Insanity: Security Devices and their Purpose:

In my job, we frequently have to use security devices due to how frequently something is stolen, or how much money we would lose even if it wasn't something stolen regularly if unsecured.  This happens in all aspects of retail business to some degree, and most other businesses as well.  This includes apartment buildings and their management.  In the previous complex I lived in, most of the main doors were frequently propped open because the tenants did not want to have to pay for their children to have a copy of the key because they might lose it, but didn't care to be present when allowing their offspring to play on the property or elsewhere, necessitating another means of entry.  This same means was also used by others for less than legal activities, which led to a high turnover of some tenants, and one of the many reasons we moved.  Pennies being stuck in the door latch or pebbles or the entry rug being used to keep the door from shutting were also common.  That has happened here one time that I have seen when someone wasn't in the process of moving in, but only once, unlike every single day at the other complex.  And yet those same people would complain to management about people who didn't live there coming in and out of the building, especially at late hours of the day.  Not only is that hypocrisy, it is insanity, as they are expecting something to change without making an attempt themselves to fix the problem.

Another example of security devices is the simple antivirus or firewall programs people use, most of which have more holes than Swiss Cheese or a colander, but their purpose is to protect a computer or other device and to keep it secure.  Turning it off because it slows down your downloads, rather than configuring it to allow your questionable download patrons and scan it later, is also insanity which I've seen all too much.  People complaining that the illegal game they download got them a virus despite having antivirus software...  It is insipid and insane that they persist doing the same once their computer is fixed, but most don't care to learn to stop that problem from reoccurring.  Again, they are expecting a fix without changing anything themselves.

The same happens at my job.  People frequently try to pull secured items off and get upset that they can't, even after we tell them that the items are secured and to get one of us when they have picked out what they want.  After explaining why the products are secured, they seem calmer, understanding it is to keep prices down for us and them.  And then they get confused as to why they can't just take the item that was previously secured to another register themselves.  My temples throb.  Maybe, just maybe, it's because it was secured for the reason we told you so people wouldn't take it themselves to a random spot to open and steal it?  Getting upset over not being allowed to walk it themselves and needing to ring it up in our department when we don't have the staff to walk it up when other customers are waiting?  Too bad.  The insanity of absolutely needing to have just one transaction rather than two immediately makes one wonder if either they don't have enough money and hope they can bounce a check or card (and that doesn't work in my job people), steal it, fraudulently use someone else's card or check, or know that they'll go over the amount in their account with another purchase that they can bounce later in the day due to its processing time, and are hoping ours will not actually process until the end of the day when they may or may not have the funds for it to not bounce.  Trying to purchase or take something that necessitates payment to legally obtain is fine.  Intentionally trying to break a security device, retail or otherwise, or trying to somehow run a fraud...  These things should be seen as insane and worth banning someone from the premises, or serving someone their eviction notice.  Many places do.  Most do not.  That is insanity.