They're victims too. They may not have been on the other side of the terrorists's gun, but they have seen their place of work, their guests and their colleagues bear the brunt of the horrific terrorist attack on Mumbai since Wednesday night.
As the rescue operations finally seemed to come to an end, they stood shoulder to shoulder to play their part.
Forming a human chain, in tandem with the Mumbai police, the staff of the Trident (formerly Oberoi) Hotel kept the media and curious onlookers at bay as the rescued hostages walked out of the hotel.
Some were picked up by family and/or friends, others by consulate members. Some used the bus organised by the hotel; others were picked up in private cars.
The entire operation seemed to be directed by Oberoi staffers; they called for the drivers, ensured guests and their baggage were safely accommodated in their choice of transport and driven away.
None of them would talk to the media or even give their name. "All we want is for our guests to be evacuated safely."
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It's been a long, hard, mostly heartbreaking wait for the families of the hostages.
Outside the Trident hotel, relatives mill about, awaiting some kind of information about their loved ones, trapped by terrorists