Well, I suppose it works the other way ‘round too, i.e., woman chooses to use the guy’s restroom. But I’ve been wondering about this from a guy’s perspective, so that’s how I’m asking it. I (and I would guess a lot of guys) just “know” that the ladies’ restroom is off limits, as is the ladies’ lockeroom. But is there a crime involved if I go in there and use the facilities? Would it be trespassing? Indecent exposure?
I would imagine such laws would vary around the world, so let me say that I’m asking as someone living in the U.S.
No crime involved. Building owner or occupant usually sets rules for bathroom use. You are liable to get tossed from the premises if you make a habit of it and/or people complain.
Heh. I’ve never done anything like it, or even been tempted. But it’s one of those weird things I sometimes think about. No one need fear stats the stalker
Basically, it is a matter of convention, as long as you don’t do anything that may be an actual crime (and a male going into a female changing room/locker room would get him charged with something, probably under voyeurism laws). If a room is labelled as being for a specific gender, then those of that gender have a reasonable expectation of privacy within, and will behave in line with that expectation - breaching that expectation of privacy will fall within the realm of a criminal offence.
On the other side of the gender divide…
French women have no compunction about barging into the mens room to use the cubicles, giving no consideration to the shy men using the urinals. :eek:
English women are slightly more circumspect, ensuring that the mens is empty before taking possession, and barricading the door to ensure feminine privacy. :rolleyes:
I seem to remember a case where two women were arrested and charged (don’t remember what specific crime) when they used the men’s room at a sports event. Fortunately they managed to convince the judge that they did it due to urgency (the line for the women’s room was really long) and not purient interest or whatever. This was in the US, although I don’t remember where, and sometime in the last ten or so years. My google fu is weak on this one, so I can’t come up with a cite.
The female in the men’s room is not uncommon. Often both restrooms are the same size. Yet the men’s room has urinals, which don’t take up as much space. And women often stay in the bathroom since they have other things to do in there (I’m talking makeup and stuff.) Put this together, and, when there’s a large group of people, the line to the women’s room will still be quite long while the men’s room is completely empty.
Wow! What sporting event were they at!? I’ve been to parties, pubs, cruises, etc. where the women use the toilets in the Men’s room but at sporting events I’ve actually seen the opposite.
Ha, ha. I’m sure male security guards have permission to go into the women’s room.
I used the women’s room at the library a couple of weeks ago and realized the stall beside me had a guy in it. I finished before him and when he walked out and saw me (I’m a middle aged white women, he was a young black guy), he said in total surprise “Is this the ladies’ room?” I calmly walked to the door, opened it and made a big deal about checking the outside sign. He apologized.
In small restaurants where there is only room for one in a bathroom and there is a lock, I’ll knock to make sure and then use the women’s room if it is empty when the men’s room is locked. I wouldn’t do this if it were occupied or unlockable in any way.
Transsexual/transgendered people are sometimes arrested for using the “wrong” restroom. Usually, the official charge is Disturbing the Peace or something along those lines.
