AIBU Changing rooms

[LittleMsNobody]

AIBU to think that changing cubicles should be first come first served?

There seems to be a growing number of inconsiderate and entitled individuals at our local leisure centre who think the changing room rules don’t apply to them when there are swimming lessons on. From wearing outside, even muddy shoes into the charging areas despite numerous signs to remove outdoor footwear to plonking belongings into cubicles to “reserve” them before they’re actually needed.

For context, I’ve been taking my children to lessons at a few different swimming schools consistently over the last 10 years and I’ve never experienced the sort of entitlement I’ve seen at the new pool.

We’ve recently moved long distance and the “locals” all seem friendly, helpful and welcoming…until you get to the leisure centre. There are usually 4-5 different lessons swimming at the same time and there aren’t enough changing cubicles for everyone coming out of lessons to change at the same time. But this isn’t necessarily a problem because there are 10 changing cubicles and only 6 showers. So usually while the second lot finish showering and need to change the first lot are getting done and there’s generally not much more than a minute or two to wait for a cubicle. swimmers are ages 3-12 years old at the times we attend. However, there are a number of parents who put their kids bags in the cubicles BEFORE getting their kids from the instructor and showered. It doesn’t matter whether there little darlings are first out or last out, they “reserve” cubicles regardless of whether anyone else is already ready to change and needs one or not. I find this extremely rude, inconsiderate and entitled. I’m so fed up of it. I just can’t understand the mentality. What would you do?

I don’t know that there’s anything you can do in this situation, it sounds rubbish but people will be rubbish! Struggling to offer any advice

How old is your DC? Is there no bench area you can use?

Take their stuff out and use the cubicle

This is exactly what our leisure centre swimming lessons are like!
Once the swimming manager came over to us sitting down watching to say our things would be moved if they were in the changing rooms (then she saw the kids swim bags and we said we were glad they were getting on top of the changing room issues!) but then it was no different the rest of the time.

Could you ask the staff to move things? Otherwise move them yourself?

It is infuriating though.

Put their stuff outside the cubicle then.

This is so inconsiderate of them. It’s not new. It happened when my kids were having swimming lessons 10 years ago. I found a new pool.

Youngest DC is 4. There are no benches other than those the the cubicles. Some people resort to using the chest high ledge/shelf by the hair dryers, but unfortunately due to physical limitations I’m unable to lift DC at all. I can support them getting on a bench, but no way to get them up on anything higher. So without a cubicle I’d have to get down on my knees on the wet, dirty floor to get them changed

The parents reserving them are so rude and confrontational if anyone dares infringe on their entitlement

If their stuff is in there is doesn't stop me using them why would it? If I have to move it i do

I’m really considering it. I’m physically quite unwell and mentally at rock bottom already, so having to deal with the added stress around swimming is just becoming unbearable

There is a changing room with no people in it so use it, why are you deliberately making things more difficult than you have too

Could you just use the cubicle with the things in it?

"Oh, I thought someone forgot it here."

I went swimming Thursday and there were 3 lads playing Roblox in a cubicle. I just don't get modern life any more.

To be honest, if there are no other benches I can see why people put the bag in the cubicle on the bench in there. Otherwise there’s nowhere dry to put the child’s clothes while they shower them. I totally get why it’s annoying though, it just doesn’t sound like a great set up.

When DD did swimming lessons it was like this, the first few times I asked the swim teacher if she was able to do anything and I waited (impatiently) for a cubicle to come free. Once I knew everyone had been clearly told on several occasions that they shouldn’t reserve the cubicles I started just moving stuff to an empty locker and telling the teacher where it was in case anyone asked.

That’s not on.
Dh and I often go away to a regular place and use a leisure centre whilst there. There are plenty of lockers in which to put your clothes etc. yet there are always clothes left in Changing cubicles. There are not many changing cubicles either. I just don’t understand why anyone does this.

Politely complain to the manager and ask that the changing area is monitored by staff during lesson time. Maybe also mention safeguarding the kids as some children are being forced to get changed in the communal area at the hairdryers due to all changing rooms being used as a bag store.

Used to happen in our pool, us adults coming in for a fitness class couldn't get changed as literally every cubicle was being blocked by the kids who were in for swimming lessons before us. We complained, a few posters went up and a member of staff had to hang around the changing rooms to explain it to the parents who couldn't read...

Use the cubicle with their stuff in. Shove it to the side and then use as normal

Yeah just use it. Let them knock on the door and tell you there stuff is in it. Then i’d politely say that your kids were soaking wet and needed drying so can’t sit there shivering when a cubicle is not being used. Also i’d ask the leisure centre to send out an email to parents asking them not to reserve cubicles before their children are showered. Some people are so self centred.

This. It's beyond selfish to do this at busy times.
Also tell the staff what's happening - our pool puts signs up and some lifeguards do ask folk to move their belongings. Of course, the sign says to put stuff in lockers, and some idiots people seem to call the changing cubicles lockers. 🫣

Definitely try a different pool if you can, but maybe don't switch until you know if it's better.

Also you could send a polite, general complaint to the pool.

I find this extremely rude, inconsiderate and entitled. I’m so fed up of it. I just can’t understand the mentality. What would you do? It helps to be realistic about people. Some people are rude, some are just oblivious. It has never really been any different. I personally do understand the mentality even though I disagree with it. Acceptance of reality helps reduce stress on you as an observer.

Something you could do when you see bad behaviour is take pride that you are polite and considerate and are trying to raise your own kids the right way.

Ask to use the disabled facilities? X

This happens at our leisure centre. On one particular occasion, someone had 'reserved' the only family cubicle in the whole place. In frustration, I pushed all of his stuff to one side and went it with my own children. Five minutes later a man was banging on the door telling me to get out and that he'd only left the changing room for 30 seconds. I opened the door and politely told him where to go, shut the door again and carried getting my children ready, while listening to his abuse through the door!

There are plenty of lockers so things can be kept dry and wouldn’t need to be left on the floor for any reason

Take them out whilst the parents are getting the kids from the pool. If you were being nice you could leave them somewhere visible or you could put them in a handy empty locker.
Then stand back and watch whilst they look for their stuff.
I’m only suggesting this because they sound like horrible aggressive people.
I think you should speak to management about it.