Temporary mixed sex changing at swimming pool

Just to add our cubicles do have doors, realised my post suggested otherwise.

We have mixed changing rooms with (open top/bottom) cubicles, but the showers are open plan and mixed sex. There is a strict no nudity policy, although small kids are sometimes naked. It's been like this for the 12yrs I've lived here. I have to admit, I feel a bit uncomfortable sharing a shower in close proximity to a random bloke, the shower heads are fairly close together, it feels different to sharing a pool and I'm not normally one to bother about things like this. So I can imagine a lot of women go without the showers.

I'd hate the mixed sex open plan changing mentioned by the OP. You just know some bloke will get his kicks by stripping off.

I assumed it was no getting changed as well.

I wonder how the pool will feel when the people who aren't fussed (of which there will be more than exhibitionists) start stripping off in front of everyone/ stripping their younger children off.

I suspect they will introduce a rule pretty quick!

Also in general it's pretty shit that women have to cite personal previous trauma to explain why they don't want to get their kit off (be in a hosp ward etc) with men.

It isn't that nobody is changing, though, it is that nobody is expected to be changing. While it's mixed, they could easily decree no nudity, and I think they should. Otherwise it's too good an opportunity for exhibitionists to make a display of what they've got!

Why not suggest a 'No nudity while changing rooms are unavailable' ruling, with clear signage, OP?

But it isn't mixed sex changing. Noone is changing. Taking off joggers and a t shirt and putting them back on. You'll be sharing the pool with near naked people anyway.

My daughter swims/trains and this is the regime they now have to follow if they want to swim at all. They get out of the pool and are out of the building within about 5 mins.

So you shower before you leave home if you are sweaty/covered in sun cream etc. And arrive in your costume and then towel down and leave in the same kit.

Wearing artificial fibres helps.

At least you won’t have the wind trying to whisk your towel away at a critical moment.

People manage on beaches, even very crowded ones with the wind blowing and sand everywhere.

And it’s temporary, and you can choose to keep your swimmers on and use a robe or similar.

A full changing robe (top tip, get one with extra slots for your hands to dive in and adjust clothing) is easy to make with two towels stitched together if you can’t get hold of one.

This seems like an impractical set up in general. But I think the idea that it is similar to a beach is on the right track, and they should set the rules to be similar as well - ie you don't get completely undressed.

I would email them again, say that this is potentially problematic for many women and children, especially some who are vulnerable (disabled, assault victims, religious), and they should consider either enforcing no undressing rules, have some women only times, or something similar.

I’d certainly raise it again - it’s really not a big ask. I think people would naturally spread out / try to give people privacy. I do a lot of open water swimming and there isn’t anywhere to change and most people sort of spread out or certainly the guys keep their distance. I have a dry robe - it’s like a massive coat that you can change under - I do a full change to drive home from the lake as it’s about 25 miles away - it would be very hot inside but there is probably a similar thing that isn’t as heavy?

-You clarify what they said was correct
-You request, if it is correct, whether there are any allowances for anyone with previous trauma etc
-If not, you don't go swimming

I know that's harsh, I know it's not ideal, but nothing about this situation is ideal.

If you have women only sessions...absolutely essential in my view, it will be used as a testing ground for any guy who thinks he has a feeling he is a woman. Solution . Men only , women only ,and trans / non binary don’t knows in another .

Have they done an equality impact assessment?

Can they do some women only sessions?

I wonder what the logic behind not opening changing rooms is? My gym and pool is open, but they put cleaning stations everywhere and you have to sanitise your locker and the bench before and after using them.

This is appalling. I expect there are some men who will get a kick out of watching a woman undress, even if it’s just down to swimwear. I bet there will also be men who turn up without swimwear on underneath and will be gung-ho about flashing everyone while they change. The same again when getting dressed at the end.

Ask again. I don't think the German example is relevant here as culture and respect are different there.

One women's only session a week would be reasonable too.

They need to ban removal of swimming costumes. People should just be toweling off and putting on something over their swimwear and changing at home.

Aren't you not allowed to get changed in changing rooms now anyway due to new rules, so it'd be a case of just putting your clothes on over yourself?
If so (apologies if wrong) but think that's like how it is here (I'm UK)

Ffs of course this is going to put women and children at a disadvantage to men

It doesn't matter what you would do for your own decency (which is very easy to sort) it matters that there WILL be people (men) who think nothing of stripping off.

I think I'd approach them again and ask them to modify their rules to "wear your costume/shorts and a robe and flip flops and no removing costumes until you are off site entirely.

Or do sex segregated sessions.

Surely the logical thing would to have mixed sex sessions, female only and male only sessions? Round here there are lots of men who'd be equally unhappy with this arrangement.

Just think of it as a beach.