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Please do NOT touch the paintings
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The classic. I myself have set off alarms (just looking closely, honest!) in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts -theyve got this Rembrandt that is so amazing- youre sucked right in. I set it off twice in one visit, drawing the guard stink eye. I've also seen guard totally tail people, dog them right out the door.
But I feel for the guards cause I was one once. And I know they gotta watch it, (Just not be such an asshole about it) Yes there are the previously mentioned stupids- Ive seen adults literally rub their hands down the surface of a painting, scratch at the paint with a fingernail, assist their kids as they mount a display case to grab on to some sculpture, breaking part of it off (was that wrong? should I have not done that?). And unfortunately,there are thieves and vandals trying to do damage- pens or other pointy things being the weapon of choice for whatever political or private gripe. Maybe theyre pissed at the guards.
I think this is changing a bit, but guards are the public face of most art museums. They are the only people visitors meet and interact with- and that can make or break the experience.