yourselves. thanks.
It's not the first time ever that an argument against a security guard like that at LRT event happened. Unfortunate though that it was captured on video and now almost everyone is ridiculing the 'subject' through online bullying. Both parties seem to be at fault but what "almost everyone" see is just one side.
I myself have unfortunate experience with a mall security guard same as you had at same age too! I was grabbed from behind and my school uniform's pockets were searched, ... Never told anyone about this, because there's no point! He just let go when he can't find anything and just left without a word, like nothing. I was left in the middle of the shop, humiliated! I was a kid so I didn't know what to do and thought I can't do anything anyway. But if one of them, or anybody for this matter, lifts a finger and touches the tip of my hair now, I'd scream on top of my lungs, the same thing I tell my son, nephews and niece.
Nonetheless, as much as possible, I'd rather avoid such a scene.
First thing first, not all SG are the same. But incidents like yours and in the vid make the people become rude at them because of the way they handle the situation.
Respect begets respect. Sometimes, we tend to forget about this mantra of life.
That seen should have been a by gone seen, all have faults the guard, and amalayer, but the greatest fault is on the one who post it on the internet, who almost destroys amalayers life
The presence of a security guard (armed or unarmed) will always heighten the morale of people inhabiting the area. Without question, people feel more at ease and protected knowing a security guard is present. Armed or Unarmed: Consider which type of guard you need.private investigators MO
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