I’ve noticed that the elderly are allowed to loiter no matter where or when. You step into the mall and there’s the same group of people in about their 60′s sitting on a bench, no bags or anything, just sitting for 2 or 3 hours chatting. When I sit down, even by myself with a shopping bag in my hand I’m asked to exit the mall. They even sit on the display patio furniture which isn’t allowed regardless.
One of the reasons I’m asking this is because in my dads store, that I also work in, has a couch around the entertainment section, mainly for looks or for shoppers who are taking a break. Sometimes the elderly people will just come in and think they can chill and watch TV. When I ask them if they need a hand and they say "No dear, we’re just sitting" I’ll say "well I’ll have to ask you to go then, we don’t allow loitering in here" and I always get the same jibber jabber "You should respect your elders, if I want to come into a store and sit down I should be allowed – blah blah blah" to which I simply say "I don’t care if you’re 8 or 88 – no loitering, find a new hangout, thanks".
I mean, I find it pathetic that an 18 year old can’t step into a mall, do some shopping and then sit on the bench for a second (I thought the benches were for shoppers anyway) without getting kicked out, and elderly can come sit down all effing day. What do you think ?
I’m not being ‘rude’ and if they aren’t coming in to shop and just simply chill out and watch TV then it’s called loitering. If they are planning on shopping then fine, yeah they can sit.
Same gos for all people, as I said – I don’t care about age, I see loitering as loitering. My dad agrees with me completely.
And I’ve caught far more elderly attempted to steal then teens. One woman in her 60′s attempted to put a wii in her purse.
To Inked – I get what your saying about offering seats to them or to pregnant women, I agree, and I make sure to do so if I take the bus
I’d rather myself stand than a poor pregnant woman who could end up falling over with the way some of the bus drivers are !
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