That's what I learned in Retail class. I do the same as you. Sometimes retailers are very suspicious, sometimes they will just wave you off. It depends on the value of merchandise.

It must be really hard to deal with. I've seen parents ignore it. The kid is going to tire themselves out eventually. A time out would be difficult to implement during a routine shopping trip and is much better than getting angry or enforcing a punishment.

I know the essential's, that's good enough for me. Thank goodness for calculators as back up.:)