Would you be suspicious of someone wearing an ankle monitor?

Uh yeah!
I would think is this guy supposed to be here?
But then again anyone wearing a such a device wouldn’t be a dangerous criminal.

I don’t think I would behave differently towards them. I would wonder why they had it (what did they do?) but I think I would be as polite as before. This is assuming it was in public and our interactions were just superficial.

Nope, none of my business.
Congrats on the weights, think I’ll use mine today since you reminded me!!

I would definitely be suspicious of someone with an ankle monitor on. But I can tell the difference between that and ankle weights.

Having lived my life on both sides of the law, I see things that are the equivalent of an ankle monitor all the time.

An inexperienced eye, just doesn’t see it.

There are many involuntary things I notice. What do a person’s eyes tell me.
What do a person’s hands tell me(rough/scared/smooth)? There shoes (type/condition)? The way they carry themselves? Are they right handed, or left? Are they comfortable in whatever scenario we are in? Do they have a limp? Missing teeth? Etc….. But those are things that can’t be hidden.

Many many things can tell me a lot.

But. I pay more attention to voluntary things. Like ink, and jewelry. That is to say, what does a person want to project. That tells me more about them.

Jewelry is usually a status thing. Personally. I don’t typically like people who wear lots of jewelry.

But. Ink. That can be a BIG deal. There are a lot if people walking around with far worse implicating factors than an ankle monitor. And it’s hidden in plain sight.

An ankle monitor means that you are a person of interest to law enforcement. You’re not likely a violent offender. And. You’re probably aware that you’re on thin ice. So. You best be on your best behavior, at all times.
An ankle monitor isn’t a scarlet letter. It isn’t intended to warn society of your presence. And it shouldn’t.

Ink. A spider web. Clock with no hands. Amongst others, indicate that someone served hard time. ALL time, is hard.
Ink on hands, or above the shoulders, is indicative that a person makes company with a certain crowd.
“Stripes.” Or marks of achievement on hands, or face, can mean a person is, or at least was involved in gang activities (in developed places.)

Other tattoos have more specific, equally distinct meanings. Especially in concert with other tats, or following a theme.

Sometimes. The “style” of ink can tell me not only what a person has been up to, but even which artist in a certain area has done the work. How do I feel about that artist, and their affiliations?

Was the piece done with a paper clip, and typewriter ink?

What are the tattoos meant to say, and to who?

Are there hidden symbols, or meanings, in the work? Numbers, and letters have specific meanings as well.

Would I be “suspicions” of someone with any of these noticeable things? Not necessarily. But. I look at them as the type of animal they appear to be.

I have a lot of ink. To a person educated in my culture, they should judge me similarly.

Ink is like a language. If you don’t speak it. You could be at a disadvantage.

In my book. Everyone is suspicious, to a degree. Everyone is capable of being a threat. I don’t treat people differently, typically. Externally, I don’t show my hand. But, inside I’ve always got my head on a swivel.

Ankle weights would give me information about someone too.
Information is power.
I’m always collecting data…

I wore ankle weights in high school training for the track team. I can tell the difference, but maybe not all people are able to.
But yes, I would be wondering why they were wearing an ankle monitor.

Although I’d definitely wonder what you had done & also wonder when the cops were going to be coming through the doors to arrest you, I don’t think that I’d act much different especially when in the situation you described. My job is to worry about serving you & I would do my job with a smile & a twinkle in my eye. Most likely I’d warn the manager what I thought I saw just in case something strange does go down. Still, until I knew the actual situation, I’d give you the benefit of the doubt. To my knowledge, most people released with just an ankle monitor are not considered high risks when it comes to being in personal danger.

Maybe he just had a pain in the ass customer who pulled his chain & had lost his good mood & you thought he was upset with you.

If I did behave differently, it would be to make sure that I made eye contact and smiled at the individual. I don’t believe we should be viewed as the worst things we’ve ever done. I would be aware that many people, even unknowingly, would treat this person differently (or indifferently), and would try to counter that. I’m not a very chatty person, but I would try to make them feel comfortable and valued in small ways.

@LuckyGuy I think your experience was interesting and I’m glad you’re reflecting on it. I don’t think you would treat anyone differently, but many people would.

Nope. Funny story. I wear my Fitbit on my ankle under my sock so I can track treadmill and bike rides effectively. I also wear an Apple watch.
I have had many people look at my sock and wonder. Even a few friends joked asking if I was in court recently. lol

@Cupcake I love that about you.

@MrGrimm888 Tats are definately secret code. The WS all have them here. They call them specific names like ‘n-word dots’, etc…
Not going to lie, I notice thing’s but generally play dumb, as people do change.

Do any of you think I should casually mention it to the guy the next time I’m at the restaurant?

^^^ I think he would get a giggle out of it if you showed him they are ankle weights and not an actual monitor.

Nope. No reason to.

I think I would be aware. I sincerely hope that I would not treat them any differently, whether as a person working in a retail establishment or just as another customer in the place. I remember watching Shawshank Redemption years ago, and while I’m not looking for ex-convicts to make friends with, it really opened my eyes to what some of these people go through when they get out of jail. The stereotypes, the fact that they struggle to overcome having been institutionalized so much of their life, to the point that the one guy in the movie committed suicide. Even Morgan Freeman’s character couldn’t break out of habits like asking for permission to go to the bathroom on his job. It makes me really sad because I do think there are probably lots of people who get out of prison and are trying to live a better life and they have to deal with how people see them and all the other baggage they are now carrying around.

@LuckyGuy I think you could have an enjoyable, light-hearted chat about it and have a laugh.

Next time go in shorts, especially for him.
He’ll see two ‘monitors’.
You can then say that you have two because of double homicide.

@LuckyGuy . You’re a tinkerer. You could make something that looks like one, and just see how people react…

I’d be curious rather than suspicious and I’d be tempted to ask why but I wouldn’t. The situation, whatever it is, is in hand and it is none of my business.

@LuckyGuy I would probably explain in a joking manner, and it might make the guy laugh. I’d say “oh, by the way, this isn’t an ankle monitor, I’m wearing weights. You should try it!” Then you could show him the weights and you both might have a laugh. That’s just me. Some would say you owe him no explanation, which you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt to strike up a conversation with someone.

I’d be curious but not scared. Also, An ankle weight looks nothing like an ankle monitor.
(Seriously, what is everyone so scared of nowadays? Shooting people at the door. Pulling weapons on children. It’s the guns AND the people.)

@LuckyGuy Definitely NOT!!! He most likely forgot about it once you walked out the front door. Bringing it up might convince him that you really do have a problem or why would you feel the need to defend yourself. Just let it go!!! Maybe take a break from the ankle weights when eating there for a while & wear them somewhere else to make up the time.

I did a 4.5 mile walk/run to the restaurant this morning wearing weights, of course.
When I got there I sat at the booth and started stripping off all the weights, including the ankle weights, before I ordered.
The owner and I talked about exercise, etc. She thought the misunderstanding was hilarious and will let the guy know.
Whew! It’s all good!