Guards chewing gum

neil_18_ · 10-07-2010 10:10AM #1

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 · 10-07-2010 12:07PM

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

opti76 · 10-07-2010 12:20PM

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

mr cowen · 10-07-2010 01:08PM

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 · 10-07-2010 01:30PM

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 · 10-07-2010 02:38PM

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 · 10-07-2010 03:39PM

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 · 10-07-2010 06:39PM

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 · 10-07-2010 06:41PM

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 · 10-07-2010 06:49PM

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

mr cowen · 10-07-2010 07:04PM

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 · 10-07-2010 08:53PM

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 · 10-07-2010 09:20PM

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

Eru · 11-07-2010 01:05AM

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 · 11-07-2010 12:17PM

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 · 11-07-2010 12:45PM

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 · 12-07-2010 06:14AM

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 · 12-07-2010 09:29AM

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 · 12-07-2010 10:19AM

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

shakin · 12-07-2010 10:24AM

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 · 12-07-2010 10:29AM

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 · 12-07-2010 10:35AM

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 · 12-07-2010 10:58AM

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 · 12-07-2010 11:15AM

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 · 12-07-2010 11:21AM

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 · 12-07-2010 02:52PM

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 · 12-07-2010 03:13PM

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 · 12-07-2010 03:35PM

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 · 12-07-2010 03:41PM

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 · 12-07-2010 03:41PM

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 · 12-07-2010 04:24PM

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?

Guards chewing gum

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