h/t Simon Property Group forced a 10-year old girl in one of its Missouri malls to remove a bandana decorated with smiley faces, peace signs and flowers. The 10 year old had violated item No. 10 on the list of 17 offenses: "failing to be fully clothed or wearing apparel which is likely to provide a disturbance or embroil other groups or the general public in open conflict." (Columbia Daily Tribune)
Simon Property has refused to explain how a smiley face bandana promotes disturbances or conflict.
Christine Moses, director of mall marketing, noted the mall is privately owned and behavior on its premises can be regulated.
"The bottom line is we want to have an environment (conducive) to shopping. Offensive apparel does not fit in with that environment," she said, although she could not say how the bandanna was offensive.
Ironically, the JC Penney store in that very same mall sells ... decorated bandannas.
Here's the best part. Simon officials won't tell us what clothing is acceptable on their private property and what is not acceptable.
Mall officials won?t clarify what clothing and accessories are prohibited.
"The code of conduct is pretty clear, and, you know, I think common sense should prevail," said Les Morris, spokesman for Simon Property Group Inc., which owns the mall.
Given that Simons is the owner of three of our own lovely and talented malls - Century III, Ross Park and South Hills Village, we should probably know.
I'm guessing clothing worn predominantly by teenagers, African-Americans and homosexuals will be high up on that list. Not so much Mom jeans, tee shirts with pot belly stretch marks and Alfred Dunner mix 'n match.
