If the alarm goes off just hold up any piece of paper that looks like a receipt and keep walking. That's what I do when I'm not stealing anything at least, but nobody's ever stopped me to find out.

There's no reason to even bother holding something up. Just keep walking. It's what I've always done, and it's never once caused an issue even if there's somebody at the door.

If you are a dad with blond hair and blue eyes, that may help.

it's not only your opinion, it's an actual fact.

these are called deterrents. same as cctv and other tech. they're not bulletproof, their aim is to make life harder for the perp.