During the course of a single weekend, I experienced two very different approaches to bag check. First up was the Art Institute of Chicago. This well-known museum likes to greet paying members by forcing you to check virtually every bag you bring in — especially if it’s on the prohibited list. What does this list include? Try everything from “backpacks” to “briefcases”.

Meanwhile, the Banana Republic store a mile north of the museum won’t let you give them any bag to keep in the front while you shop — no matter how much stuff you end up lugging around the aisles. It seems like both of these organizations should be able to find a happy middle, but they’re afraid to give anything different a try.