The reason I mentioned Malls...is I went to one after I got this new camera...with the instruction manual...sat at the food court...and just was trying to learn the camera.  I was not shooting...just pointing...adjusting, twiddling, etc.  next thing I know, some security dude comes over and asked me what I was taking pictures of.  I said, nothing really, just learning this camera...just learning the focusing and how the zoom works, etc.  He said ...Ok, I can see your not doing anything wrong, but we have had a call, and we do not allow cameras in the mall as it is a "family oriented location" so thats the only reason im here. 
 
So I guess in essense he is saying people dont want you shooting them...i.e. maybe worried about shooting the kids?  I dont know... I was just off in a corner and mainly pointing at a water fall int he mall.   oh well.  So now im paranoid!