When hotels try to make security checks ubiquitous, it does not matter if you own a Miu Miu or a Mango clutch

Most hotels and, in general, public institutions have since last year’s terror attacks reviewed and subsequently increased their security measures in a bid to inspire the same confidence that customers had prior to the attacks. The procedure to get into any hotel now involves walking through a metal detector, being frisked, and either a physical or X-ray search through one’s baggage.

It is interesting that hotels have roughly managed to do the above without greatly inconveniencing customers. Further, hotels are pleased that customer attitudes have been more respectful - most used to have some security checks earlier, just not as stringent.

Kaushik Patil, Director of Security at the Four Seasons in Worli, says, “Before the 26/11 attacks last year, people would stubbornly ask why we had security checks. Now, they are more co-operative and understand that it is a proactive step taken by the hotel to ensure their safety”.

Understanding the need for security is sometimes forgotten with most other logical concepts for a small inebriated minority. “On a recent Saturday night, a reveller entering the Taj President displayed contempt for the security guards and, frankly, his friends as well. The staff, however, managed to coax him into being frisked in a polite, even apologetic manner,” recounts Nidhi Shah, a college student. “Anywhere else,” she says, “the person would be barred entry. It epitomises Indian hospitality when protecting your own hotel is seen as something to apologise for.”

... contd.