Jun. 23, 2008 - Fitting Room Phobia
Feeling the need for some groovy new summer duds, I decided to go out and pick out a few new tops. I was on a mission though as I wanted something special to match hubby. Yeah, I know...we are one of those creepy couples that actually LIKE to dress alike...or at least in colors/shirts that are complementary.
We were that couple in college that had matching shirts and wore the same colors...all. the. time. LOL A few babies later and my clothes don't really fit and well, my fashion tastes (and his) have changed somewhat. But, occasionally we still like to indulge in that fun fashion statement that says, very definitively, we are a couple...of fashionistas.
So, back to my mission. I have heard so many great things about TARGET and their flair for fashion. And lucky for us, we just got a bright shiny new Target here in our little corner of the world. So with no children in tow, I headed off to find just the right top to match my man...at Target.
I have to say, I was a little disappointed in my choices, maybe because we are a small town, maybe because everyone else in town had the same idea and they were cleaned out. Never-the-less, I was on a QUEST. I needed to find a shirt. It was for a date night...and we don't get to many of those. Time was short, so I found a couple shirts and headed to the fitting room.
Checked in at the desk, got my little tag and headed around the corner. Safe in my little mirrored room, I started changing. I am used to overhearing conversations in the fitting room. You know, us gals like to do things like use the potty and shop in pairs. But when I am stripped down to my skivvies, the voices I hear in the room next to mine should definitely be of the female persuasion!!
Immediately, I rewind to the signage in my mind...did I go the wrong way? Am I on the wrong side? Did she point me in the wrong direction? Is that a man's voice?! I am not a quick dresser, more of a prissy preener, but I set a world record in those moments. I would have made my mother proud. How many mornings did she complain about my lack of speed? But I digress...
I whipped open the flimsy fitting room door to see the backside of a male form leaving the fitting area. Now I don't know about you, but that is NOT what I want to see when I am trying on clothes. I hurried out behind him, anxious to ask the woman at the desk which one of us was in the wrong area.
Her answer, "This is a uni-sex fitting room. Anyone can try things on back there."
We've come a long way, baby. I gave her back my selections and left in a daze. While I can state with some certainly that I will not be purchasing (or at least trying on) clothes there, I have to wonder is this the direction all places are headed? What would make them choose to go this route. Are there that many folks confused about their gender that we need to make it easy for them and hard on the rest of us? Or am I just a prude? Would it have shaken YOU up to hear a man on the other side of your wall?
Anyone...
Comments
Jun. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by quietcajun
OH, I would NOt be happy about that.
Even more so, I would not send my teenage daughter in there!!!!! This is actually a warning to me not to send her to fitting rooms from now on without checking what is actually available!!!
Jun. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Oh my heavens...I would have reacted the same way you did, and excellent point about not sending my daughter in a dressing room until I know if it is unisex! I have taken my small children in a 'Family Restroom' but only because it was double-stroller excessible. That's my only experience with a unisex situation. I Do Not like the idea at all!
Gina D.
Kentucky
Jun. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Mrs
Heck NO I will not change in a unisex dressing room, nor will my daughters! What are they thinking???
Jun. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HSmom0f4
Great point about our daughters...
And to answer your question MRS, I believe they are NOT thinking...or thinking of the genuinely gender confused. At least they won't have any problems finding a fitting area.
Jun. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
WHAT are they crazy? Never Ever!
Kelsey
mysweetlife.org
Jun. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
It would definitely freak me out to find a man in the room next to me. This happened to me in a public bathroom recently. I started to go in as two teenage guys came out of the stalls. I backed up and looked to make sure I was in the women's restroom. I was, so I guess they were lost.
Pam
Jun. 30, 2008 - Out of necessity
Posted by gabalot
Who has time to go shopping for clothes anyways. I buy clothes at Target because I am already there. I have to tell you, I usually don't try on the clothes in store. I have to think that we are just blurring the lines over gender.
Hey, you are beautiful just the way you are. Wear those sweats with pride.
Jennifer
Jul. 25, 2008 - Insane
Posted by Dianne - Bunny Trails
Well to add to the insanity, the good old governor of Colorado has made it legal for anyone to use whichever facility they want, depending upon what they feel is appropriate.
I do my best to use restrooms that are single-user facilities. The idea of walking out of a restroom stall with a man in there (or a fitting room) is just a bit disturbing.
So far, I haven't heard of anyone running into problems since it passed, but I'm still furious that this was signed into law. Interestingly enough, it's supposedly because he's in the pockets of the millionaire gay & lesbian folks here. Not only that, he passed it in a way that it can't be repealed. ARGH!
