Crossdressing and the Fitting Room?

[Nicole Lee]

I was just curious to find out what everyone thought here. I went into Macy*s today to try on some girls jeans and read the signs they had in their fitting room. It said, "Fitting rooms are monitored by same-sex personnel." I was just thinking, how does that make you feel, that someone is watching you change into your pantyhose or short mini skirts? It can't be against the law, if they have that sign there, as you show your consent by acknowledging the sign and changing clothes anyway.

I was just curious. Definitely put me into a scare of when I try on clothes, especially since everytime I try on clothes, I'm in guy mode.

[JoAnnDallas]

Well, I guess who ever was watching me the other day, noticed how pretty my PINK panties were, when I was trying on some male slacks.

[Charolette time]

I was just curious to find out what everyone thought here. I went into Macy*s today to try on some girls jeans and read the signs they had in their fitting room. It said, "Fitting rooms are monitored by same-sex personnel." I was just thinking, how does that make you feel, that someone is watching you change into your pantyhose or short mini skirts? It can't be against the law, if they have that sign there, as you show your consent by acknowledging the sign and changing clothes anyway.

I was just curious. Definitely put me into a scare of when I try on clothes, especially since everytime I try on clothes, I'm in guy mode.

I think that the sign meant that a sales ladie was at the station to assist opening the locked door and checking the amount you are taking in to try on, I believe it is against the law to watch, I would check with store manager and tell them that you think they breaking the law, if that is there policy, I often read in the newspapers that a store is fined for doing this same thing, go in and be happy its there loss and who knows a law suit and may make them think twice before they discriminate, I love changing in them and even ask for her opinion, it blows there minds when I open the door in all the pretty things Ive picked out, as Ive said before a sale is a sale, Love Charolette

[suzy]

That is very disturbing information. I don't know if it would be a technical violation of law or not. Posting a notice doesn't automatically cancel out a law that is on the books, unless the law has a disclaimer.

At any rate, it should be challenged. There are other means to discourage shoplifting if that is their concern. Peeping Toms, same sex or not, shouldn't be allowed "under the color of justice!"

I will take my business elsewhere if I see a sign or suspect that the dressing room is being monitored.

[bgirl]

I wondered if someone was watching me the other day when I tried on a skirt at k-mart. But I wanted to try the skirt on anyway so it didnt matter if they saw my pantyhose, I hope it wasn't anyone I know!

[Nicole Lee]

I think that the sign meant that a sales ladie was at the station to assist opening the locked door and checking the amount you are taking in to try on, I believe it is against the law to watch, I would check with store manager and tell them that you think they breaking the law, if that is there policy, I often read in the newspapers that a store is fined for doing this same thing, go in and be happy its there loss and who knows a law suit and may make them think twice before they discriminate, I love changing in them and even ask for her opinion, it blows there minds when I open the door in all the pretty things Ive picked out, as Ive said before a sale is a sale, Love Charolette

No, but if you go into some stores, they don't have a someone to count the number of clothes you are trying on. You can simply "walk in". It shouldn't be against the law, provided that you give them consent to watch you change. And that is done by posting the message on the wall, and you give your consent by going forth with changing your clothes. They do this, obviously, to prevent shop lifters from possibly hiding clothes underneath their everyday ones.

[suzy]

Nicole,

I understand where you're coming from hun....but!

IMHO.... a sign hanging on the wall doesn't negate a state statute by implied consent.

If you wish to give written or even verbal consent, then that should be the minimal requirement necessary. How many people really don't pay attention to the sign?

I just disagree with the whole concept of being watched, by anyone (not of my own choosing ) while in a public dressing room!

I also believe that it is an invitation for frivilous or not so frivilous law suits.

Again, I would simply shop elsewhere.

[kerrianna]

I always assume that I'm being watched by cameras anyway, so if I do end up trying something on while wearing p*nties or something, I just say, whatever, enjoy the show boys.

In this day and age I think privacy is more a state of mind. As the Boomtown Rats sang way way back "There's Always Someone Looking at You". So either you can't care or don't dare. It's up to you, unless we can start winning privacy rights back, which doesn't look likely.

[thea]

In most jurisdictions, if they post a sign saying ther're watching, they can watch. The "same-sex personnel" is a sensitivity thing, possibly a legal one as well. But changing rooms are areas of high interest for shoplifters, so of course they use one-way mirrors, cameras (no sound--that's a legal restriction), and probably other means to keep an eye on their merchandise. Of course, much of the time the only monitoring is the sign, and they're not actually assigning security full-time to changing-room duty.

I prefer establishments with easy return policies so I can buy things, try them on at home, and then exchange for a better size if need be or get a refund. (Have there been threads comparing sales assistants' attitudes when buying versus returning?)

[cd_lisaplaything]

"Monitoring" could just mean that there is an employee there to account for the number of garments going in and coming out of the change room. Of course it could also mean CCTV cameras, which I doubt due to privacy laws, especially with regard to children [peadophilia and child pornography are very serious crimes and I don't think too many stores would leave themselves open to prosecution].

I'd definitely be asking someone just what that sign means. There shouldn't be cameras in change rooms, period. And as far as I'm aware, a sign does not override law. Most retailers will ask to check your bags on the way out. Most people have no objection to this however, the store has no legal right to search you or your property unless they arrest you, at which point they must call the police. The police have the legal power to search you and your belongings. If they find nothing, you are then in a position to charge the store with false arrest. It's a crazy situation, and if you have nothing to hide you wouldn't waste your time going through it all, so most people just open their bag. It's a simple courtesy. Store personnel are definitely NOT allowed to rummage through your bag though. They can ask you to remove something so they can see what's under it, but again, it's a courtesy.

Well at least here in Oz anyway

[SherriePall]

I know at work a few years ago a coworker was found stealing by taking items out of packaging in the bathroom. They said it was legal to have a camera in the bathroom so long it was aimed at the sink area and not at the urinals or inside the stalls.
So, how does that fit in with the Macy's sign? I would say they could monitor you going in and coming out of the changing area, but they could not watch you changing. Someone better check on their policy. And quickly.

[trannie T]

So who's going to be watching me? A genetic man? A genetic woman? Another crossdresser? Do they let crossdressers use the women's dressing rooms? Who would you rather have watching you dress and undress, a man or a woman?

[EricaCD]

Folks, this is not my area of the law, and I certainly acknowledge that lawyers are not infallible, but...

1. Macy's has a very big in-house legal department.
2. Macy's uses lots of outside law firms.
3. They probably checked this policy for statutory compliance before implementing it.

If you don't like the policy, that's certainly a fair opinion. But I would think twice before venturing an unsupported guess that it is unlawful.

Erica

[noname]

I sure don't want another guy watching me change.

[trannie T]

Another thought, just because they have a sign does not mean that they are actually watching. But in case they are be sure to put on a good show.

[Glenda58]

When I shop I'm always dress so I use the dressing rooms for women with the SA help. They Know what I am they check it out and put me in the first room. Most just want the sale. And that sign is up there for shop lifters They don't pay someone to sit there all day watching the rooms. Just go in and try on your things big brother is not watch you.

[rosiegurl]

not only is it NOT against the law to have cameras monitering changing rooms in stores, it is also legal for them to have camera's in bathrooms aswell.

there may be some local laws that are different than this admittadly.

now, saying that, very few stores do monitor either position, for obvious reasons.

just remember girls, when you are playing in the changing rooms, they could be watching you

[Kelly,R]

If they are useing a camera,and it is recording(which it would have to be if they want proof of wrong doing) it is illegal without your written consent.It's called pornography,it's against the law to photograph or record on camera someone removing their clothes without consent.Implyed consent will not stand up in court,I mean what about people who can't read,or speak and read a different language?

[shavedm64]

Some States may have laws that prevent cameras in dressing rooms.. the thing to remember is the store is private property, owned and controlled by the store... if they have cameras operating in changing rooms, and it makes you uncomfortable, then shop elsewhere... or..... it could just be that changing clothes with someone watching may be as exciting as buying or wearing the clothes.. your choice

[sissystephanie]

I think most of you are missing the point of the sign. It said, "Dressing Rooms are monitored by same-sex personnel." Monitoring does not mean they are watching you. It means that they check to see if you are O.K. or need some help in some way. A man would not want a lady checking on him..........well, maybe!

The law is that a store cannot have men checking women's dressing rooms, and vice-versa. But no store is going to be watching you in any way. The resulting lawsuit would put them out of business. As has been said many times, they want the sale!!

Sissy

More Girl than man

[joanlynn28]

I havn't seen those signs up in Macy's at all. And by the way I am interviewing to work at Macy's and I was asked at my interview if I would mind straightening up the men's or women's dressing rooms. One more interview to go and hopefully I will be starting there shortly.

[joanlynn28]

I havn't seen those signs up in Macy's at all. And by the way I am interviewing to work at Macy's and I was asked at my interview if I would mind straightening up the men's or women's dressing rooms. One more interview to go and hopefully I will be starting there shortly.

[serinalynn]

I was just curious to find out what everyone thought here. I went into Macy*s today to try on some girls jeans and read the signs they had in their fitting room. It said, "Fitting rooms are monitored by same-sex personnel." I was just thinking, how does that make you feel, that someone is watching you change into your pantyhose or short mini skirts? It can't be against the law, if they have that sign there, as you show your consent by acknowledging the sign and changing clothes anyway.

I was just curious. Definitely put me into a scare of when I try on clothes, especially since everytime I try on clothes, I'm in guy mode.

If your a guy going in to try on womens clothing and you are using a fitting room in the ladies section, you should already know that ladies will be monitoring the fitting rooms in the ladies department. If you have a problem with that, then take the items you want to try on over to the mens Department and do it there, where a guy will open a fitting room for you while looking a blouses and skirts that you want to try on.

I have tried on clothing in Lane Bryant stores and in Torrid Stores and have not had a problem being looked in on my female sales associates.Most that I have had experience with have been friendly, courteous, and helpful.

[Stephenie S]

Rosiegurl,

This is not correct. It is absolutely illegal to watch or film someone dressing, changing clothes, or going to the bathroom. As someone mentioned above, this is called pornography, and people who do it are called pornographers or worse. If it involves children (which it could, easily, in changing rooms or bathrooms), it is called pedophilia. There is no state in the country where this is legal. There are many cases on the books of people being prosocuted for spying on others in bathrooms and changing rooms.

You have an absolute right to expect privacy in changing rooms and bathrooms. Security has got to operate outside of these places. I am quite sure that the sign in question refers to monitering the comming and going of people into the changing rooms and NOT the use of cameras or one way mirrors.

Steph

[Sweet Susan]

I was just curious to find out what everyone thought here. I went into Macy*s today to try on some girls jeans and read the signs they had in their fitting room. It said, "Fitting rooms are monitored by same-sex personnel." I was just thinking, how does that make you feel, that someone is watching you change into your pantyhose or short mini skirts?

I would have to assume that that means that a guy is watching guys and a gal is watching gals. If not, that is their problem.