Men in changing rooms

[TheWernethWife]

Went shopping yesterday, popped into a well known women's shop and there was a man in the changing room. When I asked why he was there the assistant looked at me like I had three heads and said he was probably helping his wife and most people wouldn't be bothered. Well I was bloody bothered.

" it's not like the man was peeping into cubicles! "

How do you know? You can often see through the gap between the curtain and the wall without making any special effort anyway.

What is truly sexist is this constant pushing of the idea that women have to put up with any behaviour that men choose to indulge in even in a designated women changing place.

I absolutely don't think this. Women should not have to put up with a lot of male behaviour, but I really can't see how a man in a changing room where there are cubicles is any more of a threat to you than a man anywhere else.

Oh well. I guess I'll continue to not be horrified by mundane things.

When my DH tries something on he always likes me to have a look and give an opinion. I never walk into the mens changing rooms he always comes out and shows me. I just wouldn't do it as I don't think it's right. Ditto if I have trying something on I would come out and ask him what he thinks not expect him to come into the womens changing rooms.

I would not be happy about a man wandering around like this and would make it clear to the assistant and if continued ask to speak to the

What about stores where the isn't a changing room, just a corner with a door/curtain? I've seen many like this, with men and women walking around the store. I don't see the difference. You don't get changed infront of other people either way.

This is becoming boring and it's just going round in circles.

Obviously, some people think that men have the right to go anywhere they like, regardless of the feelings of others.

Personally, I think men should respect the fact that some women don't actually want them in certain women's space and they should keep out.

Obviously, some people think men's wishes trump women's wishes. Twas ever thus. Clearly nothing changes.

Also the argument that it is hysterical and women viewin all men as sex offenders is ridiculous. It is about the need for privacy and space when getting changed. If the 'you don;t want men in your changing room therefore think everyone is a sex offender, argument' was true then no one would have any problem trying clothes on and getting undressed in an open store, Obviously that would include swimwear. bras or whatever, because if you don't feel uncomfortable with the idea that a man may be looking at you or even accidentally see you then you are a hysteric who sees sex offenders on every corner.

Obviously the vast majority of men are not sex offenders and I would guess that the vast majority of men don't have a problem staying out of women's changing rooms.

His wife prob made him go into the changing room with her to help with a zip or something i bet he felt far more uncomfortable than anybody else. 😂

I remember the exact age at which myself and each of my kids started to feel uncomfortable about stripping in front of other people, especially strangers, or the opposite sex.

Thats not bigotry, or fear. Its a desire for privacy. And its appropriate to express a desire for privacy.

"See, I just don't get this. You're in a cubicle, surely? "

Many have curtains and the curtains don't go from wall to wall. I usually put my bag on one side to make them stay to the wall, but there's usually a gap on the other side.

Wow this debate is getting fierce. The shop allowed OP was unhappy vote with your feet and money end of.

This does open up a needed debate about changing room access. As an example of a dad is out with his young daughter let's say 7 should he then be allowed in as it would not be right to take her to the men's now would it.

Most department stores don't have male/female changing. They are just "dressing rooms".

I guess I'll continue to not be horrified by mundane things

There you go again - dismissing the legitimate feelings of women by using exaggerated language. No one has said they are horrified - you have chosen that extreme word to diminish others feelings and make out they are over reacting. Misogyny at it's worst. Very manipulative language and rather worrying that you conduct yourself in this way.

Extreme misogyny from you again.

I've been on the wrong end of ACTUAL extreme misogyny (spoiler: it's worse than a man being outside your changing cubicle), so I'm going to comfortably ignore your opinions of me.

I don't know many men who would want to go into a women's changing room (it'd be the stuff of nightmares for most of them!), all I was trying to say at the start was that it's not THAT big a deal, and men can be there innocently for a variety of reasons.

Anyway, off to name change I guess. I didn't mean to get into this big of a fight.

I've been on the wrong end of ACTUAL extreme misogyny

Then perhaps you should have a little more empathy with those that have also been in this position. We all react to trauma or mistreatment in different ways. I don't dismiss the natural caution of those who have had bad experiences even if my reaction would not be the same. Because I can relate to the feelings of others.

I don't have a problem with men in general, I have a problem with men in a women;s changing room, it makes me uncomfortable and uneasy. Not terrified, horrified or outraged. but uncomfortable. I have a right to try on clothes in a women;s changing room without there being a man there who doesn't need to be there.

FrancisCrawford

Erm, not nonsense at all. I went shopping today. I visited at least three mainstream department stores. It said "Dressing room" or "changing" - no male or female designated areas except, as I recall, in the underwear department at M&S. Yes, the clothing for men and women was stocked on different floors but there is nothing to stop me picking up items one floor and trying them on on another floor.

FrancisCrawford

I'm not going to tell you where I live. Disbelieve me if you like but I hardly see the point.

"Get a grip. Grow up."

No and No.

I've never done this to anyone in MN before...

Grow up

OP is grown-up.

So it the man.

that is the problem - we aren't talking about five-year -olds getting changed for PE here. It's totally inappropriate.