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We just returned from an amazing trip to New Zealand. The landscape is definitely one of the most beautiful I've seen. We spent the last day or two of our trip in Auckland since that's where we flew out of to come back home. While we were souvenir shopping downtown, I noticed that almost every single store we walked into, the shop owners or the employees would watch us almost the entire time. When that happens here, I get really uncomfortable and I end up leaving but it hardly ever happens any way. I think it was pretty obvious that we were tourists probably because of the way we were dressed or whatnot, but I don't think we look like suspicious individuals (there was two of us). I'm just curious if it's just a general mindset for shop owners where tourists are concerned, or if it's just the standard. Does shoplifting happen often? I would definitely understand if that's the case. I just couldn't handle it after a while and would start to dread it every time we went into a shop.
It didn't make me want to stay away from New Zealand, I'm not that easy to scare away. It was just a trend that was too blatantly obvious to ignore.
When all is said and done, I can't wait to go back someday!
Thats not common at all here. You were unlucky. That said, Auckland does have some of the highest rates of shoplifting in the country, so thats the most likely place for this to occur. Pleased you enjoyed your trip.
I've noticed in Australia and NZ, some of the touristy areas and sometimes in cities you can get watched like a hawk in stores, the worst being the Gold Coast where vendors in the mall even had a camera set up to watch the opposite side of their cart. Overall, I don't think it's a problem and most shop keepers are probably more interested to see what they can help you with.
I've noticed in Australia and NZ, some of the touristy areas and sometimes in cities you can get watched like a hawk in stores, the worst being the Gold Coast where vendors in the mall even had a camera set up to watch the opposite side of their cart. Overall, I don't think it's a problem and most shop keepers are probably more interested to see what they can help you with.
I've been in many and hardly noticed it and I probably look more dodgy than the OP
They all have surveillance, so why would they need to watch for security reasons? I agree, its usually more about to see if they can help or make a sale.
I've been in many and hardly noticed it and I probably look more dodgy than the OP
They all have surveillance, so why would they need to watch for security reasons? I agree, its usually more about to see if they can help or make a sale.
I haven't noticed this in the shops I've been to around North Island, NZ, Syd, Mel, ADL, Darwin, etc. etc. and when I'm down under I wear very casual clothing (boardies, thongs, t-shirt).. I've never felt like I was watched like a hawk. Then again, I'm not paranoid (much)
It's much cheaper to buy stuff there when converting to Aussie dollars!
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It was just a trend that was too blatantly obvious to ignore. 
