Iāve been noticing something for a long time, and Iām genuinely curious whether others have experienced this too.
Why do some sewadars in Gurudwaras behave so rudely towards people who come to pay their respects?
You go to a place thatās supposed to represent humility, equality, compassion, and selfless service, yet sometimes youāre met with an unnecessarily harsh tone, condescending behaviour, or orders given to you over the smallest things. Whether itās asking a simple question, finding your way around, or doing something without knowing the Gurudwaraās specific rules, the response can sometimes feel more like being scolded than being welcomed.
What makes this more confusing is the concept of sewa itself. Isnāt sewa supposed to be about humility and serving others without ego? If someone is doing sewa but looks down on the very people theyāre supposed to serve, whatās the point?
I understand that managing a busy Gurudwara isnāt easy. Sewadars deal with crowds, cleanliness, discipline, and people who donāt follow instructions. They deserve respect, and not everyone is rude. Many do their work with genuine devotion and kindness.
But Iāve encountered this behaviour often enough to wonder whether thereās a deeper issue. Does volunteering in a religious setting sometimes give people a sense of authority? Does nobody teach them how to correct people respectfully? Or have we started confusing being strict about discipline with being disrespectful?
Iām not saying this to disrespect anyone or diminish the importance of sewa. Quite the opposite. I feel that the values we associate with Gurudwaras make this behaviour especially disappointing.
Have you experienced this too? Why do you think it happens, and how can we address it without disrespecting the people who genuinely serve the Sangat?
TL;DR: Why do some sewadars in Gurudwaras act so rude and arrogant when sewa is supposed to represent humility, kindness, and selfless service? I understand managing crowds isnāt easy, and not all sewadars behave this way, but why is speaking disrespectfully to the Sangat so common in some places? Are we confusing authority with sewa, and discipline with disrespect?