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Sometimes it gets so frustrating that I have to turn to the person following me and tell them "I'm not stealing, okay?!"
On a couple of occasions, the staff was surprised that I didn't make the security system beep on the way out and they just search me anyway because I must have stolen something!
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VERY INTIMIDATING.
Actually, I think it's the responsibility of honest, educated people to stand up for persecuted ignorant ones whenever possible or at least convenient...
(I read somewhere that Ghandi would ride cross-country trains that were generally ridden by the poor and persecuted people (in India)- and was somewhat inspired by the idea of a person who is able to defend themselves doing things that are way below their means, just looking to be treated badly unjustly, in order to take the bad guys to task- because the poor and ignorant are in no position to defend themselves against this everyday persecution)
SO- I'd like to think that when they are searching you without cause, you'd let them know that you are going to call a lawyer, the police, the NAACP (tell them your uncle is black, people get scared in a different way if they think you have a racism card to play too sometimes), the ACLU, etc... and maybe you'd even follow up and call someone who could help make sure the injustice of an illegal search isn't repeated on other people by these power- hungry drugstore operators... BUT I suspect the reality is- it's easier to just get the heck out of there and never look back.
I'm in my 30's now, I haven't gotten the makeup aisle shoplift stare for a while- but in my 20's I always did. I am indecisive, I like to compare, I like to find the best value for what I want. So I'll pick up the brown eyeshadows from every brand, look at prices, ingredients, net wieghts of all of them, if brown eyeshadow is what I want- compare, and take my time. The makeup aisle is ALWAYS watched, it's not just watched when a teenager walks in; I imagine even grannies get a look, but it's easier for a person to think they can intimidate teenagers, and it's easier to suspect them also, I think- but I don't know why, really.
To retaliate, sometimes I'd play little games- I'd take a few items, walk over one aisle, "look" at things I had no interest in for 30 seconds, go back to the makeup aisle, and repeat... just to watch the salesperson follow me. They act like they're stocking, and avoid confrontation, they want to stay in control somehow and feel powerful, but without any risk... But mostly it's awkward, and I'm glad to be done and out of there. I ALWAYS keep all the pieces I'm holding or considering very much in the open, and either put back things I won't buy exactly where they belong, or if I don't put them back properly, I'm sure to leave them out in the wide open so it's obvious where I left the un-purchased items. Sometimes I even give them to the cashier and explain that I've decided not to purchase these ones... I'm always super-polite with the salespeople who stalk me, and sometimes will approach them for help finding something- to break the ice, mostly, even though it means I've interrupted any stocking they're actually doing...
I believe, from what I remember when I worked in retail as a teenager, that the clerk is not allowed to ask you to empty your pockets unless you are actually seen putting something in them- and I'd think if they were that sure, they'd call a manager who might ask you to wait there while a police officer is called to assist with the search, and meanwhile someone would rewind the security tape to check for verification/ evidence...
You could just get ballsy enough to demand that no person- no manager or clerk- search you until a local police officer is present; insist that you do not trust the shopkeeper, and for all you know they intend to rip YOU off- again, I know it's really easiest to get the heck out of there and never go back.
Wow, I didn't realize the shoplifting topic was so personal for me!
I understand the need for a small business owner to limit losses- but I've been under unjust suspicion too, and it sucks- it feels demeaning and a little threatening.
Besides, I think much of the stealing that happens comes from the employees themselves...