‘Trans women have been using women's spaces for years’

clearly not. I am just amused how it is inconceivable to you that a "normal" woman would argue for trans existence, so I must be male.

Oh the 'existence' thing again. Nobody is debating trans people's existence. If we thought they didn't exist, discussing their access to women's spaces would be a bit pointless, wouldn't it? I can't say I give much thought to whether I want to share a bathroom with non-existent entities (unicorns, werewolves?).

Have to echo what previous women have said.
I have never in my 40 odd years had a conversation like that in the ladies toilets.
Never.
I just go in, do my business, wash my hands and get out.
I've never been asked to pass paper towels, tampons, or been complimented or complimented anyone else on their choice of shoes / lipstick shade / hair colour / dress.

I can see why transwomen THINK this is what happens on a daily basis in the ladies bathrooms - because all they know about being a woman is what they have seen in bad ""Lifetime" movies and from fantasies written by men. They don't and can't know what it is to be a woman, because they are not women.
Just like I don't know what it is to be disabled, deaf, blind, or a man. I have no idea. And I would never claim that I did.

The facts, OP, are:

1. Women have ALWAYS known.
2. Most of us were NEVER happy about it
3. We put up with it through fear / intimidation / not wanting to cause a fuss
4. Now there are MANY MANY more people claiming they are "trans"
5. Now there are men - men with a problem we are not allowed to mention on Mumsnet - who will use the loophole of saying they are "trans" to access female spaces for their own nefarious purposes
6. Admitting ONE male (of any sort), makes the space immediately mixed sex and no longer a single sex female space
7. Males already can use the male bathroom or the disabled bathroom. Why do they need to colonise the ladies spaces too?
8. Males should "shove over" and admit TWs into the male estate. Why is it up to women to encompass males who "feel" they are not male? Widen the bandwith of what it means to be male instead of expecting women to admit males into their safe spaces
9. Women HAVE been attacked by TWs in their spaces. This is a FACT. And one time is one time TOO MANY.

There are lots more reasons.
But mainly, we know.

"always tell" refers to being around someone. But I think you know that. On this online forum you'll never know which of the two sexes all the readers think you are.

-

Legally, it's perfectly legit for organisations to invoke the exceptions which allow for single-sex spaces. Without checking the organisation's policy in advance, isn't it better that males who know they are males stay out of women's facilities on the grounds that they MIGHT be breaking the law by using them? I mean, they could also give a flying fart about women's feelings, needs, dignity & privacy but for some males, that'll be the day when pigs fly.

Catherina, it is not just that you are arguing in support of trans privilege.

There are many little throwaway comments and turns of phrase that come across as male.

'Not chat you're really excited to have because it gives you the thrilling but incorrect notion that it means you're womaning convincingly.'

It's very like a chat-up line: 'Excuse me, would you mind passing me a paper towel [and would you like to see my etchings]?

'clearly not. I am just amused how it is inconceivable to you that a "normal" woman would argue for trans existence, so I must be male.'

I don't find that inconceivable. I do find it inconceivable that a female who has used women's toilets for her whole life in the UK would ask a stranger to pass her a paper towel.

That's incidental chat, though, not attention seeking chat.

Yes. Normal chat like you'd have with anyone of either sex. Not chat you're really excited to have because it gives you the thrilling but incorrect notion that it means you're womaning convincingly.

But you aren't arguing for trans existence.
You are arguing for letting men in womens and girls intimate spaces. Which shows a breathtaking level of naive stupidity if you are indeed a woman.

Are we arguing for “trans existence”

If you are a man in the woman's bathroom yes we can always tell.

If you are a random person on the internet we can only go by your language which as has already been mentioned - pushing women's boundaries. Something we expect from men. And something disturbing if indeed you are a woman.

However your little game isn't quite the victory you think it is.

I can’t tell what sex someone adult is by their text, but in person I’d be surprised if I couldn’t. Babies are unisex for ages.

I can always tell face to face. You can lie on the internet, as you well know.

'Lots of generic chat, though, about the lack of soap, or the uselessness of the hand driers, or the length of the bloody queue!'

That's incidental chat, though, not attention seeking chat.

I thought you could "always tell"?
We can't actually SEE you, can we, luv?

Re convos in the loos, my most memorable one was when I rushed in and upchucked with proper sound effects, and emerged ashen-faced.

The woman already washing her hands looked at me sideways, but didn't say anything. I looked at her sideways. 'Morning sickness,' I said. 'Oh love,' she said, 'that's horrible, I had it terribly!'

But I can't remember a single discussion about clothes, hair, makeup or shoes with anyone other than someone I know already.

Lots of generic chat, though, about the lack of soap, or the uselessness of the hand driers, or the length of the bloody queue!

Although I do seem to remember hanging round in the toilets at school for longer than necessary. Doing makeup at the mirrors etc. I left school very early but when I was about 13/14 that seemed to be a thing.

'I quite often complement people on their babies in public toilets'

If the baby is particularly cute I might notice.

Catherina

You seem like a man performing his version of femininity to me. But since I am unlikely to meet you face to face, it doesn't matter.

I quite often complement people on their babies in public toilets.

'"my thinking" like "I love your shoes", "where did you get that dress, if you don't mind me asking" and "could you pass me a paper towel please"'

This sounds very performative. Just get your own paper towel. I use public toilets for convenience, not chat, and the only time I speak to anyone is if something unusual happens.