Worst problem with DSLR - "No Photos Allowed, sir"

I was at a local mall shooting with my Nikon 5100 w/small prime and was stopped by security and told photography was not permitted. I have my own feelings about this but hey, it's private property so it's their prerogative. Out of curiosity I went back to the same mall a few weeks later with my Sony NEX w/pancake lens and wasn't hassled.

The D5100 is probably the smallest DSLR around but it still screams DSLR. The NEX on other hand screams "compact camera tourist". I suspect the 4/3's would in the same category as the NEX, although the NEX looks a bit more like a P&S than most 4/3's.

Anyone else have this same experience regarding DSLRs vs non-DSLR cameras? Seems like a great positive in favor of NEX/MFT.