From my experiences most people are kind to games/surroundings UNLESS, they feel they got cheated/frustrated by it. Maybe something else is wrong in their life or trying to impress friends so they mess your stuff up (rare, but it does happen). Especially in places where people aren't watching like the restrooms.
In the past year I've replaced 2 urinals and one toilet because some dumbass smashed them (usually with a mug). Always the mens room, women usually just draw penises on the wall or something, thanks ladies 
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Shows are pretty much the same, the exception is your game see's a lot more play in a shorter amount of time. That and Tilts don't really punish the person playing (financially speaking) for being rough, since they are on free play. I'm always surprised at the amount of machines that aren't even close to being leveled at shows. It's a fundamental thing, why would you go through the trouble of bringing a game to set it up like shit? (maybe so no-one plays it?... kind of defeats the purpose, unless you can't afford the discount price for bringing a game.)
spend a little time beforehand seeking out and fixing ball traps. You might not find them all, but at least you can minimize the chances of abuse for that reason.
