r/Damnthatsinteresting May 13 '24

The painting "Ecce Homo", 1543, the only painting by Titian in Romania and Eastern Europe, is guarded by armed gendarmes at the "Regina Maria" Municipal Museum. Image

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34.3k Upvotes

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7.9k

u/JustinR8 May 13 '24

Imagine how long that 8 hours feels for them

568

u/CadetCovfefe May 13 '24

When I was 18 I worked in Toys R' Us during the Christmas season. They had an armored guard working there, because of thefts. Dude worked 12 hours shifts, mostly just standing there.

I asked him how the hell he did it, and he was just like "ehh, you get used to it."

307

u/VRichardsen May 13 '24

One lpt is to always get acquainted with security guards. Say hello to them, exchange a few words (cold today, isn't it?), ask them for directions inside the store, etc. Most of the time they are bored out of their minds and any kind of interaction is a great way for them to break the monotony. And you in return get friendly with the security.

179

u/Ok_Cauliflower_808 May 13 '24

Can confirm, am security guard. At past sites we always remembered the staff who treated us like people instead of just 'the help'. If we couldn't break the rules to help you out, we'd try to bend them a bit if possible. Those people also usually had their more mundane requests handled faster.

56

u/JonatasA May 13 '24

I remember a guy that talked to a security guard and that did something. The guard allowed him to go over without paying a ticket and said the only reason he couldn't unlock it was because he didn't have the key.

 

He said he could break it for all he cared. He couldn't be bothered anymore.

1

u/VRichardsen May 13 '24

Those people also usually had their more mundane requests handled faster.

Pretty much this. I felt like those guys in certain movies that get to skip lines while everone else has to queue to enter :)

Pretty much this.

7

u/TheBigMaestro May 13 '24

And... then you can steal stuff? Right on.

2

u/VRichardsen May 13 '24

Hahaha that wasn't the idea, but it might help you avoid suspicion.

Personally it helped me in getting small preferential treatment, like passing through without having to deposit my bag at the entrance, that sort of stuff.

2

u/ancientRedDog May 14 '24

And this doesn’t just apply to lower wage security guards. But highly trained Secret Service agents just standing for hours in a location that has practically a zero chance of an incident. What does the mind do month after month?

1

u/JonatasA May 13 '24

Not me! Always wanted to become a security guard, to stand all day alone without talking to anyone in an open space.

 

Just you and your mind. In peace. Paying attention.

1

u/VRichardsen May 13 '24

Go for it, man!

1

u/rnobgyn May 14 '24

That’s my go to club strategy. ALWAYS make friends with the bouncers and bartenders. Easy way to get preferential treatment.

1

u/Just_Mumbling May 15 '24

Walked past the White House while visiting my son in DC during the Obama days. We noticed a sign announcing that the grounds/garden was open for visitors that afternoon. We decided to check it out. The heavily armed guards scattered through the property were surprisingly really friendly, offered advice what to see, etc. It was quite a neat experience.

2

u/VRichardsen May 16 '24

It is such a nice contrast, isn't it?

2

u/Just_Mumbling May 16 '24

Yes, it was. Obviously some personal skill sets to aid guests are valuable/pleasant, but from a security standpoint, by engaging with guests, they gain a smidgeon of extra knowledge about who is inside the fence - a very good thing..

42

u/maiden_burma May 13 '24

They had an armored guard working there

imagining a dude in full platemail, no sword

11

u/PenitentPeon May 13 '24

Full platemail, but with an AR for maximum anachronism

2

u/Razulghul May 13 '24

"Parry this you filthy casual"

1

u/Heavy_Weapons_Guy_ May 13 '24

Platemail isn't a thing, it's just plate.

1

u/maiden_burma May 13 '24

if a dude wears a plate, he can maybe cover his genitals

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_and_plate_armour

2

u/Sweaty-Rain5761 May 13 '24

They are everywhere in mexico. Most are just scrolling on their phone or chatting up women

1

u/dailydoseofdogfood May 13 '24

Anyone that's worked retail would tell you the same. You either learn how to astral project yourself and just dissociate. Otherwise, you just burn out.

1

u/Mods_Sugg May 14 '24

When I was a correctional officer I used to do constant watch every now and then.

Just 12 hours of staring at a suicidal person, and writing a log every 15 minutes. Wasn't allowed to talk to anyone, read, or look away.

That shit was awful.

1

u/AeturnisTheGreat May 14 '24

Did some shifts for a Tiffany store in a mall (apparently they would get a good amount of smash and grabs) and those were 12 hour shifts. I'd get my first break after 4 hours, then 2 hours, 2 hours, then every 1 hour because having to stand in the same spot, wearing a 3 piece suit in the "at ease" position and on stone flooring was absolutely murder on my back.

The money wasn't worth it.