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 doesn't bother me, they're just doing a job.

If anything it makes me feel safer if there are staff about than if I'm all on my own. Train and bus stations can be dodgy places. The more staff, the better!

If its a busy loo with lots of people coming in and out I'm not too bothered but I once sat in the cubicle in Peter Jones for 20min until the male cleaner left as it was just me and him in the isolated womens loos and I didn't want to be alone with a man I didn't know on my own. So I kept a locked door between me and him. If I had heard other womens voices I would have left the cubicle, but I didn't. There UANBU

The alternative is worse. I was desperate to go to the loo the other day, and when I finally got there (a normal multi cubicle facility) it was closed for cleaning. Presumably because a man was doing the cleaning, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be.

As long as there's a sign warning those who have reason not to feel comfortable with it, I have no problem with a man being in there to clean. It's certainly preferable to wetting myself.

I don't like male cleaners in the female toilets, but I assume the alternative would be that the toilets closed completely for cleaning.

On balance I'm happy to use as long as I'm warned about their presence.

You get signs up in the gents that there's female cleaners on duty too

It's a shit job but I'm pleased someone is doing it

I don't like it either OP and I have a shy bladder. If I think there is a man in the toilet I can't pee.

I don't mind men cleaning the toilet, but I don't use the facilities while they are in there if I can help it.

They don't necessarily agree with you. They just don't think it unreasonable to think what you think. The world's full of reasonable people we disagree with.

In an ideal world it would be men/women cleaners in men/women's toilets but if that's not possible it's better that the loos are cleaned.

There is a sign warning you, plus they usually have the door propped open. At least these men have a legitimate reason for being there.

I've never had a problem.

It doesn't particularly bother me OP, but I do understand. Are women ever entirely safe with men? No, they aren't. So for that reason you are not being unreasonable. However, if I was breaking my neck for a pee I'd just get on with it. I might think differently if the toilet in question was in a particularly isolated place though. As for "unncessary cleaning". I think you're being unreasonable there. The cleaners' supervisor will expect them to look busy throughout their shift and they could be in trouble if they're perceived to be slacking.

I like clean toilets and I'm grateful that someone is prepared to do the unpleasant jobs.

I couldn’t care less who is doing the cleaning, I’m just happy that someone is and therefore I can use clean toilets. My bladder and bowels don’t care either.

It does feel weird to walk into the women's toilets and see a man, and yes, slightly uncomfortable, but more from an instinctive feeling that 'you don't belong here' than any rational or conscious concern about it.
The exception being if its secluded and I'm the only person in there. In this case I'd probably leave. The assault of a woman at my station by a man who had put on a high viz vest and knelt down pretending to do something to the sink tends to come to mind.

This really.

They can’t really be expected to hire a separate cleaner for each loo, and never had one to cover the other’s shifts.

I don't like it. Not to the point of being distressed, but I really don't like it. The women's toilets are often a space I use to take a breather, to be away from the "male gaze", to touch up my make-up in the mirrors, to adjust my clothes or even my bra strap in the mirrors. The whole "vibe" and comfort of the women's toilets changes if a man is in there, for any reason.

I've had women ask me if they look ok, had little chats by the mirrors, even a spot of dancing with other women in club toilets that play music. I can't see any of that happening if a man were present.

Ideally, any male cleaner should be doing the job before or after business hours. When I was a pub cleaner, I used to clean, including both toilets, before we opened.

To be honest I don’t really think any toilets should have an outer door.

Either sinks in the cubicles, or just take the door of as who cares if people can see you washing your hands.

The fact there’s an outer door does give opportunities for a nutter to walk in to a secluded space, I always think.

it is not remotely the same thing.
If there is a sign - you can choose not to go in.

I wouldn't feel unsafe but I'd feel undignified if a man can hear me pee

Surely you can see the difference between a male employee doing his job and any random man off the street who fancies going into the ladies?

I don’t care….

You sound lovely.

doesnt bother me in the slightest...maybe purchase a laser key and use the disabled if youre that anxious...

It's called an A frame hazard/safety sign @ErrolTheDragon .

His "non-urgent" mirror cleaning I most likely the last bit of his cleaning routine OP - having done the toilets, sinks before you arrived.

Why does it matter?

I've never liked it. Personally I think they should make an effort to assign female cleaners to the female toilets and male cleaners to the male toilets. I understand it's not always possible but I always feel very uncomfortable if there's a man knocking around in there.

Presumably you don't agree with women cleaning mens toilets then