# Workplace Etiquette:  Say Good-Bye to the Security Guard?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 13, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201 "2017-07-13T23:48:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201/21 "2017-07-14T17:49:42Z")

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I always greet the security guard(s) when coming in or leaving. Also the cleaning crew, maintenance team, VP or any other human I may pass by unless they are involved in another conversation at the time. Just seems polite to me.

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**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201/22 "2017-07-14T17:49:47Z")

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> [@kayaker](#):
>
> We stopped at my gf’s office building one weekend so she could get something from her desk. She left me with the security guy. I asked if I could check out his gun, but he told me he was unarmed. I refused to believe him (jokingly), suggesting that he must have a sawed-off shottie under the counter. We went back and forth about that until gf showed up.
> 
> The following Monday the security guard spoke with my gf about our discussion. He was actually a little bit unnerved. _He didn’t realize I was joking_.

You’re weird. Who thinks quizzing a guard that doesn’t know you about his weapons is smart? Hint - he’s not the one in the wrong here.

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**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201/23 "2017-07-14T18:04:49Z")

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> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#):
>
> You’re weird. Who thinks quizzing a guard that doesn’t know you about his weapons is smart? Hint - he’s not the one in the wrong here.

I never suggested he was “wrong”. I thought my chitchat was obviously lighthearted and joking. I mean, a “sawed off shottie”? Really?😃

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201/24 "2017-07-15T01:57:21Z")

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I say “Thanks for keeping the bad guys out; we’re counting on you.” to the TSA folks on the way in. You should see the smiles and gratitude I get for that small recognition of the real meaning of their thankless crappy work lives. I’m not doing it to earn their gratitude, but to brighten their day a bit. It works.

On the way out I just say “thanks” to the TSA person who’s enjoying their 15 minutes of calm silent solitude watching the exit before they rejoin the maelstrom for 4 more hours of screening the customer hordes. Sometimes I get no reaction, but most times they brighten right up.

As **igor** says, the janitor, the security guard, and the cook are as human as you are. And probably a lot more human than the VP.

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**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-etiquette-say-good-bye-to-the-security-guard/791201/25 "2017-07-15T02:41:54Z")

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> [@TokyoBayer](#):
>
> I worked campus security in college and appreciated people who said hello.

I appreciate all the answers to my question, but I guess this is a key answer, right from the horse’s mouth, so thank you in particular.

There seems to be a pretty strong consensus here! (Even stronger than in the Hawaiian Pizza thread!)

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