I know of a few that have been sued, but i’ve been lucky thus far. getting out of the biz soon anyway.
[quote]Northcott wrote:
It’s more about awareness, confidence, and a cool head. Seeing the pattern of the trouble before it starts, intervening, talking people down from an agitated state, and keeping the peace. If it comes to a fight, it’s not about being Bruce Lee. Most nightclubs pay shit wages, and it’s not worth a punch in the mouth for that cash. So bouncers gang up, grab the jackass, and eject them with minimum fuss.[/quote]
This Pretty much sums up what I have seen and done. Granted I am in Central IL and not a large city, but from what I have seen awarness and knowing what is going on and having a little bit of a 6th sence about when trouble is about to happen helps out a ton.
I started out bouncing here at 5’10 185 and after about a year and a half I was managing the bar and still kicking people out. If your in a large city size could be more important, but seeing trouble before it happens and resolving the situation before it escilates seamed to work more for me.
One time the owner was in the bar and we were talking and out of no where I said “hold on” ran acrost the bar and took grabbed a guy as he started swinging a beer bottle at another guy. The owner was like “what the hell, how did you see that”.
You just have to know people and there actions… and being able to back it up is a plus…
patrick swayze in roadhouse rent it out learn tai chi
[quote]Spike9726 wrote:
My bouncing was at a teen club, so my experiences are probably minor league compared to some of these folks. while the crowd was a pretty rough element it was easier because they were smaller and less likely to be intoxicated (although we caught a few trying to sneek drugs or alcohol).
My question to the board is have any of you ever been sued civilly or had any trouble with the police, or know of anyone who did in the course of your job?
Oh, the teen clubs were the worst. These kids are just as cocky and have more to prove than any drunk. And they know that you can’t touch them without fear of legal retallition. Every dark corner of the club you will find kids hiding out, trying to snort something or hump eachother.
I don’t know anybody who got sued at the bars, but the same time I worked there, I worked mall security. I lived in the land of Jeoffrey Feiger, a sue happy liberal lawyer. This is the guy who defended Jack Kevorkian aka Dr. Death, sued gun companies on the behalf of the Colombine victims. There were three seperate incidents where he sued retail establishments on behalf of thiefs who got roughed up. One guy was all coked up, had a pre existing heart condition and was fighting with store security. During the struggle, he had a heart attack and died. One member of the security team was a black man, an off duty firefighter. The shoplifter was black. The store lost the case, and it really shook up the way security thinks throughout the state.
[quote]oztrav wrote:
patrick swayze in roadhouse rent it out learn tai chi[/quote]
Dont knock Tai chi it keep the mean Fluffy calm and rabies free 
Fluffy
Keep a cool head under fire. Your physical size does not matter when it comes to an angry drunk with a gun. Know what to look for and learn the skills necessary to disarm someone. This scenario may be rare, but the possibility should never be ruled out, no matter if you work on 5th Ave or a Tennessee roadhouse. I play in a rock and roll bar band, and have seen just about everything over the past thirty years. Drunken assholes with guns are my worse nightmare.
[quote]oztrav wrote:
patrick swayze in roadhouse[/quote]
“Be nice until it’s not time to be nice anymore…then call me.”
Bigger is better and I will tell you why.
A couple of my buddies and training partners have bounced at under 6 foot and 170-180 pounds. Both were regularly challenged. Now, they are very legit tough dudes(mma trained) and packed the lunch of a number of much bigger men. But that is the problem. One is still involved in litigation because of injuries he caused in a fight.
If you’re way bigger than the majority of the population, you probably won’t get to the point of having to tool on somebody.
Huge bouncers have much more peaceful careers. They’re also better at pushing
stupid drunks out of the establishment without having to dismantle them.
I would reconsider the job.
[quote]ScrappyAsHell wrote:
I hear what you guys are saying.
I freely admit, like I did in my original post, that I am by no means “big”. However, compared to the average schlub that frequents college clubs, I am no doubt physically superior.
I guess my main concern is that I don’t want to make myself look like a fuckin clown trying to get a job at “only” 200 lbs.
So, based on the fact that I am 5’11 at 200 lbs, 8% BF, and have an extensive background in athletics along with good social skills, should I pursue this?[/quote]
No reason to not try to get the job if you want. Worse thing that can happen is you wont get hired. But as far as the deterrent effect and intimidation that’s been talked about, I think it would essentially be nonexistent. And I would think that is at least as much what they’d want in a bouncer as actually being able to handle themselves.
Who want a bouncer people would try to pick fights with because they think they’re tough and/or want to prove a point to their girls or friends? So, don’t be too dissapointed if you don’t get hired. You can always try again when you’re bigger.
At the risk of beating this to death, I’ll add a few points;
-
You’re too small and moreover, inexperienced, to work alone - that said, where you want to work has alot to do with my opinion. If you’re working with a good experienced crew, of course, your weaknesses are less likely to be exposed.
-
Ask yourself why you really want to do this. The pay is not going to be good at your experience level. The places that pay well won’t take you. And allow me to let you in on a dirty little secret; the pay is great until you have to fight or defend yourself - then no pay is equal to the task. The only thing that makes the pay acceptable is if your encounters are few between. No club/bar/etc pays enough for you to fight every night/weekend.
-
RE no. 2 above again. Even though it’s a license to shoplift the poo nani na, and you think you’re larger than most the crowd, do not forget that sometimes you have to handle more than one guy. Is it worth it for you for a few bucks and some more phone numbers?
-
Most of what everyone said in this thread is valid but the bottom line is that most people that do this job and do it well and come out relatively unscathed have a certain temperment and confidence to begin with. Your coming here to ask the question tells me you do not have the temperment or confidence to back someone down which, political skills aside, is a very valuable trait.
Non alpha males have a sense when they are in alpha territory or even in the presence of a superior Alpha. If you’re not an alpha male, you have no business doing this job regardless of where or with what crew - you’re a liability waiting to get hurt or get someone else hurt and its just not worth the money.
- If you do somehow get hired, watch the crew you work with. There are plenty of seemingly tough guys doing this job that are nothing more than bullies. When push comes to shove, they’ll let you down and you’ll be caught in the middle. Too many bouncers look forward to or even try to bring on an altercation - avoid those places like the plague.
I used to work with such a crew and they had started so much local trouble they were nervous about showing up for work when I wasn’t working. That’s not the type you want watching your back - and that type is all too common - puffed up, amped up tough guys…avoid working with them.
- Consider the pay AGAIN v. the liabilities. I can’t tell you how many times I had to go to court b/c someone drunken idiot I had to handle signed a complaint AGAINST me. Now, I got different issues at 6’1" and 275 - judge looks at me and looks at weasel and I have certain presumptions against me. You won’t have that problem with your relatively smaller size, but consider for a second if it’s worth the damn trouble.
All the above said is a bit skirting around the main issue - I don’t sense you’re an alpha male by the question to begin with an the tone of your questions - I’m not dogging you or flaming you - just pointing out a fact. I really don’t think its for you…just my humble opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
[quote]JD430 wrote:
Bigger is better and I will tell you why.
A couple of my buddies and training partners have bounced at under 6 foot and 170-180 pounds. Both were regularly challenged. Now, they are very legit tough dudes(mma trained) and packed the lunch of a number of much bigger men. But that is the problem. One is still involved in litigation because of injuries he caused in a fight.
If you’re way bigger than the majority of the population, you probably won’t get to the point of having to tool on somebody.
Huge bouncers have much more peaceful careers. They’re also better at pushing
stupid drunks out of the establishment without having to dismantle them.
I would reconsider the job.[/quote]
That’s how I feel about it, but again, it also depends on where they are in the country. I know, in Texas, I just haven’t seen any 180lbs bouncers. If they were there, they sure as hell didn’t look the part or stand out in front. Maybe it works differently in smaller cities.
this is probably the first thread i have ever read where everyone actually makes valid points. i bounce at the local peeler parlor and i am only 180ish. yes, i am mma trained. but no one is going to know that just by looking at me.
one of my former training partners was a bouncer and he stood 6’4" and at around 260 was a much more intimidating prescence than me. could i mop the floor with him? yes, but his size alone deterred more fights than i ever could.
[quote]ZEB wrote:
oztrav wrote:
patrick swayze in roadhouse
“Be nice until it’s not time to be nice anymore…then call me.”[/quote]
Not only is that the biggest part but trickery plays a big part. There were so many times where a guy was starting trouble and I accused him of being under age. I guess drunks love to prove they’re over 21 because they always hand over their ID. Snatch that ID and head straight to the door. He will always drop everything and give chase. Once he’s out the door he’s easier to control. Plus, if you work at good club there is always a off duty cop outside. That also helps…allot
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
At the risk of beating this to death, I’ll add a few points;
-
You’re too small and moreover, inexperienced, to work alone - that said, where you want to work has alot to do with my opinion. If you’re working with a good experienced crew, of course, your weaknesses are less likely to be exposed.
-
Ask yourself why you really want to do this. The pay is not going to be good at your experience level. The places that pay well won’t take you. And allow me to let you in on a dirty little secret; the pay is great until you have to fight or defend yourself - then no pay is equal to the task. The only thing that makes the pay acceptable is if your encounters are few between. No club/bar/etc pays enough for you to fight every night/weekend.
-
RE no. 2 above again. Even though it’s a license to shoplift the poo nani na, and you think you’re larger than most the crowd, do not forget that sometimes you have to handle more than one guy. Is it worth it for you for a few bucks and some more phone numbers?
-
Most of what everyone said in this thread is valid but the bottom line is that most people that do this job and do it well and come out relatively unscathed have a certain temperment and confidence to begin with. Your coming here to ask the question tells me you do not have the temperment or confidence to back someone down which, political skills aside, is a very valuable trait.
Non alpha males have a sense when they are in alpha territory or even in the presence of a superior Alpha. If you’re not an Alpha Male, you have no business doing this job regardless of where or with what crew - you’re a liability waiting to get hurt or get someone else hurt and its just not worth the money.
- If you do somehow get hired, watch the crew you work with. There are plenty of seemingly tough guys doing this job that are nothing more than bullies. When push comes to shove, they’ll let you down and you’ll be caught in the middle. Too many bouncers look forward to or even try to bring on an altercation - avoid those places like the plague.
I used to work with such a crew and they had started so much local trouble they were nervous about showing up for work when I wasn’t working. That’s not the type you want watching your back - and that type is all too common - puffed up, amped up tough guys…avoid working with them.
- Consider the pay AGAIN v. the liabilities. I can’t tell you how many times I had to go to court b/c someone drunken idiot I had to handle signed a complaint AGAINST me. Now, I got different issues at 6’1" and 275 - judge looks at me and looks at weasel and I have certain presumptions against me. You won’t have that problem with your relatively smaller size, but consider for a second if it’s worth the damn trouble.
All the above said is a bit skirting around the main issue - I don’t sense you’re an Alpha Male by the question to begin with an the tone of your questions - I’m not dogging you or flaming you - just pointing out a fact. I really don’t think its for you…just my humble opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.[/quote]
I appreciate you taking the time to give me a legit response.
However, you don’t know shit about my personality or demeanor. The fact that I asked some questions about a business I want to be involved in has nothing to do with my potential prowess as a bouncer. What the fuck do you want me to do, get into a potentially dangerous business without garnering some information and tips from people who are knowledgable about it? Gimme a fuckin break.
And the whole “Alpha Male” thing? Again, gimme a fuckin break. Im not “dogging you or flaming you” but please tell me you dont buy into the PUA bullshit. Save that shit for the high schoolers bud.
Dude, your well on to becoming a millionaire…
[quote]
Not only is that the biggest part but trickery plays a big part. There were so many times where a guy was starting trouble and I accused him of being under age. I guess drunks love to prove they’re over 21 because they always hand over their ID. Snatch that ID and head straight to the door. He will always drop everything and give chase. Once he’s out the door he’s easier to control. [/quote]
haha thats a good one, im gonna try that!
[quote]ScrappyAsHell wrote:
TheBodyGuard wrote:
At the risk of beating this to death, I’ll add a few points;
-
You’re too small and moreover, inexperienced, to work alone - that said, where you want to work has alot to do with my opinion. If you’re working with a good experienced crew, of course, your weaknesses are less likely to be exposed.
-
Ask yourself why you really want to do this. The pay is not going to be good at your experience level. The places that pay well won’t take you. And allow me to let you in on a dirty little secret; the pay is great until you have to fight or defend yourself - then no pay is equal to the task. The only thing that makes the pay acceptable is if your encounters are few between. No club/bar/etc pays enough for you to fight every night/weekend.
-
RE no. 2 above again. Even though it’s a license to shoplift the poo nani na, and you think you’re larger than most the crowd, do not forget that sometimes you have to handle more than one guy. Is it worth it for you for a few bucks and some more phone numbers?
-
Most of what everyone said in this thread is valid but the bottom line is that most people that do this job and do it well and come out relatively unscathed have a certain temperment and confidence to begin with. Your coming here to ask the question tells me you do not have the temperment or confidence to back someone down which, political skills aside, is a very valuable trait.
Non alpha males have a sense when they are in alpha territory or even in the presence of a superior Alpha. If you’re not an Alpha Male, you have no business doing this job regardless of where or with what crew - you’re a liability waiting to get hurt or get someone else hurt and its just not worth the money.
- If you do somehow get hired, watch the crew you work with. There are plenty of seemingly tough guys doing this job that are nothing more than bullies. When push comes to shove, they’ll let you down and you’ll be caught in the middle. Too many bouncers look forward to or even try to bring on an altercation - avoid those places like the plague.
I used to work with such a crew and they had started so much local trouble they were nervous about showing up for work when I wasn’t working. That’s not the type you want watching your back - and that type is all too common - puffed up, amped up tough guys…avoid working with them.
- Consider the pay AGAIN v. the liabilities. I can’t tell you how many times I had to go to court b/c someone drunken idiot I had to handle signed a complaint AGAINST me. Now, I got different issues at 6’1" and 275 - judge looks at me and looks at weasel and I have certain presumptions against me. You won’t have that problem with your relatively smaller size, but consider for a second if it’s worth the damn trouble.
All the above said is a bit skirting around the main issue - I don’t sense you’re an Alpha Male by the question to begin with an the tone of your questions - I’m not dogging you or flaming you - just pointing out a fact. I really don’t think its for you…just my humble opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
I appreciate you taking the time to give me a legit response.
However, you don’t know shit about my personality or demeanor. The fact that I asked some questions about a business I want to be involved in has nothing to do with my potential prowess as a bouncer. What the fuck do you want me to do, get into a potentially dangerous business without garnering some information and tips from people who are knowledgable about it? Gimme a fuckin break.
And the whole “Alpha Male” thing? Again, gimme a fuckin break. Im not “dogging you or flaming you” but please tell me you dont buy into the PUA bullshit. Save that shit for the high schoolers bud.[/quote]
Scrappy
I dont always agree with Bodyguard but he is rigth on the money with everything he posted even the Alpha Male thing.
The Alpha Male is not some ripped huge monster of a man but someone that people give almost instant respect to.
The place I am currently working in has 3 guys that you would call an Alpha Male, the owner of the place is a member of a well known crime family even thougth he is only 5’5" noone cross’s him even if you dont know his background because he give off a certain vibe.
Myself not because I am big or my devestating good looks but my confidense I am a trained proffessional and even thougth I may joke and have fun with the crowd, my confidences make people think twice before starting something.
The other guy is just a regular customer and he just oozes dont fuck with me. he is always with some hottie on his arm but he has that aura that just say you wont survive the encounter.
Even then some idiot will come in looking to start a fight.
Your rigth we dont know your attitude or demeanor so we have to give general answers, and you hit the nail on the head it is a potentially dangerous, who other than an Alpha Male can pull it of sure there are plenty of bouncers who are not alpha males and will never be, but are in that industrie, Shit Happens
Fluffy
[quote]Fluffy wrote:
Scrappy
I dont always agree with Bodyguard but he is rigth on the money with everything he posted even the Alpha Male thing.
The Alpha Male is not some ripped huge monster of a man but someone that people give almost instant respect to.
The place I am currently working in has 3 guys that you would call an Alpha Male, the owner of the place is a member of a well known crime family even thougth he is only 5’5" noone cross’s him even if you dont know his background because he give off a certain vibe.
Myself not because I am big or my devestating good looks but my confidense I am a trained proffessional and even thougth I may joke and have fun with the crowd, my confidences make people think twice before starting something.
The other guy is just a regular customer and he just oozes dont fuck with me. he is always with some hottie on his arm but he has that aura that just say you wont survive the encounter.
Even then some idiot will come in looking to start a fight.
Your rigth we dont know your attitude or demeanor so we have to give general answers, and you hit the nail on the head it is a potentially dangerous, who other than an Alpha Male can pull it of sure there are plenty of bouncers who are not alpha males and will never be, but are in that industrie, Shit Happens
Fluffy
[/quote]
I see what you’re sayin man. I totally understand that the business you guys are involved in is extremely dangerous. Thats why I want to know as much as I can before I involve myself in this trade.
But like I said, 200 lbs. at 8% isnt shit. I realize that size plays a very important role. I’m gonna put on some more pounds before I jump into this. I want to be at least 210. I can pack that on in about 6 months if I put my mind to it.
Anyway, I’m not trying to start shit with anybody. I appreciate all of your guys responses - even the “Alpha Male” stuff.
When people started questioning whether I have the balls to be a bouncer, I felt the need defend myself - even if it is over the internet. Like I said, I’m not a pussy - I pay my dues in the gym on a daily basis, and I was able to hang in on a nationally ranked rugby team for a year without any prior experience. I played 4 years of varsity football, and I have been involved in more scraps than I can count. I don’t want to sound like a fuckin e-thug, but I don’t like when certain characteristics about me are called into question by people who don’t know me. The issue at hand is whether I have the size to bounce, and right now, at a solid 200, I don’t think I do.
Anyway, do you guys think if I can bulk to 210 at about 8% I would be legit for a bouncer, or do I need to get even bigger?
First off, the difference between 200 and 210 is not much (visibly or literally). Secondly, I would hope to hell that you could put on 10 pounds in 6 months. That is only .4 lbs./wk. Most people bulking strive for about a pound a week if I recall.
I would suggest that you set your aim slightly higher. That is just my opinion.
Chris
[quote]Big_Country wrote:
First off, the difference between 200 and 210 is not much (visibly or literally). Secondly, I would hope to hell that you could put on 10 pounds in 6 months. That is only .4 lbs./wk. Most people bulking strive for about a pound a week if I recall.
I would suggest that you set your aim slightly higher. That is just my opinion.
Chris[/quote]
Muscle is bad, mm’kay?