w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

Today's lyric:

"Flavours of the mountain streamline
Midnight blue casino floors
Dance the cha-cha through till sunrise
Open up exclusive doors. Oh wow!."

Roxy Music: "Virginia Plain"
From the album: "The Ultimate Collection"

I have it on very good authority (Mrs.D. - so it must be true) that retailers in general view their customers as being in their shops at their 'request'.

This means that, once inside, they are able to enforce unpublished rules on said customers.

One being - and hence the source of this mini-rant - that you may not take photographs of the interiors without prior permission.

In fact, if you are 'caught' doing so, you can be asked to delete the shots (remove the wet film, despite what may else be on the roll?) and if you refuse, can be escorted from the premises and possibly banned. For life.

For taking photographs? And without being fore-warned that it is an offence?

Now, you regular readers (yes, all three) and the droves of Unknown and Blocked Referrers (why do you do that?) - could you please, on your divers travels, ask shop assistants if you need to get their Manager's permission before snapping their shelves?

Cos I'd just like to know if this is an isolated incident of commercial paranoia.