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(:Blog 1:)

We are not responsible for your losses

A story by Seth Godin reminded me of similar situations that I have faced in the past; particularly one in Chile. Over there many supermarkets used to — and probably still do — ask customers to leave bags in a storage area at the entrance. This is the typical ‘all customers are potential thieves’ treatment, which is very common in Chile.

Anyway, I was carrying a backpack with photographic equipment (two cameras, telephoto lenses, flash, the works) and needed to buy a few groceries. I went to this supermarket in Valdivia, when I was stopped by one of the employees requesting that I leave my backpack on storage. I pointed out that there was a big sign saying ‘… and we are not responsible for any losses’. — Please leave your bag in storage.
— But I am carrying very valuable equipment here and you will not take responsibility for any problems — pointing to the sign.
— It is our policy to keep bags.
— I won’t trust you with my bag if you are not trusting me with a few groceries.

Employee calls supervisor, I do not accept leaving my bag and, finally, they agree with letting me in carrying a bag. So, why do people accept being treated as criminals as the normal state of affairs?