The car guard - a valid profession?
posted by Paul
Formal and informal car guards are an unavoidable part of a motorist's life in Cape Town, and in fact all over South Africa. Identified by official-looking bibs, their only source of income is tips offered by grateful vehicle owners. Even though car guards are often ignored, insulted and brushed aside, they seem to carry on with their job, undeterred.I once sat in a shopping mall parking lot watching a guard direct vehicles into parking bays. I watched him help drivers reverse out of bays ensuring that they didn't reverse into something or someone. I watched five vehicles leave without giving a nod, a thank-you, or a tip. I wonder how many people realise that many of the guards are refugees waiting for their citizenship; highly educated and qualified; many with Master's and Doctorate degrees... in many cases more educated than most of their clients.
Many people believe that unofficial car guards should not be tipped. Many believe that official ones should be paid by the company employing them - though in most cases this is not the case. My viewpoint is different from this. I'm grateful that there are always three or four guards around to make sure that thugs don't harass Kerry-Anne while she's packing groceries into the car. I'm grateful that they warn me to stop reversing when a toddler runs in behind my car.
Thanks guys - even though you're unappreciated, there are many who value your service. You rock!
Disclaimer: Once in a while we do come across unscrupulous "car guards" who are just out to make a quick buck and have no interest in providing a service. They normally don't have an official bib; these guys I don't tip.
5 Comments:
In general I don't like car guards:
1 - I normally don't pay for a service I don't want. I never asked these guys to watch my car, yet they think it is their right to be paid for it. Imagine I did some random service for you (say sang while you were parking) and then demanded to be paid...
2 - Often they are only interested in the cash and don't assist with the reversing once the money has been handed over. On 3 occasions I have had car guards complain vigorously on being given only R2. I have also seen a car guard bashing someone's car as they left because he didn't get anything for a service that was not requested.
3 - I am not at all convinced that they make any difference to the security of the cars. My car has been broken into when there were 'car guards' around.
You do like the service that these people provide, so you are happy to pay. I don't like the service so I am not happy to pay.
alistair >> I knew this post would be controversial and perhaps elicit some heated responses. I'm glad that you posted your response as eloquently and clearly as you did. I'm however surprised that yours was the only response. I've had my say, so I won't restate my position. Thanks for visiting CTDP and thanks for your comment.
I concur with view in the original post on this issue. When visiting CT last year I had only good impressions of the car guard guys/some girls. We never tipped them until we drove away and they were always very polite, friendly and many times chatty.
R2 for us might be simple peanuts, for them it can make a difference. If the actual guarding of the cars is needed, then it's both sad and I'm grateful for those guards being around, whether I've plainly asked for the service or not.
My view is that these car guards are only using, and working within, a faulty system, maybe one should complain (more?) and/or review that system instead...?
Did you possibly see the story on the car guard that saved a child's life when a wall collapsed on a car in a parking lot?
Sure, they can be frustrating, but they are people, just trying to do the best they can to support themselves and their family.
I agree, it can be frustrating sometimes, however being Scottish and married to my lovely SA husband its a bonus being able to feel safe when riding around by myself in CT. Knowing that if i go out for a meal with my sisters in laws that we will be safe in the car parks because of the guards is something i wouldnt like to do without to be perfectly honest. the fact that I have always had someone to either guide me out of or into a vacant space is a joy and I DO tip everytime and say thank you. After all isnt it only good manners to thank someone, albeit verbally, who has tried to help you?
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