Several times we've witnessed scenes where in the US, or almost anywhere, security personnel would have immediately stepped in and taken action. And every time we've seen Chinese security guards... do nothing. It's amazing. They are possibly more useless than banks that can't make change for a Y20.
Example 1. While enjoying a latte at Starbucks, Thomas and I witnessed a young woman in a dramatic tantrum worthy of a soap opera. While we watched, she lay down on the ground and didn't move for 10 minutes, no exaggeration. However, there was a security guard walking around who saw it, so we assumed it must be alright. Just when we were getting concerned it was a health issue, she stands up and starts screaming at the man she was apparently with. Sadly, we have no idea what about and it has been the object of speculation ever since. They went back and forth for a while, with security looking on, and then he starts to walk away. At which point she flat out attacks him. He stops her, they talk some more, and then they storm away. During this entire exchange, security guards did nothing but join the gathered crowd to watch! Mind boggling.
Example 2. At a bar, several people had gotten entirely too drunk including a young woman. She had been falling down and acting plastered for a while. All of a sudden, she runs up to a man at the bar, grabs him by his hair, and drags him by the hair 10 feet across the floor. Drunk people jump in to help, and a small fight breaks out. During this fight, several people are hit and a large disgusting man even shoves a bystanding woman onto the floor. A security guard comes up, tells the woman to stop, she kicks him, and he steps back and does nothing.
This fight continues as several of the involved people make for the door, and re-erupts outside the bar. Again we aren't sure what was going on or why she was so mad at this man, sadly, but it made for an interesting show. An hour later when we were leaving, the woman and her people were still outside blocking the exit, and just inside the doors was a circle of security guards talking with each other. Again, doing nothing.
Example 3. In the paper today --
A 20-MINUTE camera video clip showing inaction by a security guard while a middle school student was attacked by a dozen other youths has drawn wide criticism from the public.
The video clip showed the student was cornered and attacked Tuesday in front of the security office in Songquan Middle School in Luohu District. Twelve or so youths slapped, kicked and threw cigarette butts at the student, the video clip showed.
The security guard who witnessed the incident later explained he was alone in the office while on duty and was afraid of the youths, who often hang around the school to collect Mafia-style protection fees and beat other students.
Many of the guards are not actual police officers. But do they call the police? Do they even attempt to help? Nope.
In summary, perhaps security guards are not dangerous. In fact, they are the exact opposite -- useless. The dangerous thing here is to be attacked in front of a security guard because they will do nothing. "I'll call the police!" just doesn't have the same threat that way.
China, China, China... Tsk tsk.
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