ABSTRACT
Over 40 per cent of individuals refused entry argued with the doorman, and on failing to gain entry frequently displayed fear-submission in compressed mouth, bowed head, hand-to-head, agitation, complaining, and pleading voice of raised and variable pitch and other mixed signs of mild agonism. Mild agonism was sometimes apparent as individuals approached a doorman, perhaps due to anxiety about being refused entry. Many of the security firm's personnel made their way to Central Nightclub when they finished work at other establishments, and there was a series of greetings and friendly conversations between Richard Lee and arriving off-duty doormen. Richard described his role as 'holding court', where he occupied the centre of attention, managed conversation, received greetings from arriving doormen, dispensing humour, and listened to news 'from the front'. Doormen were able to mobilize anger-threat display at an intensity appropriate to the aggressiveness or persistence of patrons.
