To dislike male cleaners in female public toilets?

[GarliceGran]

I travel a lot with work, mostly via train. For some bizarre reason, a huge amount of train stations have male cleaners for the female toilets. Worse yet, these men are often doing non-urgent cleaning, such as washing mirrors etc.

This makes me very uncomfortable. If I’m not desperate, I’ll often just walk out.

AIBU?

It’s fine, as others have said. It’s better when they have a - what’s the name for the yellow plastic things they stand up? - warning that there’s male staff present when they’re actually there rather than one just stuck somewhere on the wall saying that male or female cleaners might be present.
same obviously goes for plumbers and other male workmen.

Well…you’re not being unreasonable to personally dislike something and act accordingly, which is what your question was. That’s entirely your choice.
you're BU to think it’s bizarre for train stations etc to have a male cleaner.

I used to clean train station toilets (female) all co workers were male they hated cleaning the female toilets because of so many women moaning about it but they have to do it, they put signs up etc to say male cleaner. In the 5 years I was there only one man moaned at me cleaning the mens.

Maybe total segregation of the sexes would work for you? Chaperones? Burkas?

The answers here are so interesting compared with the many responses I've seen on Mumsnet previously around protecting 'female-only spaces' for the protection of women.

I’ve done jobs where I’ve had to clean public toilets and I absolutely hated cleaning the men’s toilets, mainly because I didn’t trust the idea that shouting out…. Is anyone in here, I’m coming in to clean.
The reason I didn’t trust this is because I’ve been flashed at four times from probably age 16- now. (43)
I don’t think male cleaners have this worry.

I don’t care who cleans the loo so long as someone does.

Same. Plus the men’s loos stink but you want to do them as quickly as possible before a man comes in and starts waving his penis about

Doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

You can still reply to those who have taken the time to respond OP, even if we don’t agree

The complete and utter misandry that some women feel is disgraceful.

Men cleaning women’s toilets?! How very DARE they?! Get a grip OP. This is a you problem.

Usually I'm okay with it, and there's almost always a sign up. I don't like the way that some people just put up a sign saying there may be a mail cleaner, as if it's just a cover their butts, rather than a specific warning when that cleaner is around.

I did feel very uncomfortable a few weeks ago though when I used a public toilet that's a bit out in the sticks. Women's toilet has two cubicles, men's toilet is next door, and it's a detached building. Ie no one could hear you scream...

In comes a bloke still wearing his biker clothing and starts to clean. Doesn't say a word. Thankfully no helmet on, but it took a few moments for me to realise he was the cleaner. That made me feel very vulnerable. At the same time, it would be silly to employ 2 people, but he should have knocked and announced who he was, told me he was the cleaner etc, put up a sign.

I'm just happy if the toilet is clean I don't care who's doing it

Without meaning to be whataboutery over it, this is kind of the problem I have with the absolutist approach of "no males in female spaces ever", because there are often occasions where a male might be in the female loo for a perfectly fine reason. Mothers with young sons, male cleaners. Male staff doing checks or opening and closing up. Male plumbers and maintenance staff. Male doctors or paramedics if someone is ill. Not to mention what happens if the mens loos is out of order and everyone has to use the ladies.

I don't think the idea of a utopian space which is completely free of men is helpful or realistic when making this argument. The reality is that most "single sex" loos are already fairly blurry.

But in most of those discussions, the majority understand that men with a legitimate reason for being in a female space are fine. Male cleaners, plumbers, HCPs unless a woman has requested female care.

I dislike male cleaners in women’s toilets but I dislike dirty toilets more.

My workplace has male cleaners because there simply aren’t enough women working at the company they contract to.

That said during the day they have enough female cleaners. It’s the heavy duty after hours clean that is typically a man (and they announce their presence before entering but hardly any women around by then.

You are being ridiculously unreasonable. WTF are you worried about???

There's plenty of women who clean men's toilets.

If there are men willing to take on low-paid menial cleaning jobs historically done by women, good on them. Nothing wrong with that.

It’s not misandry.

Truly a national crisis. I’m sure those men are only there to personally inconvenience you and your delicate mirror inspecting needs.
Come on, OP. What is the alternative? To not to clean the toilets ? That would be disgusting.
Give your head a wobble, lovely.

There are often male cleaners in the female toilets at the stations I use. There’s always a sign up, so presumably you could opt out and go elsewhere/wait if you wanted, but it’s not something that bothers me at all.

Just don't care. As long as they aren't climbing up and looking over the door at my rear end who cares that a person with a penis can hear me wee?

Do you think they are getting off on it or...? I just don't get the problem.

I won’t use the loo if there’s a male cleaner in there, especially if there are no other women present. That’s because of long-standing sexual trauma, and because I consider it basic self-care not to put myself in vulnerable situations unnecessarily. Once you’ve had multiple experiences with violent, opportunistic male predators, it changes your perception of risk somewhat. But it’s nice to get my daily reminder that MN thinks my trauma is pathetic, hyperbolic and girly 🤣

That’s entirely understandable, I would think, by anyone with a shred of empathy.
its why they should always put up a warning when a man is actually working there not just one of those signs that’s always there which says there might sometimes be a male cleaner.

Agree. I'm glad someone is cleaning public toilets; they have my respect because I'm honestly not sure I could do it.