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Original poster

Glasgow M&S Changing room debacle

85 replies

Lordfrontpaw · 13/03/2020 14:37

Now I can't quite get my head around this. I must be missing something. Please note this was two men, no claims of them being anything other than two men.

So - 2 men wanted to use the changing room in the ladies clothes section because (just the) one was trying on trousers.

A member of the M&S team then told him: “I can’t stop you from using it,”

One was told by a member of the public that it was for women only to “try on bras”

While in the changing room, they heard the member of the public say, “I wouldn’t want to get my t**s out in front of other men.

It is then claimed the M&S staff member laugh and agreed before saying, “we have to allow it because of all this new stuff."

The couple complained to a manager instore who told them that she would reiterate to staff that fitting rooms were unisex. They also complained in writing to the store and are now looking to escalate their complaint further. (of course they are)

The men said that while they don't identify as women, if they had, then the negative comments they heard from women could have driven them to suicide

One said “I could have been a non-binary or trans person, they don’t know that.”

M&S apologise

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18302422.amp/

OP posts:
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Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 24/03/2020 21:26

I’ve got some knocking around!

OP posts:
Procrastinator2 · 24/03/2020 19:44

Has anyone bought shares in M & S for protest purposes? There was talk previously.

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 24/03/2020 19:21

Ratners springs to mind!

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TheProdigalKittensReturn · 24/03/2020 18:11

Companies that have managed to alienate a chunk of their most loyal customer base may well not survive for that long.

truthisarevolutionaryact · 24/03/2020 18:09

Deathraystare
Countless women wrote to M & S and lots of us cancelled our accounts etc . M & S were absolutely clear in their responses - they did not give a toss about how mixed sex spaces negatively impacted on the safety / privacy of women and children. They doubled down and prioritised the wishes of men to access women when vulnerable.

It seems a long time ago now and, given everything we're all facing, their stupidity fades into the distance. But I still won't be shopping there again when life returns to normality.

Singasonga · 24/03/2020 18:03

Canada lives next door to the US. I think the mere presence of Trump has pushed Canada into a Scotland/Irish mindset of throwing out any policy that whiffs even slightly of conservative American culture.

Binterested · 24/03/2020 17:52

Scotland has gone from being deeply homophobic to utterly woke in one generation

That’s sort of my explanation for what’s happening in Ireland too. Ireland experienced decades, centuries of theocratic repression. All of the abuse was kept protected by control and repression (disclaimer - NAPALT - not all priests are like that). Listening to Marian Keyes talking about Ireland as a theocratic state the other day on the radio was very compelling.

When that got blown away, anything that looked controlling or repressive also got thrown away. Some of it for good reason (ban on gay marriage, abortion). Some of it in a massive bonfire of common sense. Safeguarding is controlling and repressive. For a reason. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back one day.

No idea what Canada’s excuse is though. Maybe they are just idiots.

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 24/03/2020 17:43

I did both. And to John Lewis. And Always. They really don’t care.

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Deathraystare · 24/03/2020 17:40

If women voted with their feet (and wrote to M&S to say why) then there would not be this utter nonsense!

Luckystar777 · 20/03/2020 12:47

I complained to M&S and they just told me that's their policy as with many other places these days. They didn't want to hear about all us women boycotting them so I guess if they go bust it's their own stupid fault.

fascinated · 15/03/2020 21:19

Sorry, “daring”

fascinated · 15/03/2020 21:18

And I am actually now thinking how ironic the “professionally offended” comment about my dating to speak for all Scots is...

fascinated · 15/03/2020 21:17

Yep. I was going to reference the notion of “the lady doth protest too much..” (or whatever that quote says)

But I thought it might be a bit sexist!

Watchagotcha · 15/03/2020 21:14

Scotland has gone from being deeply homophobic to utterly woke in one generation

This is so true. I’m Scottish, but haven’t lived there for around 20 years. I rather lost touch with scottish politics for quite a while (living down under) then caught back up when we moved back to Europe. It was like a different country. I don’t recognise it at the moment. It seems like there are loads of smug, gay men in spanky waistcoats setting all the agendas - and no one seems to question them, out of politeness or not wanting to be called homophobic.

It’s like the whole country has overshot, when trying to address its homophobia. Like when people try to become more assertive and overshoot into aggressiveness until they get the balance right.

youllhavehadyourtea · 15/03/2020 15:08

ahh. So she didnt say nyaff off? It would have been appropriate in Marks in this instance, anyhow.

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 15/03/2020 14:58

That’s ‘naff’ as if ‘naff off’.

‘Wee nyaff’ is (not) a term of endearment (when you can’t quite get away with calling someone an absolute arsehole/little shit).

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youllhavehadyourtea · 15/03/2020 14:56

I always thought it was just Princess Anne who said that... ;-)

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 15/03/2020 14:53

Arf! Does the youth no longer say ‘wee nyaff’?

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youllhavehadyourtea · 15/03/2020 14:51

I really hope Glaswegian youth haven’t disappeared up their own backsides.

Nah. They'll be twats through fae Embra Yooni.

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 15/03/2020 14:36

I was thinking about it, and could imagine some of the lads I knew in my youth thinking it was outrageous that their mums and nans could be put in such a situation, and that it would be a gas to do such a thing (and have the brass neck to make a performance out of it)! I really hope so.

I really hope Glaswegian youth haven’t disappeared up their own backsides.

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everythingcrossed · 15/03/2020 14:32

It sounds to me as if the men wanted to make a point about the absurdity of the policy but possibly I'm being over-optimistic

Original poster
Lordfrontpaw · 15/03/2020 14:24

I had a thought. Are these two lads someone’s mates? Maybe trying to expose the batshittery of the policy?

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auldcraw · 14/03/2020 10:38

I will miss the syrup sponge puddings - but this will be good for my health. And as for my comfort I will desist in spending any money at Marks and Spencers as of today and will encourage all my female relations to do the same.

HorseWithNoLang · 14/03/2020 09:23

I think that homophobia is alive and well everywhere. It's just that those sort of people have learned to be quieter about their hatreds.

FlyingOink · 14/03/2020 09:02

Dont talk absolute bullshit. Deeply homophobic. How dare you speak for a whole nation, how deeply offensive.

I found it deeply homophobic, and decided not to live there as a result. I found the southeast to be far less homophobic.

I didn't go to every Scottish town and city and I didn't speak to every single person who lived there but that was my impression.

It seems less homophobic now.

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