Steve, whose name has been changed to preserve anonymity, started working in the nightlife sector at the age of 18, not long after passing his driving test.
As with many teenagers, he desired a car, to which his mother replied: “if you want your own car, you’ll have to work for it.” Steve searched for a part-time job and found a role as a night-time security officer at a local firm. After two years, he decided to leave the team; yet despite working a day job by that point, he did not feel ready to give up his nightlife work.
Using the contacts established in his previous role, Steve started freelancing for bars and nightclubs as a physiognomist - a job which, although popular in other countries, is less common in Luxembourg.
Physiognomists tend to work alongside security personnel or bouncers on the door of a club, checking guestlists and using a person’s external characteristics to decide if they are to be granted entry or not.
Much of the time, the checks focus on the clientele’s clothing and behaviour. If a would-be customer attracts negative attention for their behaviour, Steve recommends they be denied entry.
Initially, Steve worked at his day job from Monday to Friday, then boarded a TGV to Paris, where he would spend Friday and Saturday nights working at large clubs. On Sundays, he would catch the train back home to Luxembourg and start his routine again.
During his time in Paris, Steve experienced all sorts of events, from stabbings on two occasions, and even shootings. The clientele varied from the super wealthy, for whom it is customary to leave tips of around €20,000, to Saudi princes who offered Steve private bodyguard roles with them in Saudi Arabia.
Although working in Paris was exciting and unusual, Steve was forced to take a break seven years ago for health reasons. “Working nights on top of a regular working week was hard. It disrupts the natural rhythm.”
Steve’s break did not last long. Working a second job was simply too financially rewarding. Nowadays, he works in a bar in Luxembourg, despite earning a good wage at his day job.
However, Steve’s mother has health issues and is disabled, so much of his income is dedicated to supporting her and paying for any medication and treatment not reimbursed by benefits or health insurance.
Steve also continues to live with his mother in order to support her on a daily basis. Despite this, he still dreams of owning his own home one day, which in the current climate seems more and more difficult. This dream in part fuels Steve’s resolve to continue working weekends in a nightlife setting.
“I only really have spare time on Sundays, so I have to use any time off sensibly. It’s a choice that has to be made. Instead of frittering away 200 euros every weekend on going out, I get paid to work where everyone else goes to have fun. I know it’s hard, but I’m not ready to give up on the dream of owning my own home.”
He says he can’t complain about the wages he earns with his extra work. “I don’t take cash under the table, I pay 33% tax as normal. But it’s still a good wage.”
Although Steve’s role as a physiognomist is less eventful in Luxembourg compared to his time in Paris, he has noticed a decline in customers’ behaviour over the years. “People have fewer inhibitions now. They judge each other immediately, or act disrespectfully.”
He has also noticed changes in alcohol consumption. “People are frequently already drunk when they turn up at our establishment. Especially on Fridays, we see a lot of people who have come straight from after-work drinks and try to get into our bar.”
Giving up his second job is out of the question, Steve says, as he enjoys it too much. “I like human contact, especially with women. I make no secret of that,” he says, with a smile.
*Name changed to preserve anonymity at work.
