To complain about this man in the women's loos?

[FairfaxAikman]

In the supermarket and had to nip to the loo with toddler DS in tow.
After finishing up in the cubicle I open up the door to come fact to face with a male member of staff.
I'm aware they need to clean the loos, but AIBU to think he should have announced himself before entering so it wasn't such a shock or people could object?
No sign on the main door either (as I've seen elsewhere) so women entering would be unaware.
Should I mention it to customer services?

Meh.

"should I ask customer service to ask him to announce his entry to the female loos in future?"

Why didn't you mention it to him yourself at the time?

That's why the male cleaners at my place hate going in the ladies as they get shitty attitudes and shitty looks.

There was no sign and no call out.
I've already said "complain" is a bit strong but I do feel a warning when entering should have been given so I didn't get a fright.

Wow. Its nothing. Try working in a place where a secret camera has been fitted in the loos to watch you peeing.

I always just assume that a) I might bump into a cleaner and b) it might be a man.

No frights then.

"Hide your fannies, I'm coming in!"

Was he wearing a scary mask for halloween? Are you easily frightened?

Not worth getting het up about but mention it to customer services sure.
"Could you ask your cleaners to announce when they're entering the women's toilets. Was a bit of a shock when I came out. Thanks"

Appropriate response would be bloody hell what are you doing in here, why didn't you shout? O.K. you were startled, you'll be ready next time so chalk it up.

Imagine if he somehow ended up dismissed for being in the female toilets unexpectedly!

Seriously? Get a grip. You weren't naked when you saw him. You were in the same state of dress/undress as you were when you walked through the shop and you saw hundreds of men, employees and customers, whilst you shopped.

I suppose you are the type that would also complain if the toilets hadn’t been cleaned.

Would people be telling Op to grow up and stop being ridiculous if she had been the victim of sexual assault and was uncomfortable being in enclosed spaces alone with men?

If there's a sign to forewarn then someone can act according to the situation. Most won't care, some might use a different loo, others might wait for someone else to go in so they aren't alone, and others might simply mentally prepare themselves for the possibility of coming face to face with a strange man. If there's a call out before he comes in then they can decide stay in the cubicle. Plenty of ways to handle the situation rather than being avoidably and unpleasantly surprised.

Holy smokes!

Yabu

Of you look on supermarket toilet doors there will be a sign that says ‘this toilet may be cleaned by male members of staff’ or words to that effect.

That was your warning.

So many people tripping over themselves to be cool.

Sex segregation in toilets is there for a reason. It is common practice for male attendants to announce they are coming in to clean. If he didn't, it we good for him to be reminded to do so. No job loss necessary.

Just because one person is cool with it doesn't mean everyone will be so a reminder to announce himself is wise.

I get where you're coming from op

So many people tripping over themselves to be cool

OP asked for opinions. It doesn't mean you're "trying to be cool" if you don't have a problem with male cleaners.
Just that you see it differently.

• Of you look on supermarket toilet doors there will be a sign that says ‘this toilet may be cleaned by male members of staff’ or words to that effect.

That was your warning.*

You mean the one that Op mentioned she looked for and that wasn't there?

I think I’d probably mention it to customer services.
I appreciate he was doing his job but if you’re not expecting someone of the opposite sex to walk in then yes it would probably make me uncomfortable too. A quick shout out isn’t really difficult to do.

@BettysLeftTentacle except as I've said repeatedly there was no sign.

Nope @CandyLeBonBon, I can be as GC as they come, I’m definitely not cool but it stands to reason and is infact rather logical, that if you have a commercial business that has to ribose toileting facilities and employs only a certain amount of staff, that sometimes the person cleaning the ladies loo might actually have to be male.

I've been sexually assaulted by a male staff member in a café toilet. I still think OP is beign ridiculous. We've been banging on for decades about cleaning not just being women's work and now we're having conniption fits when we see a male cleaner.

Close and lock the toilet door. Why does it even matter who is in the sink area? As women we are not fragile delicate flowers who need safe spaces to wash our hands. How do you think disabled people cope using their unisex toilets?? How do you cope when your husband cleans your bathroom at home? Do you really think women should be the only ones doing a (literally) shit job just to pander to you?

You were in a closed cubicle. When he saw you you were fully clothed I assume. So he didn't actually see anything, nor did you that you wouldn't have have seen if you bumped into him on the shopping aisle?

Do men need to wear a bell to announce their presence?