I can't wear my backpack in the grocery store?

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Went to the grocery store today (major chain) on my way home from work (I walk to work) to get some flowers, and I walked in and started looking at the flowers (which are right next to the entrance), and I hear someone say something behind me, and it's a security guard. He says, "Your backpack." I say, "Huh?" He says, "Your backpack." I say, "What?" He says "Please check your backpack at the desk."

I get annoyed. I think, he's just some security guard, it's not like he's police or the TSA or anything, and it's not like it's a convention art show. I say, "No. I'm not going to do that." I turn around, ignore him, and look at the flowers again. The security guard apparently walks away. I pick what I want and start walking toward the checkout, and pass another guy visibly annoyed saying "I wear it in here every single day" who then hands his bag to the guy at the desk saying "he said I'm supposed to give this to you."

Anyway, it's pretty insulting to me to be asked to check my bag in a grocery store. What am I, some suspicious-looking teenager? Do people have to check purses too? Briefcases? Huh? There is no way I'm going to check my backpack in a grocery store. Not gonna happen.

[The Lost One]

Well Ookla, check to make sure that someone that looks like one didn't show up on America's Most Wanted or some suspected terrorist list. I'm sure there is a dangerous grocery store criminal that draws his fersome powers from his backpack. Thus the grocery store was only protected itself by separating you from the evil powers of your backpack.

It could be that they don't suspect you at all, just your backpack. Has your backpack done anything suspecious lately? Have you seen your backpack on America's Most Wanted?

[fuzzyoctopus]

I was often asked to do that in stores in the Orem mall, but never in a *grocery* store.  I bet they wouldn't have asked you to check a briefcase, but they probably just single out backpacks.

[Skar]

I find the most telling detail to be that he walked away when you refused.  He was probably just one of those power trip security guards because if he actually had a mandate from the store owner to keep people from wearing backpacks in the store he wouldn't have dropped it.

I hate guys like that.  I also hate security guards that think it's ok for them to grant exceptions to the rules.  Because next time you go to that place and break that rule, the guard on duty won't, and a scene will be caused.

[Chimera]

Maybe instead of terrorism it was related  to shoplifting. Perhaps the store had been having more problems with shoplifting and had told the guards to check backpacks. But he didn't enforce it, so it could've just been a power trip.

I don't know what you look like in real life. Do you think you have more of a suspicious terrorist look or a teenage delinquent look or an easily pushed around by a security cop look?  

[Spriggan]

It's shoplifting related, and quite common too.  May stores have polices not to allow bags, backpacks or even purses of certain sizes right after numerous thefts or during times like Black Friday.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Oh, I assumed shoplifting right away. When the terrorism thought crossed my mind sometime later, I dismissed it as highly unlikely.

[42]

Well, you know that Alberstons has been on most terrorists hit list since they stopped keeping hagus regularly in stock.  

[Miyabi]

>.>

You know I can see that is places like game stores, or places with really valuable small things.

Either way, most generally it is stupid.