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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU Changing rooms

29 replies

LittleMsNobody · 22/11/2025 20:48

AIBU to think that changing cubicles should be first come first served?

There seems to be a growing number of inconsiderate and entitled individuals at our local leisure centre who think the changing room rules don’t apply to them when there are swimming lessons on. From wearing outside, even muddy shoes into the charging areas despite numerous signs to remove outdoor footwear to plonking belongings into cubicles to “reserve” them before they’re actually needed.

For context, I’ve been taking my children to lessons at a few different swimming schools consistently over the last 10 years and I’ve never experienced the sort of entitlement I’ve seen at the new pool.

We’ve recently moved long distance and the “locals” all seem friendly, helpful and welcoming…until you get to the leisure centre. There are usually 4-5 different lessons swimming at the same time and there aren’t enough changing cubicles for everyone coming out of lessons to change at the same time. But this isn’t necessarily a problem because there are 10 changing cubicles and only 6 showers. So usually while the second lot finish showering and need to change the first lot are getting done and there’s generally not much more than a minute or two to wait for a cubicle. swimmers are ages 3-12 years old at the times we attend. However, there are a number of parents who put their kids bags in the cubicles BEFORE getting their kids from the instructor and showered. It doesn’t matter whether there little darlings are first out or last out, they “reserve” cubicles regardless of whether anyone else is already ready to change and needs one or not. I find this extremely rude, inconsiderate and entitled. I’m so fed up of it. I just can’t understand the mentality. What would you do?

OP posts:
BraOffPjsOn · 22/11/2025 20:57

This is exactly what our leisure centre swimming lessons are like!
Once the swimming manager came over to us sitting down watching to say our things would be moved if they were in the changing rooms (then she saw the kids swim bags and we said we were glad they were getting on top of the changing room issues!) but then it was no different the rest of the time.

Could you ask the staff to move things? Otherwise move them yourself?

It is infuriating though.

YodasHairyButt · 22/11/2025 20:51

Take their stuff out and use the cubicle

BlueMum16 · 22/11/2025 20:51

How old is your DC? Is there no bench area you can use?

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 22/11/2025 20:50

I don’t know that there’s anything you can do in this situation, it sounds rubbish but people will be rubbish! Struggling to offer any advice