Barefoot Joe wrote:The employees restroom? A stockroom?
I find that even more humiliating than being plainly said that I can't use the fitting rooms because company police says so.
"Yes, try and buy our stuff, but keep away from our real customers!"
Well.... yeah I have to admit, a part of me feels that way. There is a mentality in the U.S. that all men are rapist, wife beaters, peeping Tom's, etc. Now of course, the fact is saying all men are these things is about as fair as saying all women are misandrist. However at the end of the day, I just don't have the clout to challenge such a notion. A man wearing a skirt is taboo enough around here. That already sends a signal to the public that I'm trying to molest a child. Then add the fact that I'm in a women's only clothing store, in a deeply conservative southern town, NOW I have the
audacity to use a fitting room meant for princesses.... well.... like I said, I just don't have the clout. I'm but one man living in a society of rapist, child molesting men, and women who do no wrong.
Barefoot Joe wrote:I think my initial response would have been: "Well, it's OK if i can't use the fitting rooms. I'll try them on right here in the aisle..."
An interesting idea, and actually maybe workable if one were to enter the store in leggings. It would be easy enough to just slip a skirt on over them, however let me tell you how that would ACTUALLY go down in the good old Confederate States of America.
If a woman were to try that in a mens only clothing store, she could pitch a fit, scream and hollar. The sidewalks would line up with other women protesting the clear sexism the mens store is demonstrating. The CEO of the store would intervene, apologize to the woman, and hence forth, all of the stores in the chain would have women's fitting rooms fit for a queen! A monetary settlement would be awarded for "pain and suffering". Tears would flow on Oprah, Dr. Phill, Ellen, etc. on this very traumatic experience. The newspaper would read
LOCAL WOMAN IS A HERO FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS! With an appropriate article to follow.
If I were to do that CALMLY.... IN LEGGINGS. The police would be called. I would be quietly escorted out of the store in handcuffs. Any onlookers that have gathered to this point would surly be shouting out homophobic obscenities, I would be told I'm going to burn in hell. I would be arrested, and a jury would convict me on what ever charge was cooked up. The newspaper would read "
CROSSDRESSING MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES" -
Abingdon VA: A local man is being held without bond on multiple charges, among them indecent exposure, inciting a riot, disturbing the peace, and other charges to follow. Witnesses say the crossdressing man entered a local CATO clothing store with the intent of gaining entrance into a woman's only fitting room in plain view of children. When the store refused the accused clear attempt to gain access to strict areas of women's privacy, he proceeded to change into the skirt in the store. Police showed up and arrested the man. Other patrons of the store are seeking justice, and are expected to bring a civil suit on the man for pain and suffering on account of the spectacle they witnessed. In response to this, several state and local lawmakers are drafting legislation that would make it a crime for men to be seen in public places wearing clothes not designed for their own gender.
Yep.... justice for all. This is why, I think I'm just going to let it go. I have made my grievance to the company, they probably don't care. But I will be happy to quietly spend my hard earned dollar in more accommodating stores. Someday the tide may turn, but I don't expect that any time soon.
Caultron wrote:It the women's dressing rooms open directly to the sales area, I see no reason that access should be limited.
I'm with you on that. I'm not really sure. I never got to actually see the rooms. If it were the other type of rooms (smaller stalls in a communal room) then I would have gladly used the restroom with their approval. Most buildings that I am aware of, if they only have one restroom, it's normally designed to be unisex. After all, some company employees, corporate people, etc may be male, and may visit stores in the field from time to time, they would need a place to pee too.
Well, like I said, I don't think I'm going to push it further than this. I've slept it off. I will admit, I felt like trash yesterday. Just "not right" for the remainder of the day. But today is a new day. I will bury this experience, and I'm glad I could make use of this site to bring awareness to this issue.