# Question for women who use locker rooms **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 11, 2013, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039 "2013-12-11T02:04:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/41 "2013-12-11T23:13:14Z")
One thing I’ll say about the locker rooms at the gym - they have signs on the doors saying no kids over age 5 in the opposite sex’s facilities. Altho when I go, I’ve never seen any kids. I’m guessing it applies to weekend free swim hours. And for the record, I don’t police what people do in the stalls, but when I see a gym bag on the floor of the handicap stall, a towel on the floor, and the distinctive dance of stepping into underpants, it’s pretty obvious what’s going on. I’ve been lucky in that I’m never in there when the swim team is changing - I expect they’d fill all 8 stalls. I will say that I noticed more older women walking around in towels after their swim - they don’t seem so concerned with hiding away. And I can understand it - I’m nearly 60 and my self-esteem isn’t going to be crushed if someone finds my stretch marks offensive. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/42 "2013-12-12T02:52:01Z")
I’ll change in the open, but I’ll turn to face the lockers when I do so. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/43 "2013-12-12T07:06:46Z")
Female, age 29. I always thought it was the done thing to just strip in the women’s locker room and change in front of everyone. When I worked at a summer camp in Los Angeles for a summer, the camp staff had separate locker rooms (men’s and women’s) from the kids, and I’d get undressed, neatly stack my clothes on the bench, and then walk into the showers, instead of taking my dry clothes into the shower stall and then trying to miserably put on soggy clothes in the stall while balancing on one foot like the other girl counselors did. After a few weeks, one of my co-workers pulled me aside and said, “Look, I just think you should know that the other girls talk behind your back about you getting naked in the locker room.” I was like WHUT 😕 I was confused as to why this was even a thing, like, why do they even care. We’re all girls and have more or less the same bits. We’re all adults, I’m not changing in front of the kids or anything. Well, my response was that I’m very proud of my body and there’s no rule that says I can’t get undressed in that locker room. So they had to put up with seeing me triumphantly strip off my clothes and strut my way in and out of that shower for a few more weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/44 "2013-12-12T10:09:05Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I wonder if it has something to do with the prevalence of cameras and how easily concealed they can be, and how their images can be readily and instantly distributed through the internet where they will live on forever. > > Taking that into consideration, it doesn’t seem so crazy to seek out as much privacy as possible. Nah. My school classes would change in stalls; one of the things I like about my current gym is that it’s from a chain which originated in either the Netherlands or Germany (too lazy to look it up) and the only “stalls” available are the wide-open showers. Women just do their business as fast and discreetely as possible, period. I’m 100% sure that there was no such thing as cellphones when I was in school. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/45 "2013-12-12T10:39:15Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > The sign on the door of the sauna specifically says a towel or trunks are _required_. I can only say: What kind of rubbish is that? I belong to [this disorganisation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers) (the Hash House Harriers) and, at least in my part of the World, the standard thing when taking a sauna is that everybody - men, women, grownups and children - use the same locker and bathe together and wearing something is almost unheard of. I remember when a guesting Californian had wrapped a towel around him but he and it were very soon forcibly separated. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/46 "2013-12-12T12:41:54Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Because from birth we are bombarded with messages about the ideal body, and are completely paranoid that we are too fat/too thin/wrong shape/small tits/big arse, you name it. Men have no idea of the anxiety women feel about their bodies thanks to centuries of the world thinking a woman’s only worth is her beauty. You think men have no idea about societal anxiety? I’d say that’s so cute, but you’d probably think it was patronizing. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/47 "2013-12-12T13:58:33Z")
I had no idea that changing in the stalls bothered other women so much. I never change out in the open, and it’s not because I fear being photographed or I’m ashamed of my body because of media’s unrealistic portrayal of women or what have you. I just like to be alone when I change and don’t feel like flapping my boobs all over the place for the whole locker room to see. Why is that so odd? If the gym doesn’t have a place to change privately, I’m going to use the toilet stalls. That’s ridiculous to say that I need to find a new gym with changing rooms because I’m hogging the bathroom. That’s fine if you like changing out in the open, but it’s none of your business if someone else isn’t comfortable with it. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/48 "2013-12-12T14:00:27Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t see women strutting around topless. Those of us who don’t care about being seen naked are modest about it. once I’m shirtless the first step is to put a shirt on. > > Teenage girls and preteen girls want to change in the shower or toilet stalls. Totally annoying for those of us who want to take a shower or pee. > > I went to the gym a few times with a friend who has a rockin body (I have the opposite of that) and she changed in a stall. I was very surprised. What did she have to hide? > > Just goes to show that women of all shapes and sizes are ashamed of their bodies. And some lots of women that people think should be… Aren’t. Modesty does not equal shame. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/49 "2013-12-12T15:12:33Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > If the gym doesn’t have a place to change privately, I’m going to use the toilet stalls. That’s ridiculous to say that I need to find a new gym with changing rooms because I’m hogging the bathroom. That’s fine if you like changing out in the open, but it’s none of your business if someone else isn’t comfortable with it. If someone has to whiz and you’re in the bathroom stall not whizzing, it instantly becomes their business. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/50 "2013-12-12T15:22:34Z")
I don’t walk around nekkid, but I do stand in front of my locker and get undressed/dressed. I wear a towel to and from the shower. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/51 "2013-12-12T15:33:17Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > If someone has to whiz and you’re in the bathroom stall not whizzing, it instantly becomes their business. It takes me about 45 seconds to change. If somebody can’t hold it that long, that’s not my problem. Anyone who isn’t comfortable being naked in front of strangers (which, before I read this thread, I assumed was most people) shouldn’t be forced to flash everyone in the room just because some nosy woman with a teacup bladder wants everyone to change out in the open. I really thought that changing in public was a pretty literal realization of that dream that many people have about being naked in school. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/52 "2013-12-12T15:43:02Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > Anyone who isn’t comfortable being naked in front of strangers (which, before I read this thread, I assumed was most people) shouldn’t be forced to flash everyone in the room just because some nosy woman with a teacup bladder wants everyone to change out in the open. > > I really thought that changing in public was a pretty literal realization of that dream that many people have about being naked in school. Honestly, I think if you can’t handle a regular locker room, you probably shouldn’t go to one. Old men and their freewheeling nakedness is weird. But quick-changing out in the room shouldn’t make anyone uncomfortable past the age of 15. ---
**Author:** ![jrsone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/53 "2013-12-12T15:48:57Z")
I’m a guy and I hated the locker rooms in high school. I would get dressed/undressed so fast from gym. I’ve always had self-esteem/body issues, still due to this day. I imagine it’s even worse as a woman as the pressure is 100x more on you than it is on a man. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/54 "2013-12-12T18:50:46Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Honestly, I think if you can’t handle a regular locker room, you probably shouldn’t go to one. Old men and their freewheeling nakedness is weird. But quick-changing out in the room shouldn’t make anyone uncomfortable past the age of 15. Do you really think any woman needs to stop going to a gym just because she prefers to change in a stall? It’s not that I “can’t handle” it, I just prefer privacy and don’t really care if someone who has to pee has to wait 45 seconds because the stall is occupied. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/55 "2013-12-12T19:06:49Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > It takes me about 45 seconds to change. If somebody can’t hold it that long, that’s not my problem. Damn, that’s fast. I don’t think my wife can put a bra on in 45 seconds, let alone do the rest of a clothes change. > [@](#): > > Anyone who isn’t comfortable being naked in front of strangers (which, before I read this thread, I assumed was most people) shouldn’t be forced to flash everyone in the room just because some nosy woman with a teacup bladder wants everyone to change out in the open. There’s varying levels of discomfort. Speaking from the guy side of things, I’m not _comfortable_ with changing around other guys in a locker room, but the discomfort is hardly so acute that I have to seek out a private place to change. > [@](#): > > I really thought that changing in public was a pretty literal realization of that dream that many people have about being naked in school. YMMV (and apparently does), but I think most people would consider “naked in public” and “being briefly naked while changing clothes in a locker room where other people of the same sex are also being briefly naked while changing” to be two very different things. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/56 "2013-12-12T19:09:48Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > I just prefer privacy and don’t really care if someone who has to pee has to wait 45 seconds because the stall is occupied. And of course, that’s 45 seconds (if we believe you) plus a few minutes for the next person who changes in the stalls, plus a couple minutes for the person after that… ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/57 "2013-12-12T19:30:09Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > Do you really think any woman needs to stop going to a gym just because she prefers to change in a stall? It’s not that I “can’t handle” it, I just prefer privacy and don’t really care if someone who has to pee has to wait 45 seconds because the stall is occupied. Yes. If you are so social-phobic that you have to change in a stall away from the rest of the people, you either need to a) change at home or b) stay home. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/58 "2013-12-12T19:32:16Z")
Modern women could be more spiritual than women in the old days, but that’s hard to believe. You would think women that had never been naked with other women would be more spiritual. Naked in the spirit world is a scary thing. They are afraid of something jumping them that ain’t really there. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/59 "2013-12-12T22:09:10Z")
I’m comfortable with changing outer clothes in the public area, but I’m still shy about underwear. It took me a long time to get comfortable with the outer clothes too. Not gonna lie, I was the uncoordinated fat chick who hated gym class and was always picked last so I shied away from changing around the popular, athletic girls. As for the underwear, I came from a family where no one walked around in their underwear, whether or not changed in front of others. I know it’s an illogical reaction, but it feels weird to be naked around anyone other than a doctor and whoever you’re sleeping with. I’m sure when my parents get old and I have to wipe their asses I’ll feel different. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039/60 "2013-12-12T22:47:34Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > YMMV (and apparently does), but I think most people would consider “naked in public” and “being briefly naked while changing clothes in a locker room where other people of the same sex are also being briefly naked while changing” to be two very different things. Some sort of continuum from “flashing a little boob when breastfeeding” to “strutting around on a nude beach” With “doing your makeup starkers while rubbing your pubes on the counter in the locker room” being somewhere beyond both what I’m comfortable doing or seeing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039.md?page=4)