Understanding the Ordinary: A Security Guard's Account

8 o’clock pm, he was standing solemnly in the grey, box-like security booth, eyes firmly fixated on the road and the gate of the residential area. Now or then, a courier or a deliveryman would pop up at the gate, and he would ask them the precise delivery information, and pick up his walkie-talkie to inform his colleagues of who to expect at the residential buildings. Then, he would return to his original stance, gazing at the twinkling street like a dedicated sentinel.

The security booth Mr. Jiang works in

Mr. Jiang is a night-shift security guard in my neighborhood. I rarely leave my apartment after six, so although we stay at the same place every night, I have never met him before and never knew what his life looks like as a “day-night reversed worker” until this moment.

He has worked here in this occupation for two years, every day watching the night from 7:30pm to 7:30am the next day. When I asked him what made him end up working for night-shift security and not a normal one, his response was succinct and artless: “They were short-staffed for the night shift, so I came over.”

He told me his “nighttime” starts from 9am in the morning and ends at 6pm at sunset. Every day, he follows this routine, and he has long been used to this routine. Although at first, it wasn’t his own will to work during the deep night, he found himself quite fond of the work right now. “It’s quieter and more tranquil at night. After 11pm, there’s not much activity on the street or at the gate; the city seems to go into sleep,” he claimed, “Everything seems so harmonious and relaxed, and I like this feeling.”

Mr. Jiang working

Mr. Jiang said nothing significant has ever happened during his work times, “which is great, because that means I have done my work well – I have kept everything in order and ensured a stable daily life for all the residents here in the neighborhood.” He liked the feeling of getting everything in control and keeping the normal cadence of life.

Mr. Jiang was originally from Hubei Province, recommended by a friend of his working in Shanghai, and he also came to the city located in the South of China for the first time. “They were short-staffed here, so I came over.” His answers were always like that, simple yet profound. He is like a small boat drifting with the current, letting fate take him wherever he goes, and providing effort and help whenever is needed.

Throughout the two years, he has been constantly working hard to improve himself at work. Even though his work is the same every night, he sets goals for himself to better qualify himself in this job. He tried to extract lessons and reflect upon the minor mistakes each night and groped for ways to improve them the next day. Every day, he said, he could learn something new about himself and his job. “Work must be done carefully and responsibly, making sure that nothing goes wrong.” Mr. Jiang is indeed a diligent and focused one. He gave an example: “Sometimes, I could not remember the car number of a residence in the neighborhood. I accidentally mistook them for outsiders, and I could feel they seemed sometimes a little mad at that.” he looked pensive and continued, “I hope to overcome this barricade as much as possible. I try to memorize as many of them as possible, so that I can ensure the smooth process of entering the neighborhood for everyone.”

After a little pause, he said, “I sometimes hope that people can better understand us, the things we do, the words we say…” His eyes lit up, “Some people find it annoying for security guards to keep an eye on things at the door. I want people to know that we do not mean to make things difficult; we do our work for everyone's good, to keep order in the community, and to make things easier.” This inevitably reminded me of myself sometimes getting irritated with security guards at school. Instantly, I felt a sense of regret and an insight – understanding is the kernel of maintaining good relationships and a fulfilling life.

Mr. Jiang dedicates his life and work with exceptional care, even if it is something that seems insignificant at first glance. It is people like him who put their heart into doing everything well, and together they support the whole community.

In the dark and chilly night, I looked back at the security booth for the last time. It was lying there quietly, small and somewhat unremarkable, yet the light from inside seemed exceptionally bright, lighting up my heart with an indescribable warmth.