If you're on the property of a privately owned business, are you "in public?"

[Orrex]

[WonderGrunion]

1. Other, depends on the business.

Wal-mart's sales floor. Absolutely "in public". Service room of the Moonlight Bunny Ranch? I certainly hope not.

[petronius]

6. Yep - it would depend (IMO) on whether there is a reasonable expectation of

privacy. A hotel is a private business, but I doubt anyone believes they're in public when they go to their hotel room...

[MineralMan]

2. If that business is open to the public, then yes.

If not, then maybe not, depending on other circumstances.

[Greyhound]

3. Legally or practically? n/t

[blondeatlast]

8. My question as well. nt

[dchill]

4. New Rules: We are ALL ...

ALWAYS in public.

[JVS]

5. I think it depends on what kind of property it is.

[pnwmom]

7. No, if you're naked in a doctor's office. There is an expectation of privacy.

Yes, if you're walking around in a mall, which is the new town square.

So I would say it depends on the context.

[Pithlet]

9. Yes, but I expect a bubble of absolute silence to envelope me wherever I go

Anything less is absolutely inconsiderate and rude. Self absorbed entitled assholes who only think of them selves really piss me off. As I said, my silence is important to me. Me! I can't stand noise. Why can't others think of me? Myself. I? Silence, while I'm in public? The peace and quiet that should surround me, myself and I? Selfish people suck.

ETA if this wasn't what I thought it was about, never mind. :silly:

[LWolf]

10. Is the privately owned business expecting to do business with the public? nt

[Orrex]

15. Sure--why not?

But so what?

[LWolf]

16. The Federal Civil Rights Act. nt

[mdmc]

11. Nope - more or less

although I think that if the business is open to the public, for the public to access, it would be nice to see that space defined as "public"..

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

12. Privacy is a fuzzy construct.

It only exists by convention, not as a rigorously definable legal thing grounded in the laws of the universe. Hence the problem.

[dysfunctional press]

13. if you're on the property of a privately-owned business...

generally- they can make you follow their rules, or force you to leave, or have you arrested if you refuse. this includes not allowing photography/video recording.

[rollin74]

14. no

you would be on private property