Originally Posted by copwriter
It occurs to me that basic civility and courtesy is a significant factor here. Some forum members seem to be motivated not to cooperate with questions from FAMs or other security/law enforcement people simply because they don't have to. Consider how that would impact my dealing with other people if I were to adopt that approach in other human interactions. When a waitress brings coffee to my table, I don't have to say "thank you." I don't have to. Moreover, I don't have to leave her a tip. After all, she gets paid for being there, and she has to bring me the coffee whether I tip her or not. Why should I?
I don't know about you, but if the waitress treated me like a criminal for trying to thank her or give her a tip (tip in this case being a lollypop), I wouldn't be too friendly with her either.
Some common sense would have gone a long way here. If applied this whole situation would have been avoided in the first place. If other people want to be terrified of everything, that's their business, but they shouldn't expect everyone else to participate in the carnival.