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Brawn, Brawls and Bouncers
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Always unsmiling? Always rude? Behind the unflattering perceptions of bouncers are some unknown truths
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BRAWN AND BRAINS To keep troublemakers at bay PHOTO:
Bouncers have reputations they don't deserve. They are perceived as big, burly men who thrive by burying their fists in people's faces; as killjoys who eject merry leg-shakers; as half-thugs who love a fight. With such images, it is easy to hate them. But these over-sized men deserve pity. They have forgotten what it means to sleep at night. Some live under `death sentences'.
Balasubramaniam, a bouncer, once had a truckload of thugs waiting for him. With switchblades, rusty sickles and iron rods. Because he turned away a few bothersome patrons. "Our job is to scrutinise those who come in and monitor their behaviour. Even if it earns us `enemies', we have to do it," he sighs. As their profession involves `brawls', most bouncers despise it. Many are on the lookout for "tension-free jobs". Some, like Dharani have the veil drawn over their profession. Only recently did he muster courage to tell his family what his late-night job entails.
Sunil (name changed), who works in a big club, is yet to figure out how to tell his. He says they will not approve of it. For, he is a physics graduate and both his parents are teachers and his wife is studying to be a dentist.
"Since I sleep the whole day away, I have little time to look for another job," says Sunil.
In the West, there is no stigma attached to this profession. Partly because people train to be bouncers and are issued licences on successfully completing courses required for the job. And they are counted as skilled workforce.
Most clubs in India look for men with a strong physique and specialisation in martial arts; these recruits rely entirely on guidelines from their clubs and their own common sense to handle crises on the floor.
Club managers say bouncers need more than brawn; they should be good judge of people and conduct themselves well.
"Bouncers keep trouble makers at bay; but they have to be polite as well. Club managers know that people seek out clubs whose staff are friendly. So we cannot afford to employ scrappers who are always raring for a fight," says Martin, a manager.
"We try to avoid confrontations. Our duty is to see that everyone enjoys himself. But within laid-down limits," says Balasubramaniam. Doesn't this fly in the face of what we think of bouncers - unsmiling, rough and rude?
PRINCE FREDERICK
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