What do you do when plain clothes security guards harass you in a department sto

1. 70

   Silver Poetposted 14 years ago

   What do you do when plain clothes security guards harass you in a department store?
   
   I feel safe knowing that they are doing their job, but have you ever had one follow you when you would NEVER shoplift, and have you had them stare at you when you were looking at items such as music, software, or health related items?  What did you do and how did you feel?

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2. 74

   someonewhoknowsposted 14 years ago

   I see your point.It,doesen't make shoppers feel welcome when that happens to them.Perhaps,they need to be better trained in their job.He might be trying to diswade any suspected shoplifters by his attitude,however inappropriate that is.Could be he really doesn't want to have to confront a shoplifter and would rather scare them off.Unfortunately ,he may also be  scaring the true customers away from shopping there too.

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3. 62

   PeytonFarquharposted 14 years ago

   Rent a cops are not real law enforcement officers.  They have no authority to interrogate or search you for any reason.   They have authority to detain you provided that there is reasonable suspicion that you may have taken an item, but that's about the extent of their so called authority.  If being stared at bothers you so much, all you had to do was walk up and ask the rent a cop why.

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4. 70

   Silver Poetposted 14 years ago

   Instead of asking why they are staring at me, I try something like, "Excuse me, where's the soap?"  Works every time.  They split.  What I really wanted was to find out what others have experienced and to compare experiences.

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5. 73

   muslima61posted 14 years ago

   walk out !!!
   
   i dont tolerate harassment of any kind... if they dont want my custom i will take it elsewhere
   
   i once had one follow me round a store..... what ! has the age of browsing ended....? well im sorry if im not sure i like something im not going to purchase it  and anyway i like to browse sometimes without buying ..... its a girlie thing......

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6. 52

   BABYGIRL0829posted 14 years ago

   I turn around and ask the guard why was he following me. I left the store and than return later. I know this is going to  sound carzy But I begain following the guard around, the cops was called and they begain questioning me. I told them I just wanted the guard to understand how it feels to be followed like a criminal. The cops was so kind and understanding. I left and I never return.

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7. 60

   SpanStarposted 13 years ago

   I don't really have a good answer for this behavior but I know it well.  As long as society views a certain class people this way or that way then this practice will go on.  I believe today we call it Profiling.

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8. 50

   almigthychaiposted 13 years ago

   you do what you would normally do and ignore them. they are there for the purpose of prevention of shopilifting. try to rationalize it be thinking that something you did or your behaviour somehow matched that of a previous shoplifter. you are there on your own business and if you did nothing wrong then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. just do what you do. and if it really annoys you that much, then just leave to make things even more suspicious.
   
   maybe the guard was interested in you and found you attractive.
   
   and if the guard lays a finger on you or stops you by use of physical contact, then you scream 'stop groping me!'
   
   there are many ways to turn the situation around.
   i hope this incoherent response has found a way to make sense to you.
   
   adieu

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9. 67

   ptosisposted 13 years ago

   Silver Poet  & BABYGIRL0829  - your answers are so funny! That's great what you did. Following the followers or asking where the soap is. Beautiful!
   
   #1The untrained guard is not supposed to be noticed.
   #2 He should've help you find the soap. What's the matter with this guy - I can see it now. Him - his girlfriend ....  she says that she wants to have his children - and he leave skid marks on the way out the door.
   
   #3 Sometimes talking to them as a human being - maybe reciprocate - if not? Then he's a jerk.

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10. 0

    Longhunterposted 13 years ago

    If someone was following me in a store, I would move to another part of the store to see if they follow. If they did, I would confront them and ask for an ID. They'd better produce one or I would call for the manager to verify they were an employee.

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