Why Security Guards and Donuts Are Linked in Pop Culture
The link between security guards, police officers, and donuts is a cultural stereotype that has become common in movies, television, and jokes.
In South Africa, this association is mostly seen through the lens of American pop culture, but it raises interesting questions about food, shift work, and how people perceive uniformed professions.
The Origin of the Donut Stereotype
In the United States, donut shops were among the few establishments open late at night during the 1950s to 1980s.
Police officers working overnight shifts would often stop at these locations for coffee and a quick bite.
These stops were practical: they provided light, warmth, sugar, and caffeine at hours when most other businesses were closed.
As this habit became more common, it was picked up by comedians, screenwriters, and filmmakers.
Soon, the image of a police officer or security guard holding a coffee cup in one hand and a donut in the other became a visual shorthand for night-shift workers.
Although it originated in the U.S., this stereotype has spread globally through entertainment.
South Africans who watch American shows and movies may have seen this trope repeated in series like The Simpsons, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or older police comedies.
Night Shifts and Food Choices in South Africa
In South Africa, many security guards also work night shifts, sometimes in remote or quiet areas.
Unlike in the U.S., 24-hour donut shops are rare. Instead, guards may rely on homemade meals, tuck shops, or petrol station convenience stores for food.
Popular late-night snacks include meat pies, vetkoek, instant noodles, or energy drinks.
However, the need for food that is quick, affordable, and high in energy remains the same.
Guards on long shifts often need something that can be eaten quickly while staying alert.
That’s where the link to donuts makes some indirect sense: they are high in sugar and require no preparation.
If donut shops were more common in South Africa, the stereotype might have developed locally too.
The Role of Donuts in Global Pop Culture
The image of a donut as a “security snack” persists because of how powerful visuals are in pop culture.
Donuts are colourful, round, and instantly recognisable. When used in film or TV, they add humour, soften the image of authority figures, and make characters seem more human.
In shows like The Simpsons, police characters are portrayed as lazy and always eating donuts.
In real life, this stereotype has little basis, but it is entertaining and easy to replicate. This type of humour travels across borders, making it familiar even in countries where the original context doesn’t apply.
What Do Security Guards Actually Eat?
Anecdotal responses from South African security guards suggest a wide range of meals: leftover pap and meat from home, sandwiches, fruit, chips, and fizzy drinks.
Some prefer not to eat at all during a shift to avoid fatigue, while others look for high-calorie snacks to maintain energy levels through the night.
Fast food outlets at 24-hour garages and roadside vendors are also popular options.
While donuts may not be the go-to snack, the idea of finding a quick sugar rush on the job is common.
Why the Stereotype Persists
The donut stereotype has become a form of cultural shorthand.
It’s easier to show a character with a donut than explain their entire work shift. It also lightens the portrayal of authority figures, making them more approachable or comical.
In South Africa, while the donut-and-guard pairing may not be based on daily life, the idea still resonates with those familiar with American media.
It has become part of global humour.
Donuts, Security, and Cultural Curiosity
Even if the stereotype isn’t rooted in local experience, it serves as a point of connection between South African viewers and global pop culture.
It opens up a discussion about how food, work, and media influence each other.
Related Reading: Want to learn more about how donuts became a part of pop culture? Read our partner article on DonutInfo.com titled Do Security Guards Still Love Donuts? Exploring a Long-Standing Myth.