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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Man cleaner in women changing rooms

372 replies

Globaluser · 22/01/2022 08:17

So I moved to Europe a year ago nearly and just recently started coming to the gym.

In this gym there were no notices up to state there’s both male and female cleaners. So I was caught kinda off guard when I walked out the shower and came across a man mopping the floors.

So I’m wondering since I didn’t really go to any u.k gyms. Is this actually normal?

I mean for me that means I will be showering at home from now on, as I see a difference between women seeing me naked and a man seeing me naked.
So I just wanted to ask how many of you would mind and how many of you have come across a male cleaner in a womens changing room in the u.k.
Thank you ☺️

OP posts:
Ovenaffray · 22/01/2022 08:19

I’ve seen it a few times but there’s usually a sign up to say the toilet / changing room will be cleaned by men and women both.

Lazypuppy · 22/01/2022 08:19

Normal in the UK for both male and female cleaners in each changing room

drpet49 · 22/01/2022 08:19

* Normal in the UK for both male and female cleaners in each changing room*

^This

girlmom21 · 22/01/2022 08:21

Why don't you just wrap yourself in a towel when you get out the shower if you don't want him to see you naked?

fandangoclem · 22/01/2022 08:21

Well its normal but in my experience they but a note on the door..or if it is occupied they wait

fandangoclem · 22/01/2022 08:22

@girlmom21

Why don't you just wrap yourself in a towel when you get out the shower if you don't want him to see you naked?
Ffs
DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 22/01/2022 08:23

Yes this is normal. Happen alot in motorway services.

I would just choose to shower at home.

Shiningpath · 22/01/2022 08:23

Have you ever hear of a towel?

Shunter350 · 22/01/2022 08:25

Well.. women cleaner in mens loos..?!
Bear in mind we generally pee in a trough..
Makes me uncomfortable tbh.Shock

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 22/01/2022 08:28

Totally normal in the UK though they normally put a sign on the door or knock and check first.

Are you sure they didn't knock and shout out and you didn't hear as you were in the shower?

girlmom21 · 22/01/2022 08:32

@fandangoclem what are you 'Ffs'ing at?
I don't particularly want to see naked women wandering around when I'm at the gym Hmm

FTEngineerM · 22/01/2022 08:35

Agree @girlmom21

I don’t want any interaction with a naked body, thanks.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/01/2022 08:36

Having worked in many leisure centres I know it happens a lot. And they knock loudly, shout as they come in. They really do t want to scare anyone, but sometimes it just has to be done.

And that's men in women's changing and women in men's changing.

It's also why people think those cleaners are rude, they tend to keep their eyes on the floor, or whatever it is they are cleaning, have a slightly hunched posture. It's a job, occasionally made really shit by surprising someone or someone just going off on rant.

Pawprintpaper · 22/01/2022 08:38

Was he dressed like an elf?

PrivateHall · 22/01/2022 08:39

Yeh but there would normally be a sign on the door to warn you. To be honest though I am with the posters who ask if you bring a towel? Do you just carry the towel and walk out naked? Sorry but I don't really need to see that in a changing room.

Original poster
Globaluser · 22/01/2022 08:43

Yes I was in a towel.
Thank you all responding. I was just curious if this was normal or not and now I know it is.

OP posts:
Artichokeleaves · 22/01/2022 08:44

Good practice would be that the centre have a sign up at the times the cleaner is working in there so that women can make an informed choice. Since some women won't see the problem but other women cannot use a mixed sex space like this for many reasons, this is necessary as otherwise the changing rooms are no longer accessible to all women and the centre may have a problem under the Equality Act. Ask the centre. A sign isn't exactly asking for the moon.

erinaceus · 22/01/2022 08:45

In the UK this is normal, but there is usually a sign up to inform you, and as other posters say the opposite sex cleaner will knock and holler loudly to make you aware.

It doesn't bother me. You could have a word with the management of the gym, but I'm not sure this will change the situation much.

Original poster
Globaluser · 22/01/2022 08:50

No I won’t be having a word. Honestly I don’t mind showering at home. I just wanted to know if it’s normal.
Only reason really I wanted to know if women would mind or not was because I’ve seen a lot of posts here about mixed sex toilets and how majority of the women on here feel uncomfortable with that idea. That’s all.

OP posts:
AnotherCupOfTeaDear · 22/01/2022 08:52

Why the FFS @Fandangoclem? Do you just stand there and drip dry?
How odd
At my gym they shout if it's OK to come in and ask someone to check OP

PrivateHall · 22/01/2022 08:54

Hmm I don't think that is comparable OP. I have went to the gym for years but not once showered there, it is optional. Whereas everyone needs to use a toilet at some point in their working day. I don't think that is comparable at all.

Original poster
Globaluser · 22/01/2022 08:55

That’s true @PrivateHall I agree with you completely.

OP posts:
Shiningpath · 22/01/2022 08:55

So if you were in a towel he didn’t see you naked then?

Shower at home if you want but having an opposite sex cleaner for toilets and changing rooms is in no way unusual.

sillysmiles · 22/01/2022 09:00

@Globaluser

No I won’t be having a word. Honestly I don’t mind showering at home. I just wanted to know if it’s normal. Only reason really I wanted to know if women would mind or not was because I’ve seen a lot of posts here about mixed sex toilets and how majority of the women on here feel uncomfortable with that idea. That’s all.
Honestly, i think you should mention it. Yes i think it's normal enough to have male cleaner in bathrooms, though changing rooms in a gym- I'm not so sure. But he should definitely have announced himself and have had a sign on the door.

It's no harm saying it to the manager/reception desk that you assume he did announce himself but you couldn't hear him in the showers and could he be conscious of that. Surely he could hear the showers running so knew someone was in there.

Ovenaffray · 22/01/2022 09:03

If you were in a towel he didn’t see you naked?

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