the terms "soft target" and "hard target" are flexible in nature and the distinction between the two is not always clear. however, typical "soft targets" are civilian sites where unarmed people congregate in large numbers; examples include national monuments, hospitals, schools, sporting arenas, hotels, cultural centers, movie theaters, cafés and restaurants, places of worship, nightclubs, shopping centers, transportation sites (such as railway stations, buses, rail systems, and ferries), and farmers' cooperatives. soft targets are contrasted with hard targets, which typically restrict access to the public and are well-protected. examples of hard targets include airports, government buildings, military installations, diplomatic missions, and power stations.