Whether it’s never sitting with your back to a door at a restaurant or constantly scanning a room for potential threats, being a CO doesn’t leave you just because you’re off duty. We recently asked our readers on Facebook what habits follow them when they’re off duty that might look a bit strange to others. Here are some of the more humorous responses.
Don’t see a habit you have? Add yours in the comments.
Andy Reade Resisting the urge to tell someone to pull their pants up in public.
Kathryn Gurley Oakley My CO hubby was fussing at and lecturing our 5-year-old one night and out of the blue told her to do something and that it was a ‘direct order’....of course he blushed and face palmed afterwards!
Shelody VanDuyn Asking my kids if they had fun at rec ... instead of recess. And judging other occupations for not wearing gloves and using universal precautions.
Corina Corina When I give my son medicine. Sometimes I make him open his mouth and stick out and lift his tongue. He gives me this strange look and then I realize im at home.
Travis Wheat Hearing “assistance needed” in hardware stores, walmart etc and have to stop myself from running. Haha!
Dwayne Cox Cell searches for contraband in the kids rooms. If only I could bring the restraint chair home!
Chris Wooten Ten codes; my wife will ask, ‘did you take out the trash?’ I either say 10-4 or 10-9, and if I’m busy I’m 10-6 but it’s OK she is 96.
Clyde Klumpp Saying “clear” when walking through automatic doorways.
M Angel Ruiz Pat-searching the kids before they go to school.
Tom Bosley I developed the phrase “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your choice.” I, in turn, used it on my kids.
Sounds like it’s tough to be the kid of a CO!