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Last Saturday we were entering a country through a small airport. Immigration was three positions, those who had stuff to declare or made duty free purchases, and two with nothing to declare. Two planes came in at once, so there was quite a backup at the one baggage claim area, so while we were waiting, we were watching people going through. Over half of the nothing to declare were referred over to have their bags searched. One person was in the declare line, and in the 45 minutes or so we were waiting for the first planes bags to clear and ours put out, we all watched two officers go through this persons suitcase item by item.

They would unfold his shirt, shake it out, and hold it up to the light. Then hand it to him. Take his next item of clothing and one by one by one go through the entire suitcase.

Not a clue what they were looking for.

I'm sure everybody waiting for their bags seeing over half the people leaving getting searched (though most not at the level this poor guy was) were just getting more and more nerve wracked about the questioning. It was your standard questions

Do you have anything to declare?

No

How much cash do you have on you?

Do you have any alcohol?

Two bottles of wine.

I thought you said you did not have anything to declare?

I thought you did not have to declare up to a liter per person.

Where is the wine from?

In the end he just let us go through, but I'm sure part of it was because other than the wine (which we really did not think we had to declare) we had nothing to worry about, and didn't really care if we were pulled aside, and didn't break down to tears begging they not search us or break out the rubber hoses.

But so many people get tripped up in the questioning, as they are trained to do that. They get nervous thinking the officer knows what they are trying to hide or whatever.

And of course, that is part of their game to try to trip you up, and turn you into a stumbling bumbling idiot who admits to something that requires a search or fine.

But I totally agree, they have the ability to take some people right to the level of blithering idiot with a few glances and questions.