Most people under the age of 40 who socialise in cities or big towns have a story to tell of being refused entry to a pub or nightclub for no reason except that a bouncer does not like the look of them.
For such people, bouncers are about as popular as tax collectors were in the days of Our Lord. But a Galway company is trying to alter that image by training those people who guard doors.
PR Security Agency recently set up the first organisation of its kind in Ireland, says founder Pat O'Hanlon, and so far has trained more than 40 male and female door staff in the finer points of dealing with the public and preventing trouble.
Mr O'Hanlon, who is head of security in Galway's Alley Nightclub, is a former Army sergeant who has worked on doors for 24 years.
He established the agency with retired Garda sergeant Jim Naughton and doorwoman Michelle Conboy because of what he saw as the declining standards among Galway door staff.
"Eight years ago there were nine or 10 venues in Galway which required doormen. Now there are 36. On Saturday nights up to 120 people are working on doors of pubs, clubs and fast-food restaurants. And because there's such a demand for security staff, standards have fallen."
Finding good door staff and training them is crucial if the job is to lose its negative image, he says. That's where his company can help.
The PR agency offers six training sessions covering all aspects of door security. Mr Naughton deals with the legal aspects while Galway fire officer, Billy Conroy, gives advice on first aid as well as on fire prevention/evacuation. Jarlath Burke from the Garda Drugs Unit specialises in drug awareness, while public relations is handled by local publicist, Alison Herbert.
But while some premises in Galway have availed of the agency's services, which cost £100 a person, many have not.
However, Pat points out that legislation is currently being prepared on all aspects of licensing laws. Eventually this will mean that all door staff will have to be tested for suitability.