Guards chewing gum

neil_18_

Going through town the other day I saw a guard leaning against the GPO, arms folded and chewing some chewing gum. He looked a disgrace, his mouth opened so far while chewing it could hit the floor.

How is this allowed? IMO if they expect people to respect their authority they should take a bit of pride in their appearance and how they act. Not slouching, arms folded and chewing like a trooper, mouth wide open in front of thousands of people. He looked like he didnt give a shít and certainly didnt look like somebody protecting the general public.

If i did this in front of the public in my job i'd be slaughtered by my boss, and i work in Penneys :eek:

Is this allowed? Do current guards think its ok, or do they agree with me?

MagicSean

How does chewing gum demonstrate an inability to protect the public?

opti76

i suppose he was breathing too... the cheek of him .. complain to the ombudsman this menace must be removed from our streets .

mr cowen

k_mac wrote: »

How does chewing gum demonstrate an inability to protect the public?

it doesn't demonstrate inability to protect but it does look very unprofessional, the same goes for gardaí on the beat with their hands in their trousers pocket in which i see on a regular occurrence.
i think it's the lack of senior members on the beat with younger gardaí.
There was a time when your were in phase two and a senior garda would take a recruit out and show them the way to do the beat walk and you'd have to get it right, the speed,hands behind your back, feet turned out

McCrack

opti76 wrote: »

i suppose he was breathing too... the cheek of him .. complain to the ombudsman this menace must be removed from our streets .

I don't get this? It's clearly unprofessional of that member. End of.

Odysseus

neil_18_ wrote: »

Going through town the other day I saw a guard leaning against the GPO, arms folded and chewing some chewing gum. He looked a disgrace, his mouth opened so far while chewing it could hit the floor.

How is this allowed? IMO if they expect people to respect their authority they should take a bit of pride in their appearance and how they act. Not slouching, arms folded and chewing like a trooper, mouth wide open in front of thousands of people. He looked like he didnt give a shít and certainly didnt look like somebody protecting the general public.

If i did this in front of the public in my job i'd be slaughtered by my boss, and i work in Penneys :eek:

Is this allowed? Do current guards think its ok, or do they agree with me?

Whilst I acknowledge your point, tbh I think people need to cop on about stuff like this. He was chewing gum hardly the end of the world, I think I know what you mean about public image, but it's hardly affecting his ability to do his job is it.

I'm not a guard, I'm a psychotherapist. I was part of an so called "expert" panel delivering papers at a education day in a rehab clinic in Dublin a few years back. I remember reading through the evaulations that day, and one person had stated that the speakers [a work mate and myself] where chewing gum and that displayed a lack of professionism. I have to say if that is all a person could see and project on to us, about all the talks we gave that day, they were sad. I went through them with my boss at the time, and as I had a good relationship with him, I told him whoever wrote that could go fcuk themselves as it said more about them than me. I also lecture in a couple of colleges and would chew gum whilst teaching.

I'm a member of the Civil Defense as well, the only time I would consider it inapporpriate to chew gum would be if I was delivering first aid. I'm not having a go at you personally, but I really can't undersatnd this type of mentality.

cushtac

mr cowen wrote: »

There was a time when your were in phase two and a senior garda would take a recruit out and show them the way to do the beat walk and you'd have to get it right, the speed,hands behind your back, feet turned out

To save money they just show the end credits of The Bill nowadays.

PrimalTherapy

Odysseus wrote: »

. I have to say if that is all a person could see and project on to us, about all the talks we gave that day, .

projection is just an excuse, blaming others for your behaviour.Typical therapy. As regards OP chewing gum looks disgraceful in a garda as does leaning. No pride in the uniform

MagicSean

mr cowen wrote: »

it doesn't demonstrate inability to protect but it does look very unprofessional, the same goes for gardaí on the beat with their hands in their trousers pocket in which i see on a regular occurrence.
i think it's the lack of senior members on the beat with younger gardaí.
There was a time when your were in phase two and a senior garda would take a recruit out and show them the way to do the beat walk and you'd have to get it right, the speed,hands behind your back, feet turned out

Sometimes it gets cold on the beat. It's more likely to be the senior members with the hands in the pockets anyway.

By the way, the "beat walk" done as you describe it can only lead to long term back and knee problems.

I understand the need for gardaí to look professional but we are still human.

L'prof

I have no problem with any of the points raised by the original poster to be honest.

mr cowen

k_mac wrote: »

Sometimes it gets cold on the beat. It's more likely to be the senior members with the hands in the pockets anyway.

By the way, the "beat walk" done as you describe it can only lead to long term back and knee problems.

how did you work that out?
so walking with ones hands in there pocket would be seen as good for the poster, ....and gloves...

Odysseus

PrimalTherapy wrote: »

projection is just an excuse, blaming others for your behaviour.Typical therapy. As regards OP chewing gum looks disgraceful in a garda as does leaning. No pride in the uniform

Would that not be more of Klein's projective identification? If a person is that anal that all you can take from a series of talks is that two of the speakers chewed gum, I would rather have a less anal attitue and maybe get a bit out of life. One man's excuse is another man's reason, and another man's pathology.

Esel

As long as the member can walk at the same time as chewing gum, I don't have a problem with it.

Eru

neil_18_ wrote: »

Going through town the other day I saw a guard leaning against the GPO, arms folded and chewing some chewing gum. He looked a disgrace, his mouth opened so far while chewing it could hit the floor.

How is this allowed? IMO if they expect people to respect their authority they should take a bit of pride in their appearance and how they act. Not slouching, arms folded and chewing like a trooper, mouth wide open in front of thousands of people. He looked like he didnt give a shít and certainly didnt look like somebody protecting the general public.

If i did this in front of the public in my job i'd be slaughtered by my boss, and i work in Penneys :eek:

Is this allowed? Do current guards think its ok, or do they agree with me?

It sounds like your more annoyed that the guard can do it but you cant so I suggest you either join the Gardai or talk to your boss and remind me, doesnt the security manager in Mary Street walk around chewing gum in an american football jersey in front of customers?

Personally I couldn't care less if your chewing gum as looking at you is not why I enter Penneys however I do see your staff chewing gum all the time, I also see them drinking, eating and smoking outside the side door or loading bat on Princes street IN FULL UNIFORM. :eek:

McCrack

It's not right for any disciplined and uniformed public service member to stand arms folded, leaning against the GPO chewing gum in the middle of the day. I just cant see any jusification for this at all.

This thread is not about Pennys staff, it's about a member of our police service protraying a poor image. Higher standards are expected from uniformed police by people and that includes image and how an officer carry's themselves and this kind of thing does no favours.

mr cowen

but there could be a very be nine reason for chewing gum... maybe the member is doing on the job training for an under cover unit and is just practicing what has been thought to him/her????. to see if they can fool passer bys!!!

did the OP even bother to look at the back of their hi vis jacket to see weather it stated that they were in the garda under cover unit....

Eru

McCrack wrote: »

It's not right for any disciplined and uniformed public service member to stand arms folded, leaning against the GPO chewing gum in the middle of the day.

By that reasoning its OK for private sector workers or public sector that wear suits? Whats the difference what someone is wearing?

McCrack wrote: »

I just cant see any jusification for this at all.

And heres the issue, why is it you think it needs to be justified to you? Hes doing his job and within his legal powers. Regardless of job, rank or uniform your paid to perform a set function, provided that function is performed then you have completed your assigned task within the terms of employment. Why people seem to think they have a right to demand more without any requirement baffles me. I walked past the GPO this morning, its still standing and in one piece. Well done to all the Gardai assigned post duty there for keeping it safe.

McCrack wrote: »

This thread is not about Pennys staff, it's about a member of our police service protraying a poor image.

Thats a complete cop out because you have no other argument against the points I raised.

McCrack wrote: »

Higher standards are expected from uniformed police by people and that includes image and how an officer carry's themselves

Says who and why? You seem to have decided all by yourself that the police have to obtain a higher level than private sector for no other reason than you feel like it but yet you also claimed we are the same and not entitled to any different treatment when the pension levy was brought in. Double standards?

McCrack wrote: »

this kind of thing does no favours.

Well its a good thing were not looking for any favours so isnt it? I will however be sure to put every private sector employee under the microscope and demand more because you know, I pay the OP's wages afterall.

mr cowen wrote: »

did the OP even bother to look at the back of their hi vis jacket to see weather it stated that they were in the garda under cover unit....

Can you please use one of the hundreds of free online dictionaries to look up the word 'weather' please?

McCrack

The situation is and I find myself having to repeat myself, this thread is not about private sector workers, this thread is not about Penney's staff, this thread is about a uniformed member of AGS standing on O' Connell St in the day time, arms folded, leaning against the wall, mouth open chewing gum.

If you or anyone else thinks that is an acceptable image of a police officer in full uniform and obviously on duty to be seen doing then I give up. Police enjoy (generally)high public esteem and people expect police to be professional and that includes appearance. Anybody that is sharp in their appearance gets noticed for the right reasons and shabby, dont give a fu*k attitude which this policeman/woman protrayed gets little respect from people. Sorry.

klong

I thought a Garda listening to his iPod near Croke park yesterday went a bit far...

shakin

klong wrote: »

I thought a Garda listening to his iPod near Croke park yesterday went a bit far...

sure it was an ipod, a radio earpiece maybe? even if it was, does it matter, ill assume he was using just 1 headphone?

shakin

McCrack wrote: »

The situation is and I find myself having to repeat myself, this thread is not about private sector workers, this thread is not about Penney's staff, this thread is about a uniformed member of AGS standing on O' Connell St in the day time, arms folded, leaning against the wall, mouth open chewing gum.

If you or anyone else thinks that is an acceptable image of a police officer in full uniform and obviously on duty to be seen doing then I give up. Police enjoy (generally)high public esteem and people expect police to be professional and that includes appearance. Anybody that is sharp in their appearance gets noticed for the right reasons and shabby, dont give a fu*k attitude which this policeman/woman protrayed gets little respect from people. Sorry.

well as i understand they do work punishing hours and if he got the chance to lie back i dont blame him, i know what your saying, and while it probably wasnt a very flattering sight, i dont think his/her appearance would sway most peoples attitude towards them.

spurious

shakin wrote: »

well as i understand they do work punishing hours and if he got the chance to lie back i dont blame him, i know what your saying, and while it probably wasnt a very flattering sight, i dont think his/her appearance would sway most peoples attitude towards them.

Certainly if I was a scummer intent on nicking a few bags I wouldn't expect him to do much.

shakin

spurious wrote: »

Certainly if I was a scummer intent on nicking a few bags I wouldn't expect him to do much.

maybe not, but if he got a call on his radio to an incident im sure he would respond to it, chewing gum or not.

Ayrtonf7

Deffinatly should show a little more respect. Personally If I was in the emergency services id take pride in the uniform I wear. Your not getting paid to chew gum, listen to an ipod, or piss behind a wall.

Your getting paid to protect the public.

People can laugh at it, and how stupid it is, but If you went into a resteraunt how would you feel if a waiter showd up with your food, shlapping gum around his mouth ?

its all about appearence.

shakin

Ayrtonf7 wrote: »

Deffinatly should show a little more respect. Personally If I was in the emergency services id take pride in the uniform I wear. Your not getting paid to chew gum, listen to an ipod, or piss behind a wall.

Your getting paid to protect the public.

People can laugh at it, and how stupid it is, but If you went into a resteraunt how would you feel if a waiter showd up with your food, shlapping gum around his mouth ?

its all about appearence.

all about appearance? i dont think so id rather a dishevelled es worker doing their job properly than one more concerned about their image.

Eru

McCrack wrote: »

The situation is and I find myself having to repeat myself

In fairness a search of the es section shows all you do is repeat the same anti-es tripe so nothing new there.


Ok OK NGA, coat...door.....

McCrack

Eru is that your only response to my points regarding this thread? Actually maybe that shabby dis-interested looking Garda on post duty was you, hence the denial and attempted jusification.

Bye bye.

Dermot Illogical

neil_18_ wrote: »

Going through town the other day I saw a guard leaning against the GPO, arms folded and chewing some chewing gum. He looked a disgrace, his mouth opened so far while chewing it could hit the floor.

How is this allowed? IMO if they expect people to respect their authority they should take a bit of pride in their appearance and how they act. Not slouching, arms folded and chewing like a trooper, mouth wide open in front of thousands of people. He looked like he didnt give a shít and certainly didnt look like somebody protecting the general public.

If i did this in front of the public in my job i'd be slaughtered by my boss, and i work in Penneys :eek:

Is this allowed? Do current guards think its ok, or do they agree with me?

It's unprofessional, and unfortunately not uncommon.

djimi

Ayrtonf7 wrote: »

Deffinatly should show a little more respect. Personally If I was in the emergency services id take pride in the uniform I wear. Your not getting paid to chew gum, listen to an ipod, or piss behind a wall.

Your getting paid to protect the public.

People can laugh at it, and how stupid it is, but If you went into a resteraunt how would you feel if a waiter showd up with your food, shlapping gum around his mouth ?

its all about appearence.

Its chewing gum; its not like hes showing up for work in a Celtic jersey. Maybe the poor bloke in question is self conscious about a breath odour issue he has, and without the chewing gum he does not have the self confidence to perform his job properly?

cushtac

Over the weekend someone ran over a Garda and deliberately tried to hit his colleagues, yet people here are more concerned about the chewing of gum in uniform.

Says a lot about priorities.

Dermot Illogical

cushtac wrote: »

Over the weekend someone ran over a Garda and deliberately tried to hit his colleagues, yet people here are more concerned about the chewing of gum in uniform.

Says a lot about priorities.

Actually, it doesn't. Nowhere were the two events compared, never mind rated by levels of concern.
Perhaps all discussion of topics not related to the Oxygen incident should refer to it's relative seriousness before going into their own subject matter?

CharlieCroker

What planet do you live on??? Is you're life that boring and uncomplicated that all you can complain about is a Garda chewing gum and having their arms folded?

Do you really care THAT much?

sesna

Would you be bothered if your surgeon came into your ward chewing on gum right before your operation, and looking generally disinterested. After all, it's just gum.

klong

shakin wrote: »

sure it was an ipod, a radio earpiece maybe? even if it was, does it matter, ill assume he was using just 1 headphone?

Most definetely an iPod. I felt it was unprofessional.

CharlieCroker

personally, it wouldn't worry me! Doesn't effect his ability to do his job and it probable that he wouldn't give a toss as to what I think of him anyway! He has a job to do and so does a Garda, Paramedic, shop assistant in Penneys. Doesn't really matter where you work.

Witcher

sesna wrote: »

Would you be bothered if your surgeon came into your ward chewing on gum right before your operation, and looking generally disinterested. After all, it's just gum.

That's hardly comparable a surgeon works in a sterile environment, the guard is standing on the street there's nothing wrong with a guard chewing gum they're only human.:rolleyes:

maryxyz

Standards appear indeed to have gone to the dogs

I frequently see Gardai who

• chew gum or eat while on duty
• wear thick tarty make-up
• wear earrings
• have elaborate hair styles
• have water bottle on belt

Don't their superiors enforce standards any more ? !

Maryxyz

Random

i have no problems with gardai who chew gum or those that happen to carry a bottle of water etc.

Witcher

maryxyz wrote: »

[*]have water bottle on belt

How dare a human need water!

:rolleyes:

maryxyz

maryxyz wrote: »

Standards appear indeed to have gone to the dogs

I frequently see Gardai who

eat while on duty
have water bottle on belt

Maryxyz

Oh dear god. Seriously. You walk around wearing a pair of heavy trousers, boots, shirt and tie, stab vest, hat and hi-viz jacket in warm weather and tell me you don't want water! Actually, tell me you don't need it!

And there is nowhere that says we are not allowed to eat. Actually it's quiet helpful in keeping up your strenght for when you have to suddenly sprint after a criminal wearing a pair of trainers, tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt.

Kop yourself on.

TouchingVirus

McCrack wrote: »

Eru is that your only response to my points regarding this thread? Actually maybe that shabby dis-interested looking Garda on post duty was you, hence the denial and attempted jusification.

Bye bye.

It wasn't :rolleyes: I agree that the sight was fairly unflattering, but I disagree that it was unprofessional - we all have our unflattering moments.

Firstly, if a scumbag took the opinion that that particular Garda was disinterested and robbed a bag, that Garda is not supposed to leave their post. The GPO is meant to be posted 24/7. However, pretty much anybody who had their bag stolen, or needed directions would ask that Garda for help whether he was chewing gum or looked entirely disinterested or not. He would still have helped, because not to do so would indeed be unprofessional.

Furthermore, I challenge you or anybody else to look interested in what must be one of the most boring tasks - standing outside the GPO, looking uber professional and ready to save the world, in the baking heat, lashing rain or heaving snow for 4 hours at a time. Remember, no gum, no hands in your pockets, no water bottle on your belt, no iPod, nothing. In fact, judging by the poster above, the Garda on duty shouldn't even spend some time on their hair, there are citizens to be saved! Stand to attention for every second of those 4 hours. Oh, and you get to do that a few times a week. I'm sure there are other things that Garda wanted to do, even I would take walking the beat as a step up and I'm not a member of the force and have never had to stand at the GPO.

Force morale probably isn't the greatest, it's a menial job (beat walking and the GPO post), things like this will happen. I'd say the Sergeants and Inspectors have their unflattering, hands in their pockets moments too. It doesn't affect how the Garda will do his/her job and that's what they're being paid for. In my opinion the people who notice these things really need to check the bigger picture. The chewing gum epidemic isn't what is wrong with the force at the minute, pretending otherwise means you're fooling yourself.

Just to add, I've seen much much worse in other countries, American police eating burgers, UK police having a smoke with all the appearance of being off duty, and I still went to them for assistance. Some people need to cop on a bit tbh

sesna

Blay wrote: »

That's hardly comparable a surgeon works in a sterile environment, the guard is standing on the street there's nothing wrong with a guard chewing gum they're only human.:rolleyes:

Why not just ban all food from hospitals if it's a pre-requisite to manintaing sterility. In any case, I doubt the surgeon would have scrubbed in for an operation while in a general ward. That would be just a bit stupid.

sesna

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Furthermore, I challenge you or anybody else to look interested in what must be one of the most boring tasks - standing outside the GPO, looking uber professional and ready to save the world, in the baking heat, lashing rain or heaving snow for 4 hours at a time. Remember, no gum, no hands in your pockets, no water bottle on your belt, no iPod, nothing. In fact, judging by the poster above, the Garda on duty shouldn't even spend some time on their hair, there are citizens to be saved! Stand to attention for every second of those 4 hours. Oh, and you get to do that a few times a week. I'm sure there are other things that Garda wanted to do, even I would take walking the beat as a step up and I'm not a member of the force and have never had to stand at the GPO.

Force morale probably isn't the greatest, it's a menial job (beat walking and the GPO post), things like this will happen.

Poor, poor garda on generous salary with good pension, great overtime, expenses etc. Amazing how people in retail, services industry etc can get by without chewing gum.

Witcher

sesna wrote: »

Why not just ban all food from hospitals if it's a pre-requisite to manintaing sterility. In any case, I doubt the surgeon would have scrubbed in for an operation while in a general ward. That would be just a bit stupid.

I never said he/she would have..your drifting from the topic, the fact is Gardai are human, you can't stop them chewing gum.

mal1

I hope the OP never goes to Italy. The police are very laid back in Rome. Ipods, cigarettes, gum, take-away coffee and sitting about the city monuments.

At least they are out on the streets. I don't mind them being laid back provided that they are visible around the city centre.

sesna

Blay wrote: »

I never said he/she would have..your drifting from the topic, the fact is Gardai are human, you can't stop them chewing gum.

You deliberately drifted from the analogy with a nonsensical comment about hospital environment sterility. :rolleyes:

Fact is a garda in uniform chewing gum in direct sight of the public is unprofessional and sloppy. When you're doing your job in uniform, you have an image to uphold. Same as any other profession/job including surgeons, etc.

TouchingVirus

sesna wrote: »

Poor, poor garda on generous salary with good pension, great overtime, expenses etc. Amazing how people in retail, services industry etc can get by without chewing gum.

Is that a giant chip on your shoulder? Why yes, it must be :rolleyes: There are plenty of threads around the place about Garda salaries, you'll be more at home in there with topics like that. The Gardai don't get paid to not chew gum

sesna wrote: »

Fact is a garda in uniform chewing gum in direct sight of the public is unprofessional and sloppy.

FYP

Unprofessional - Below or contrary to the standards expected in a particular profession - I don't expect the Gardai to not chew gum. I don't think it's a standard to not chew gum. I expect them to uphold the law and ensure citizens do too, which most of them do

sesna

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Is that a giant chip on your shoulder? Why yes, it must be :rolleyes: There are plenty of threads around the place about Garda salaries, you'll be more at home in there with topics like that. The Gardai don't get paid to not chew gum



FYP

Unprofessional - Below or contrary to the standards expected in a particular profession - I don't expect the Gardai to not chew gum. I don't think it's a standard to not chew gum. I expect them to uphold the law and ensure citizens do too, which most of them do

No chip on my shoulder. However, no sympathy for a garda having to stand on-duty for a few hours as is his job description.

Thanks for an obvious explanation of unprofessionalism. Sorry that you have no idea of basic work standards though.

Witcher

sesna wrote: »

You deliberately drifted from the analogy with a nonsensical comment about hospital environment sterility. :rolleyes:

The comparison between surgeon and garda by the poster was flawed from the beginning, they operate in different environments with differing requirements for conduct, there's nothing wrong with a garda chewing gum, they're standing guard not posing in front of Buckingham Palace, get over it they aren't statues.:rolleyes:

Chewing gum in one thing but then you have other people denying them water..what next that their socks aren't correct?

sesna

Blay wrote: »

The comparison between surgeon and garda by the poster was flawed from the beginning, they operate in different environments with differing requirements for conduct, there's nothing wrong with a garda chewing gum, they're standing guard not posing in front of Buckingham Palace, get over it they aren't statues.:rolleyes:

Chewing gum in one thing but then you have other people denying them water..what next that their socks aren't correct?

Water denying was brought into the discussion as a stupid diversion.

What is different about the operating environment. Both are in the eye of and dealing with the public, same as retail workers, bank clerks, etc.

Witcher

sesna wrote: »

Water denying was brought into the discussion as a stupid diversion.

What is different about the operating environment. Both are in the eye of and dealing with the public.

Surgeon- Talking to people, operating

Garda- Standing guard, bored

There's no reason to deny a guard a piece of chewing gum jesus if that's all people had to worry them they'd have easy lives.