Originally Posted by Tightwad
Let's get real here......
We're in the middle of a terrorist war with a new set of rules in play.
Since backpacks , or other bags, are often used to carry bombs every
store in the nation should demand that they be checked at the door to
protect both business and customers. The freedom to walk in a store
with a bag is now gone.
These are the rules of war today.
Quit your whinning and get used to it as the old days are gone forever.
Nope - I'll keep whining. What about enormous baby strollers and women's purses? I've never seen these requested to be given up. A SUV stroller can pack in a lot more TNT than my messenger bag.
I'm not going to give my most important daily items: cell phone, wallet, checkbook, medical supplies, work material, etc. over to someone I don't know.
Everytime a store person asks me to hand over something I simply say: No, I'm more comfortable carrying it with me, thank you. Then I keep walking. Usually they don't follow me, end of issue. If they follow me and ask me to hand it over again I'll politely leave.
The mistake people make in this situation is to pause and start chatting when someone says "SIR, you need to...." Just say "No Thank You" and briskly walk about your business. In most cases with me they don't make the effort or don't care. And I'm not going to get into an argument with a clerk or secuity guard about my rights or their store rights when all I want is some ice cream or a can of soup.
Also I don't pause and return to the store when the Walgreens alarm starts blaring every time I've obviously JUST paid for something. I keep on walking, and have never been followed out of the store.
If you act professional and walk with a purpose people will see you that way. If you hem-haw and meekly argue about a dumb policy, you won't win.