Bouncers getting hit for a six?

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The term bouncer has always presented an image of tough, thug-like bloke, who will physically break up fights and forcibly get rid of undesirable patrons. Many discotheques and nightclubs foster that image by hiring over-sized body-builders to handle drunken or out-of-control clients.<br /><br />Surprisingly, many of these men have little experience and receive no real training. In a crisis situation these inexperienced bouncers are forced to rely on their own common sense and physical instincts to solve a problem. With city-goers becoming party animals, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chandigarh Times</span> looks at a potentially charged situation that could cause trouble if not looked into.<br /><br />In a nightclub setting, the combination of too much alcohol, testosterone and machismo can at times lead to fights over seemingly insignificant issues. "A bouncer''s duty is to monitor the crowd and see it behaves and follows the house rules. The goal is to let everyone have a good time but within limits," says Pankaj Gupta of Copper Club. He believes most bouncers in city comply with the rules set by the club or disco hiring them. "We understand that and try our best to handle people accordingly. But we have to be strict or people don''t take us seriously," says ex-bodybuilder and now bouncer Rabinder Pal Singh.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />While the best bouncers are personable, friendly and can talk without appearing threatening or intimidating, many regular party jet-steers complain of a lack of professional attitude. "They seem very daunting outside and stern about letting people enter. But the moment a situation arises they chicken out," friends Sukhmani Malik and Bianca Gill aver. "The mere presence of a well-trained bouncer should remind the patron their conduct is being monitored. But where are these trained guys?" questions Jagdaman Grewal, another party regular.<br /><br />To be effective, a bouncer needs professional training on managing a packed house.<br /><br />"In a city that doesn''t have too many nightclubs, the issue of training hasn''t really come up. All bouncers are hired from a local gym that trains body-builders," maintains Gupta. Bouncers themselves admit to the lack of training. "Despite our checking, some rowdy men always manage to get inside. We do not shy away from situations, but diffuse them to the best of our ability," Rabinder is vehement.<br /><br />Amanbir Singh of Hideout, a nightclub in Panchkula, agrees. "These bouncers do their jobs well, sometimes even stick their necks out more than required. The problem lies with the inadequate exposure of the clientele, they cannot manage themselves and create trouble when intoxicated," he affirms.</div> </div>