Just seen a woman trying on a dress OUTSIDE Next

[Eminybob]

As in stripping off into her underwear and trying the dress on, looking at her reflection in the window, then sending her friend in to get a different size

This is not normal behaviour is it? Has COVID stretched the boundaries of what is considered acceptable to this extent? (I’m assuming her reason was something to do with COVID)

I didn’t put this in AIBU because I’m definitely not BU.

Anyone else seen shocking behaviour recently that wouldn’t have happened pre-pandemic?

Maybe the peep show was the point and the dress was a red herring

That is not normal nor acceptable! DH used to live in Spain, many years ago ZARA used to have amazing sales, where people would line up around the block for the bargains. DH went looking for a coat, he said that women (mostly) were just undressing everywhere in the store since the line for the changing rooms was too long. Apparently everything was on display and nobody seemed to care in their eagerness to grab a cheap skirt/blouse etc. (He got his coat, 90% reduction on the normal price)

That is not normal nor acceptable!
why isn't it acceptable? It's not hurting anyone and it usually doesn't take 15 minutes to put on a dress, her underwear will have been on show for a few seconds. Big deal.

I would have tried the dress on top of my clothes personally, but I really wouldn't care what others do.

I used to live in a country with extremely limited changing rooms, and a 3 day refund policy.
I didnt strip off, but used to put teeshirts and jumpers on over my existing clothes.
Unless desperate, bras, swimming costumes and trousers all used to be bought en-mass on trips back to the UK.
Kudos to her stripping off. I suspect the police would have had something to say if they had seen it.

I think if I were that worried about the inconvenience of returning another day, I would probably not go shopping and just buy online.
It's not normal but years in retail have taught me that some people are just fine stripping off in front of others and really don't mind if it makes other people uncomfortable.
Not sure what the reaction would be if a man did this in public with the potential for kids to be around mind.

@SanFrancisco49er

I think if I were that worried about the inconvenience of returning another day, I would probably not go shopping and just buy online. It's not normal but years in retail have taught me that some people are just fine stripping off in front of others and really don't mind if it makes other people uncomfortable. Not sure what the reaction would be if a man did this in public with the potential for kids to be around mind.

Not sure what the reaction would be if a man did this in public with the potential for kids to be around mind.

Fine as long as he keeps his underwear on.

Not sure what the reaction would be if a man did this in public with the potential for kids to be around mind.

Eh?

Men walk about with no tops on every day of the week. Of course the woman should never be seen in underwear

Before Covid I used to see women in shops trying on tops like jumpers and T shirts etc without going to the changing rooms. They weren't in their undies but they were struggling to get jumpers on over other clothes. I used to assume they were tourists and didn't know the etiquette.

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire I think there would be more of a reaction if a man did it for sure.

[quote SanFrancisco49er]@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire I think there would be more of a reaction if a man did it for sure.[/quote]
I doubt a man would be trying on a dress so he wouldn't need to strip down to his underwear.

@gotothecooler I didnt say a woman shouldn't be seen in underwear? I meant, people would react more if a man did it.

I saw an almost naked man (still had his boots on) capping on the pavement outside Boots 🤢! Though I doubt that had much to do with Covid...

@SanFrancisco49er

The implication of 'but what if a man did it' - condemning a woman while men walk about topless all the time

That's what I am saying .

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire but he could conceivably be trying on something else he might want to strip down to underwear for? And actually yes, men do try on dresses, I've helped plenty of them do so :)

I wouldn’t do it but I can understand people doing so. Perhaps shopping in bikinis so you can easily try things on without the need for a changing room will become the new norm.

overshare!

[quote SanFrancisco49er]@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire but he could conceivably be trying on something else he might want to strip down to underwear for? And actually yes, men do try on dresses, I've helped plenty of them do so :)[/quote]
I'm sure some men wear dresses but nowhere near as many as women do. A man is much more likely to be trying on a top or a trousers which would only require one article of clothing being removed.

Dh got told off for trying on a Sweatshirt in the shop. She said it's not allowed that's why changing rooms are closed. But he could have bought it, tried it on outside and then returned it.

I think good on her. She's showing up their rules for how stupid and nonsensical they really are.

It's not always so easy for people to return things. Not if you're rural and rely on buses. Or don't very often get chance to go shopping.

If you can use a public toilet a changing room should also be fine. If you can take the clothes outside to try on, then there is no reason to not just let people try on in store.

Can’t bring myself to get worked up about it. Surely nothing more was on show than if she had been taking a dress off with a bikini underneath on the beach?

Well, I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil outside Next.

@gotothecooler I understood what you were saying but I was just pointing out that I hadn't said anything like that. If anything, I was saying, people might think it odd for anyone to do it but would be more shocked at a man doing so than a woman. I think a lot of people would see a man taking off clothes down to underwear in a public place differently to men walking around on a hot day in shorts/jeans with no top on. Logically, theres not really a difference but people dont always react logically.

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire of course no man would try a dress on - Oh hang on - wrong! cant think that or say it!
Actually I have to say this under no circumstances will I be doing this - & the world can be grateful!!!
mind its going to make life interesting if you are in a queue waiting if this behaviour becomes popular

When I first read the OP I though 'hmm that's a bit weird', but the more I think about it, the more I love the idea. Changing rooms are always so bloody hot, sweaty and cramped. Being out in the fresh air means I could probably try stuff on much faster. Better lighting too. I think it needs to become a regular 'thing'.

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire but my point isnt about the likelihood of it happening, I was merely ruminating on how people might be more shocked if a man did it.

Hah! Good on her. I'd not have the confidence to do that but I wish I did!

I agree that it makes absolutely zero sense that public toilets can be open, shared use facilities on camping sites etc but not a changing room.