I find myself at this point in time being ‘on benefits.’ Had to sign on this morning for the first time in 10 years, all change since then; found the security guards a bit unnerving, but hey surveillance society and all that, it’s only to be expected, especially in somewhere like a Benefits Office, where people get pushed to their limits having to deal with immovable bureaucratic staff, saw incidents of violence when I was last living or should that be existing off the state and that was pre ‘knive culture’ I’m digressing. So there I am standing up and waiting; all the seats were taken, so I squatted down with my back to the wall and legs bent, when one of the security guards approached me and said “You can’t sit down here!” which surprised me, as I was in no ones way and doing no harm. My response to the guard was "why?" he replied "because you can't" I then said “I thought this was a free country?” he replied “not anymore it isn’t, but you can sit outside.” “No” I said “I want to sit here” then the Manager of the office came over and informed me again that “you can’t sit here” my response to him was the same as to the security guard, why?,free country, blah, blah, blah, to which he replied “not in here it isn’t” just then my name was called, so any further disagreement was averted. Yes I could have gone and sat down outside to wait and hoped the security guard would come and tell me it was my turn, it was a nice day, but why? I don’t think I was causing any problem, so I didn’t see why I should! after all we are supposed to be living in a free country, I know that’s bollocks, but with little things like the above it is becoming more apparent that it’s bollocks with a capital B, O, double L, O, C, K, S!
18 comments:
Bloody hell Nuzz. Sounds like Babyshambles at the Forum all over again! Your gonna have to try and keep yourself out of trouble, mate. There’s no winning against them security guards. They love it…… the power trip and all that.
I understand where your coming from though. As soon as I come up against any form of authority, particularly in uniform, I feel an innate sense/ urge to challenge it stirring within me.
Seriously though, Those places can be real depressing at the best of times. Tavis House in Kings Cross was one of the worst. Most people took a ticket and waited outside with the drinkers until it was about time for their number to be called as it was safer that way. I signed on at Archway Tower once and that was one of the most scary experiences of my life. I mean really fuckin scary.
At least a lot of it’s on computer now which (Hopefully) helps.
I knew a guy years ago who used to work in the DSS. He told me that if anyone ever gave him a huge amount of grief at the counter, he would wait until they had gone, then take their file and shove it down the toilet cistern, never to be seen again. Next time the claimant came in there was no record of their claim so they had to start a fresh one all over again, which obviously only wound them up even more. Bit of a bastard thing to do, but they used to take a lot of abuse in those places. I guess that’s why they have all the security these days.
Take it easy.
Depressing places that seemed designed to grind you down so that you accept the first inappropriate and crap paid job that comes along...
Bloater999
Hasn't been a free country here since the late 70's. What you're writing about re: McCain below is true, reminds me of how Bob Dole, who ran against Clinton the second time, couldn't use his right hand, had to shake hands with people, lefty...I think there's something about this in Revelations. Just an FYI, McCain graduated 5th from last in his class at the Naval Academy...Christ, Bush could have don't better than that...well maybe not. It's going to be interesting...if this guys wins, I'm heading north to Canada.
Can't remember where I heard it (might've been on The Young Ones) - "Give 'em a uniform and they think they're Hitler". Stuck with me ever since.
Nuzz, you shit disturber you!:) I'm afraid after challenging some secury guards myself and winding up spending a night in jail (and worse but its a long story) I've learned for self-preservation purposes it's best to keep my mouth shut. Shame it's come to that.
katwoman
Jeezus !
As if it weren't bad enough in those places ???????
I'm with 'Nonymous 1 (para.2)
Bloater, Sunnyside... Good luck to you mate... Don't s'pose you feel like coming over here, we could use a little dissent right now ?
and Highlander.
Hey Kat' Hear what you're saying but sometimes it just ain't possible... I reckon you know that, too ?
Hey N.P.W. Do you reckon if you got your head shaved into a 'brazilian' they'd of shot you ?
Now that's a sick and surreal thought.
1) Looking for a bathroom at an "Alternative Festival" and winding up in the parking lot with paid proof of ticket in hand and 3 dollar bottle of water bought at festival cos they wouldn't let you take in your own supply (not good enough proof - the rules y'know), being unable to enter back in, so after trying to reason with cop who was acting as a security guard and being a real bitch, making fun of me for my taste in music, I called her a "fuckin cunt" I winded up face against the wall and hauled off to jail like some violent criminal in a sundress
2) being held against my will for being drunk at a fancy hotel waiting for my drunken girlfriend who didn't want to leave (I'll never wait on anyone again!),so I decided to get a cab, but they decided they "couldn't let me leave or they may be responsible" even thought the cab was right there! So they grabbed my arms so hard it left huge bruises, in return, I stepped on their feet in order to escape, for that the cops were called, my doc took pics to use in court - so those charges (assaulting security officers) were dropped - but the fuckin cops? Assault for stumbling forward while they "walked" me out in handcuffs and I "kicked" them in the groin (cause I lost my balance and fell forward therefore my back leg went flailing behind and brushed their groin) the fact I was swearing at them didn't help.
Not being on their good side, I was treated like white trash for having the cops called to my house because of an abusive boyfriend. I was "wasting their time". Oh well, all years ago and over with. Have learned to think twice. Be careful or you could wind up in jail. I'm actually a very sweet girl:) Don't mind me. Had to vent!
Like your blog Chris! Makes me feel like a whiner though!
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY!
OK so some security guards are little hitlers some with a capital 'H' but don't fucking tarnish everybody with the the same brush, I'm a security guard and i'm no little hitler and it can be a shit job for not a fantastic amount of money but hey it pays the mortgage, I work in a shopping centre and take a lot of shit at times and deal with some pretty crap things last week a teenager was found by myself in the public toilets overdosing not a pretty site vomit blood and a young mans life hanging by a thread at 08.30 in the morning, i've seen another man die jumping from the roof and an old lady fall down the escalators and die in the arms of her husband and it all has to be kept out of site of the everyday shoppers so they can go about their dull little lives and go buy the latest x factor dvd in safety, sure enough some of the security gaurds are jumped up two bob cunts but some of us are just trying to earn a living the only way we can with the prospects we have, best of luck in finding a new job Nuzz and don't let the bastards grind you down EVER!
Marky
I hear what you're saying mate.
I've done it at two rock clubs and an Irish Music pub. I gotta feeling The N.P.W. did it at one of those clubs too, but that would have been a fair time ago ?
Will think better of the guys in our local Tesco's although one (to use your very apt description) is definitely a two bob cunt...
(I'm the next guy you call after the police and doctor goes... I clear the drug paraphanalia...)
Stay cool.
Thanx for the nice words about the 'Blog' Kat', I try.
I just range between 'The Scrawl...', 'Myspace' and 'More Writing' Can't be arsed with a lot more of it.
I'm saving my horror stories-twice down West End Central and once down Kingston On Thames for the book...
As for whining ?
Nah, we're all doing that right now. We're in some pretty dangerous times and it isn't very nice out there.
Jobs are shit with little prospects of getting better, I sometimes feel I'm living in a fucking warzone in my own street and I'm about to issue a formal complaint against my employers (a local council) for covering up an official complaint I made about another member of staff...
Can't wait to get back to The Gambia for another break...
You stay cool, too.
And you, mate...
Goes without sayin'
Chris
cheers mate for the support and for keeping it all clean not an easy task, more people need to remember to see the man and not the uniform.
staying cool (for now)...
Marky Dread - fair point. I'll see the Man first and if the uniform starts doing his talking for him then I'll be able to differentiate. TBH I actually think cops, secuirty guards et al have a shit hard job to do but by Christ they don't half make it hard for themselves at times.
I don't hassel the man, unless the man hassels me, and that's down to body language, the way I'm spoken to, and responses I get to any questions I may ask. It's a shame that for every markydredd,ie someone who gives a shit and isn't out of control in their uniform of power, there are loads that aint, and it's a shame. Treat others as you'd expect to be treated yerself. I've been in several positions of 'power', but I'd like to think I was fair and firm (in that order) there are plenty of ways of operating within rules/guidelines without having to be some little Hitler, making bad situations worse. Thanks for all the comments folks, nothing wrong with a winge and a whine on a daily occasional basis.
Wise words Nuzz, 99per cent is shit, but hey still trying to be the 1 per cent.
I agree Highlander and to be honest there is a certain type of person who relish in the power that they have been given and they are the worst kind of tossers going, I know i've worked with loads of 'em and they deserve all the shit they get but at the end of the day it's the people that matter and all we can do is try cheers.
Marky, NPW, you got it right...
I think ?
I think we all did somewhere along the posts...
Marky said 'All we can do is try...'
And if it don't work ?
It's that 'Robert the Bruce thing'.
Highlander knows.
Stay cool all.
you did the right thing to stand your ground against pricks like that.I myself can not resist winding cunts like those up, i love to put my face in thiers and let them know i dont fear them.
Standing your ground is one thing, winding people up just for the crack sounds to me like you only have your own fear to fear, so you advocate making a possible problem a reality, I wonder who is the bigger sad sack?
well said marky, but there's nowt as queer as folk.
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