What is it about me that makes plain clothed security follow me at Target?

[Anonymous]

I’m not doing anything suspicious, just shopping. The only suspicious thing I can think of that I did today was to reach into my tiny crossbody Lululemon-type bag to grab my phone a couple times because work would not leave me alone. I also researched reviews on a specific item. Each of these times I did grab my phone and replace it. I also wandered the aisles a bit while shopping because I’m killing time before an appointment, but is that strange at a store? I’m an unassuming white woman.

I had to pick up a card and while I was there, a man came up to me who was clearly not browsing cards, I watched him and he watched me. I almost said something. Why would he have been following me? He followed me all the way to the register and then went into the little front office area. They are so obvious.

[Anonymous]

First, you're assuming security has good intentions, which isn't always true.

[Anonymous]

Are you a person of color? The racial profiling can be pretty outrageous.
Signed, a white woman who has seen it, and also heard about it from friends.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he wanted to ask you out.

I don't notice security. They are free to follow me around if they're bored. I have nothing to hide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a person of color? The racial profiling can be pretty outrageous.
Signed, a white woman who has seen it, and also heard about it from friends.

OP answered your question.

[Anonymous]

Was it the Cleveland Park target? That used to happen to me there allllllll the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, you're assuming security has good intentions, which isn't always true.

Where did you get the impression I assume that? Clearly in my last sentences you can sense my disdain, yes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he wanted to ask you out.

I don't notice security. They are free to follow me around if they're bored. I have nothing to hide.

This is a good point. I’ll take some pleasure in the fact that he suck’s at his job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he wanted to ask you out.

I don't notice security. They are free to follow me around if they're bored. I have nothing to hide.

This is a good point. I’ll take some pleasure in the fact that he suck’s at his job.

I don’t know why it added that apostrophe, but grammar police, don’t you come at me, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was it the Cleveland Park target? That used to happen to me there allllllll the time.

It wasn’t. What is your theory on why they do this?

[Anonymous]

I go clearance shopping at Target and have to take out my phone a lot to check dpci's. I've had people following me and tried ignoring it but after a while it gets annoying so I turn around and ask them why they are following me. They stop after that. At Walgreens when I was buying a cart load of crap because it was on clearance I had a loss prevention very obviously follow me. I told him straight up that I am not trying to steal anything and that I clearance shop and use coupons. He left me after that and actually looked embarassed.

[Anonymous]

For any store that carries perishables, where I don't need an item ASAP, I load up my cart with expensive meats. Ask the security why they've decided to follow me an pass them the cart and leave.

[Anonymous]

It may not be security. Could be a pickpocket/purse thief.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me several times, less so as I age but I am a minority. Last time at whole foods the guy was really making me uncomfortable so I took out my phone to take a video and he must have sensed my intentions though I intended to be discreet (as if I was just holding my phone). He was gone in an instant!

[Anonymous]

Weird. You sound similar to me and I’ve never been followed around by security people I the best of my knowledge. Not sure if I would even notice though.

Probably the frequent reaching into your bag? I do that constantly also (often grabbing my phone to look up reviews on a product, or check price or if something might be in stock at a different store etc)