It's not a matter of being a dick and not being a dick, eventually you get to realize that people just want whatever they can get away with, so you adopt a cool demeanor not unlike being aloof. It has nothing with being a dick. If a guard shows favouritism to one person, it opens the floodgates.
It's pretty easy if you're a concertgoer. Look at the guard, look at the amount of people in the room, and think how many shows this guard sees every year. Then go "Wow. I'm really not special."
Being a dick is what I used to do during Ozzfest when my boss would stick me in the lawn in the rain with a radio, a mag lite, and a nightstick.
Speak softly and carry a big stick (and know how to use it).
in closing, unless you've done security, you have no idea the bullshit they go through, and I for one adore the 9:30 b/c they don't put up with juvenile bullshit. Of course, I also don't try to sneak backstage, I don't try to hump anything that I didn't bring with me :p and I'm actually *gasp* respectful and don't get totally wasted.. unless someone is driving home.
but for the record I've been hung over 4 times in my adult life and 2 of them are from 9:30 Club shows. :cool: