Re Jennifer's excellent point about explaining the reason for the
restrictions, I had the same reaction to a similar dictum at a museum that I
was in recently. I was told privately that the reason for the blanket "no
camera/no pictures" request was because of accidental flashes. Since I have
accidentally set off the flash many times with my digital camera (which has
a mind of its own), I perfectly understood and accepted that, despite my
disappointment at not being able to photograph the exhibition.
   Somewhere (on this list?) I also read of a museum that has a copper plate
on the wall, with a handprint clearly visible on it. The plate dramatically
demonstrates why touching things with the bare hand can damage the items in
the collection. I intend to incorporate that idea in our tiny museum, as I
think the visitors would then be more sympathetic to my "Please do not
touch" signs.
   Jennifer, you are absolutely correct about your observation -- and, in
fact, it applies to a great many more instances of interactions between
people. It would help if we explained why we do what we do -- if we KNEW why
we do what we do.
Lynne

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