Sunday 30 November 2008

Legitimate Icing On The Cake!



This was the photo that I was hoping to take the day I went into this shopping precinct, but could not because a security guard told me that I couldn't take a photo in there.
For those readers who might not know what happened last time, press here.

I was idly listening to the news last week and suddenly I heard a bulletin that caught my attention. A grannie, (definitely not me!), who was also visiting this precinct, had tried to take some photos on her digital camera and had also had a problem with the security guard telling her she couldn't take photos there. Only this lady was more feisty than me and held her ground, arguing that it was a public place and that she could take photos for her own use. She had eventually been told to leave and thought that she was about to have her camera confiscated.
She went to the media who contacted the shopping precinct. The person who had full authority there, said that only professional photographers had to ask permission and it was perfectly acceptable for ordinary folk to take photos for their personal use, without being hassled.
Apparently the security guards, were not guards at all but Customer Servicemen. It turned out that they had been over zealous!

Well, being the type of person that I am, I travelled back there and went up to the top floor where one of these men was standing, and took out my camera and snapped the photo that I wanted. He saw me do it and said nothing! I thought that I would leave it at that. I had got the photo that I wanted and a story to go with it.

I feel pleased to think on that first visit, that the man who I thought of as a security guard, thought that I was a professional photographer. Even though I am a grannie and had a tiny camera and no other gear like tripods or long angled lenses. Or maybe I am flattering myself and he just didn't know the rules. Or maybe the company were forced to change the rules so as not to appear foolish.

Anyway, I admire the other grannie who stood up for herself better than I did and if she ever gets to read this......... well, thanks!


24 comments:

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Hi Maggie!
Congratulations for going back there and getting the photos you wanted! great shot by the way!
Now the absolute perfect thing to have done would have been to point your camera at the "security guard" and say "Cheese!!!!" hahaha
I hope you continue to go back there and give those "jobs-worths" some hassle! x

larkswing said...

Hurrah for Maggie! Neat picture - glad you were able to go back and get it!

Cheers!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Well done Maggie! I also read about a retired airline pilot who had really been messed about by an airline company (BMI) who had refused to give him compensation for huge delay and angst with a flight. He eventually took BMI to court and they settled in the end and gave him what he wanted.
I think it is disgraceful that he had to go to such lengths to get compensation.
Nevertheless he has spurred me on to fight for my/our "rights" (rightful rights as it were) and you too, Maggie, have inspired me!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

I take it you don't shop with one of those tartan granny trolleys that immediately make you look like a granny?! Good picture.

cheshire wife said...

Great photo! Well done for being persistent.

Suburbia said...

It's so funny that you 'got your own back'! I'm off there myself tomorrow :)

Salute said...

Nice photo and great determination for going back. I have an award for you.

nanatrish said...

Well, I don't blame you for going back and getting that shot. It's a great shot. I think that's neat that they may have thought you were a professional photographer. I think you take great shots so who knows, maybe someday. Nothing's impossible!

Rose said...

Good for you, Maggie! And good for the other "feisty" grannie--it's time we grannies stand up for our rights! The picture is great; well-worth going back for.

Jeni said...

Just a little ole grannie with a camera huh? I think not! A pretty determined one though -yes, that I'll agree with there. Glad you went back and got the picture you wanted and then, did the post about it too. Pretty darned good work for a "Little ole grannie" my friend!
Peace.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Good for you Maggie - and the picture was certainly worth snapping. Agree with The Brit about taking a photo of the "guard" or perhaps asked a passer-by to take one of you with him. It might have been interesting to see the difference in the smiles on your faces!

A x

Casdok said...

Great shot-i can see why you wanted it!
The security guards are very much on the ball in our shopping centre - but thats cos people take photos of C!

Dr.John said...

What this world needs is more brave grannies. Lovely picture.

Irene said...

Well, good for you and the other granny. It all sounds very American to me, those over zealous customer whatever guys. They just got too big for their britches. They probably thought that if they wore a uniform, they had some sort of authority to go with it. Little did they know. I am glad you straightened all that out and got your picture. In matters of principle, you should always stick to your guns. I am glad you did, Maggie.

VioletSky said...

grannies with cameras - good for you!

Jules~ said...

Hi there Maggie Mae, Good for you for getting back there to take the shot. I can completely imagine how good it felt to snap that picture right in front of the guard. It is a nice picture too.

Wendy said...

Go Granny Go!! Hurray for Granny! And hurray for you!! Your pics turned out well. I'm glad you published this story. Shows to go ya, that if you stand up for yourself - it sometimes pays off!

San said...

A great shot, Maggie. One worth going back for.

Anonymous said...

Go granny go granny go :?)

Sandi McBride said...

Snap away Maggie, snap away!
Great shot...
Sandi

Expat mum said...

Cor - she sounds like a woman who would've chained herself to the railings a few generations back. Fab!

Maggie May said...

Thanks every one for your encouragement to both me and the feisty grannie!
Good to know that some of us are really into photography and justice! LOL

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Oh Maggie...that's a great story and a great coup for you! The pictures are beautiful. Can you tell us now where it is?? I'm glad you were determined and went back!

Cath said...

...And it was well worth getting the shot Maggie! Great shot.