Originally Posted by exbayern

But that means that there will be many people selected who truly have nothing to hide.

I fear that I am one of those.

It is considered rude and intrusive in many cultures to make small talk and ask questions of a personal nature. I can grit my teeth and bear it when I am in the US or other countries where such 'small talk' is considered polite, and generally can give out noncommittal responses to strangers who ask such questions.

But for years I never understood why I became so nervous at any checkpoint, be it a border crossing, or simply a ferry ticket purchase booth or a toll booth.

In recent years I have started to come to terms with the collective history that I share with millions of others and now I understand that my fear and nevousness comes from my experiences as a small child crossing 'internal' borders. (The memorial museum at Marienborn is still something I can only take in small doses)

I tend to turn off a switch internally in these types of situations. Now I have to face speaking to someone in another language (often with a very strong regional accent), answering questions which make me uncomfortable in a setting not involving a position of authority, about subjects which are often confidential.

I fear that my response both verbal and physical will make me a target, unintended or not. And I am not alone.