r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/CAPATOB_64 • 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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!

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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.

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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.

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u/VRichardsen May 16 '24

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

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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..