Here in India, security seems a little stricter.
Yet I have often been given back spare camera batteries, a small bottle of water and even a small pair of scissors that I had forgotten to put in the check-in bags.
Usually, after I thank the security guy (Para-military) I ask him why he had allowed me to take them on-board.
He said they invariably check a persons body language (demeanour, eyes etc). they can usually spot a potential problem before the frisking. He said the thorough pat-downs are a secondary act. They catch quite a few smugglers this way.
We were treated very kindly and weren't searched.