Communal/Gym Changing Rooms: Do they make you feel uncomfortable?

Polloloca

yes unless its after aqua aerobics because then i feel happy that i don't have to hoist my breasts off my knees unlike pretty much the rest of the changing room, and i am fine with changing. Would never shower with no swimsuit on though. Gives me shivers even thinking about it.

Precious flower

I wouldn't feel comfortable to 'let it all hang out' in a changing room however that's just because I'm not confident with my body and have hang ups about it, however I would take no issue with someone who felt fine going around naked. I don't feel a woman should be judged either way, some are comfortable to do it, some are not. For me it's completely up to the individual.

scrumqueen

Communal changing areas in gyms/ pools don't bother me, I will strip off and change, and hit the showers, haven't had any experiences with communal open shower areas though but as others have said it's not anything you haven't seen before.

Cherry Blossoms

I have no problems getting changed in communal changing rooms or communal showers. It has happened me a couple of times where I've been in pool changing rooms, with mothers and their children, and the children stare at me as I'm getting changed. I hate that!

mrsherself

I have to agree with some of the posters here about being bothered about the naked people who hang out in the changing rooms. I know this will sound weird, but I'll just say how I feel anyway.... I think it's disgusting that they don't have the decency to even try to hide themselves. I'm the type of person who will try cover up to get changed, I feel like it's decency. It's one thing to quickly get your clothes on but it's another to saunter around naked while brushing your hair. Honestly, I find it disgusting and it makes me feel annoyed to have it shoved in my face. I'm not looking around while changing either. But unless I look down, you do actually end up seeing things you don't want to see.
It's all well and good if someone's confident being naked - that's great - but keep it at home, or on a nudist beach. I, for one, don't care how good you think your body looks, it makes me feel like puking to see it. Where has decency gone?? I'm not suggesting people wriggle into their clothes while holding up a towel, not at all! But a quick change is decent. Wandering around or having a sitdown while naked is not.

Lia_lia

^

Err..it's a changing room. It's not like people are walking around the town naked. And the "decency" to cover up? What exactly is wrong with a naked body?

mrsherself

It's a changing room, exactly! So that's what you're supposed to do - change!! Not wander around naked! You can argue about there being nothing weird about a naked body, but if that was the case, the porn mags wouldn't be on the top shelves, and there wouldn't be rules out in the public about it being against the law to be naked.

So there is something about the naked body that I personally feel should be kept private. Some people don't want to see it. And they shouldn't have to see it.

Lia_lia

I never really wander around naked, but I do wander around in my underwear quite simply because changing rooms are usually roasting and it's easier to dry my hair etc if I'm not sweating

But I have no problem with other people walking around naked, I take no notice. Porn mags are on top shelves because of the sexual stuff, not because of nudity.

I personally think it's very immature for someone to think nudity is disgusting and intolerable, but each to their own I guess!

mrsherself

Immature? That's an awful thing to say! People have different views of what 'decency' is, and I'm not sure you should treat that as immaturity. Rather, if you want to say someone is more 'reserved' than you, but I think to be called immature is a really nasty thing, just because of my viewpoint!
I obviously never voice my opinion to anyone in changing rooms about this. I just plainly don't like it, but I don't go around throwing clothes at people! The way I feel is the way I feel, and I think to call it immature is disrespectful. Anyway, at least you have the decency to put underwear on. I've no problem with that. I have a problem with full nakedness, just to clarify.

Lia_lia

Fair enough, sorry about that!


What is it about a naked person that bothers you so much, though? You just said you think they should have the decency to put on clothes...but never gave a reason why? Is it that you don't like how a naked body looks? I mean, it's not like they are hurting you. If you have/ever have kids would not let them see you naked?

I'm honestly not trying to disrespect you or anything...I just want to understand why some people have such a problem with nudity. I actually HATE it when teenagers go out dressed in near to nothing on nights out. Really pisses me off. But that's because they are attracting what can sometimes be dangerous attention from men, and are essentially presenting themselves in a bad light. I have no problem with nudity in a changing room though because people are rarely exhibiting their bodies, they just see a changing room as a place where it's ok to be naked, because it is.

mrsherself

I have absolutely NO idea why it bothers me!! Honestly! I just know that when I see someone walking around for a while completely naked, I feel disgusted, and I wish i could remove the image from my head. That's the best i can explain it. No, I don't think most bodies are that nice to look at. Bodies in underwear or swimwear don't bother me in the slightest! It's the horrible flabby boobs flopping around, and .... well I won't go into detail about the rest! Another thing that disgusts me is when I go on a sun holiday and some women take their tops off. I can see men leering at them, and again it really grosses me out, and I wish they'd put a bikini top on. I know I sound like an old fashioned granny, but I'm only 28!!! It's just always been a bugbear of mine.

Explaining why I feel this way is probably like trying to explain why ketchup grosses me out, or why I love rock music... I can't explain!

Neyite

mrsherself wrote: »

I have absolutely NO idea why it bothers me!! Honestly! I just know that when I see someone walking around for a while completely naked, I feel disgusted, and I wish i could remove the image from my head. That's the best i can explain it. No, I don't think most bodies are that nice to look at. Bodies in underwear or swimwear don't bother me in the slightest! It's the horrible flabby boobs flopping around, and .... well I won't go into detail about the rest! Another thing that disgusts me is when I go on a sun holiday and some women take their tops off. I can see men leering at them, and again it really grosses me out, and I wish they'd put a bikini top on. I know I sound like an old fashioned granny, but I'm only 28!!! It's just always been a bugbear of mine.

Explaining why I feel this way is probably like trying to explain why ketchup grosses me out, or why I love rock music... I can't explain!

Would you feel grossed out by a breastfeeding mother the way you do above?

coffee_cake

I'm sorry to hear anyone thinks the human body is inherently disgusting

Das Kitty

mrsherself wrote: »

So there is something about the naked body that I personally feel should be kept private.

Ah grand. For a minute there I thought you were imposing your views on what was right and decent to be done with your body on others.

Some people don't want to see it. And they shouldn't have to see it.

Isn't it great that those people have the freedom not to visit places that they may have to encounter such sights!? Wonderful.

You know what would actually be lovely? If people didn't try to shame others over their bodies by using terms as disgusting. People have enough personal issues with their bodies without it being added to by such crass comments.

Boskowski

mrsherself wrote: »

It's a changing room, exactly! So that's what you're supposed to do - change!! Not wander around naked! You can argue about there being nothing weird about a naked body, but if that was the case, the porn mags wouldn't be on the top shelves, and there wouldn't be rules out in the public about it being against the law to be naked.

So there is something about the naked body that I personally feel should be kept private. Some people don't want to see it. And they shouldn't have to see it.

Sorry to say and this is not a personal attack or anything but that seems a rather - I don't know how to put it - 'scarred' attitude.

What has a naked body in the changing room to do with porn mags on the top shelves? You're the one who's sexualizing a situation here when there is absolutely nothing sexual about it.

Anyway, we all who we are and if thats how you feel about it thats that. I'm not really criticizing but you do realize it's you who's having an issue, not the others?

***

As for the topic at hand. I am a guy and I am from the continent and I can tell you the same thing happens in mens changing rooms in Ireland.
Now I'm not sure a bloke would actually go into a toilet cubicle, I'd say he rather just not change, but I've seen some funny stuff in changing rooms. Including people showering in their y-front underpants.

I have no real explanation to offer one can only guess why people do this. Maybe someones got body issues, maybe they're a bit uptight, maybe its their upbringing where nudity was 'dirty' or something, maybe its a catholic/ education thing. Overall people in my homecountry seem much more relaxed about that sort of thing, but we know this already so no big insight there.

On the whole however I must say there is one aspect of a more closed attitude I really detest. I don't care if someone wants to be more closet or more open or whatever. It's a bloody changing room, I'm going there to change and shower not to look at other blokes (yikes) and be looked at. If someone a bit uptight sexualizes the situation then its them doing that, being a little more uninhibited on the nudity front actually comes from not seeing anything sexual in it.

Wibbs

Still she's entitled to her opinion, so long as she doesn't actively impose restrictions on others. She's clearly stated she can't explain it and it's just the way she feels. Do I agree with it? Nope, but I've zero problem with her position as she lays it out.

I've so far successfully avoided gymnasiums and dressing rooms for most of my life. The smell of them reminds me of schooldays, but not in the warm nostalgia feelings way. That said I've been in a couple over the years. Usually on the back of one of those "free day pass extended to existing members for freinds or family so we can get more members" type dealios. In each case on the back of girlfriends attempting to fitten* me up, or kill me, depending on mood...

On the other side of the gender wall I found the mens changing rooms OK enough, though on each occasion I found if there's a large group you get the exhibitionist types. Nada to do with "being OK in your body" really, just those who make a point of swanning around with their bits out. I dunno if this kinda character is found in the ladies changing rooms.

Knowing where to place ones eyes when you find yourself sitting down while some standing bloke is engaging you in conversation crotch to eye for no real obvious reason is a skill I've happily not yet learned. In the case of one particular blowhard who assailed me both with his crotch and "I bench press tonnes you know and I could help you", I did suggest he put it away, because I felt it impolite to continue as I found myself without my magnifying glass. Then again I'm the guy who weirdos will seek out to sit beside on the emptiest of busses so your milage may vary.





*should be a word.

username123

Wibbs wrote: »

Nada to do with "being OK in your body" really, just those who make a point of swanning around with their bits out. I dunno if this kinda character is found in the ladies changing rooms.

Yes they are. I am personally aware of 4 or 5 different women, differing ages and condition, who like to swan about naked a bit more than is strictly necessary. I just dont take any notice.

For the person who actively finds the human body disgusting, its an odd attitude but each to their own, its not something that I would criticise someone for, however, sexualising a non sexual situation is just plain wrong and the product of possibly a genuine lack of understanding about the human body. Nudity does not equal a sexual situation.

Honey-ec

Wibbs wrote: »

Knowing where to place ones eyes when you find yourself sitting down while some standing bloke is engaging you in conversation crotch to eye for no real obvious reason is a skill I've happily not yet learned. In the case of one particular blowhard who assailed me both with his crotch and "I bench press tonnes you know and I could help you", I did suggest he put it away, because I felt it impolite to continue as I found myself without my magnifying glass. Then again I'm the guy who weirdos will seek out to sit beside on the emptiest of busses so your milage may vary.

Naked Chatty Gym Guy lives!

coffee_cake

Honey-ec wrote: »

Naked Chatty Gym Guy lives!

http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/minor_differences2/7.png

iguana

mrsherself wrote: »

You can argue about there being nothing weird about a naked body, but if that was the case, the porn mags wouldn't be on the top shelves, and there wouldn't be rules out in the public about it being against the law to be naked.

mrsherself wrote: »

Another thing that disgusts me is when I go on a sun holiday and some women take their tops off. I can see men leering at them, and again it really grosses me out, and I wish they'd put a bikini top on.

If you think that public decency laws back up your argument that human bodies are disgusting why do you have a problem with nudity in places where nudity is legal, like on certain beaches or in a changing room?

mrsherself

Agh!! There is nothing so frustrating abut people misquoting you! I AM NOT sexualising naked people in the changing rooms, believe me!! I was discussing about nakedness in public in general, how it's hidden, and that's why I brought in the porn mags.

I'll reiterate - yeah I find it disgusting to have someone else jangly wobbly completely naked bits walking around. No I'm not scarred, nothing has ever happened me. Yes I wear bikinis on holiday, I don't hide in that way. I just don't like full nakedness paraded around. Thank you to the people here who have disagreed with me but said that each to their own, I respect that. I'm not trying to make anyone think my way. I'm just saying this is how I feel and I still feel it has to do with decency. A couple of decades ago, everyone here probably might have had the same viewpoint as me, such were societal rules about decency. Time has changed that and people are freer and more open, but I still have my opinion and I'm sorry to say I still stand by it!

mrsherself

iguana wrote: »

mrsherself wrote: »

You can argue about there being nothing weird about a naked body, but if that was the case, the porn mags wouldn't be on the top shelves, and there wouldn't be rules out in the public about it being against the law to be naked.

mrsherself wrote: »

Another thing that disgusts me is when I go on a sun holiday and some women take their tops off. I can see men leering at them, and again it really grosses me out, and I wish they'd put a bikini top on.

If you think that public decency laws back up your argument that human bodies are disgusting why do you have a problem with nudity in places where nudity is legal, like on certain beaches or in a changing room?

I never said public decency laws back up my opinion that naked people are disgusting. But they do back me up that full nakedness should be hidden and is not something everyone wants to see.

iguana

mrsherself wrote: »

I never said public decency laws back up my opinion that naked people are disgusting. But they do back me up that full nakedness should be hidden and is not something everyone wants to see.

But you are complaining about people being naked/topless in places where it is perfectly legal to be naked/topless. That completely undermines your point, it couldn't back you up less.

Big Nasty

I don't give a fcuk what people do in a changing room once they're not shoving their organs in my face. You've got the 'towelies' and also those who like strolling around with it all swinging and jangling. Good for them - doesn't bother me! Also, for the record, I have seen old men blow drying their balls like in the pic bluewolf posted above!

Personally I do my thing and try not to expose too much of myself to others. I'm not really too bothered who sees me as I don't know most of them. I would however me more self conscious in front of people I do know.

username123

mrsherself wrote: »

I'll reiterate - yeah I find it disgusting to have someone else jangly wobbly completely naked bits walking around.

What if the bits in question are aesthetically pleasing and not jangly and wobbly? Would someone swanning about naked with an amazing body bother you as much as a saggy ugly one?

Wibbs

username123 wrote: »

What if the bits in question are aesthetically pleasing and not jangly and wobbly? Would someone swanning about naked with an amazing body bother you as much as a saggy ugly one?

Speaking for myself? Honestly? No it wouldn't. Male or female. Colour me shallow I suppose.

The Big Red Button

Wibbs wrote: »

Speaking for myself? Honestly? No it wouldn't. Male or female. Colour me shallow I suppose.

And, in a weird way, I'd be the opposite. I'd be far happier and more comfortable being around fat wobbly people (male or female) than I would be around skinny fit people ...

Colour me vain! :pac:

mrsherself

iguana wrote: »

mrsherself wrote: »

I never said public decency laws back up my opinion that naked people are disgusting. But they do back me up that full nakedness should be hidden and is not something everyone wants to see.

But you are complaining about people being naked/topless in places where it is perfectly legal to be naked/topless. That completely undermines your point, it couldn't back you up less.

Nope you're not getting my argument. What I'm saying is that in general there are laws against nakedness, which has to mean that in general being naked is something that has issues around it with decency. I'm nit being specific to changing rooms, I'm not stating that people aren't allowed to be naked in changing rooms.

Basically a question was asked and I answered my opinion. I don't like seeing ANYONE naked in a changing room walking around.

But as for a boyfriend or whatever, that's obviously different for me! I'm not opposed to being naked at all! It's not like I rock back and forth in the corner of my bedroom after seeing myself naked! I have no issues walking around naked in front of past boyfriends! At the end of the day, I just don't like seeing them in front of me in a changing room. Man I'm so tired of talking about this!!

What's so funny about all of this is, it's been AGES since I've been in a changing room cos I've been avoiding the gym hahaha!!!

Blowfish

The tendency when it comes to this is that those who have less of an issue with nudity in changing rooms are those who were introduced to it as being normal at fairly young age through team sports, swimming etc. Those who haven't been around it much tend (naturally enough) to be a bit more self conscious.

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I would however me more self conscious in front of people I do know.

This never really bothers me either for some reason. I cycle to work, shower there and bump into those in my dept. and others I know often enough. I couldn't really care less if they see my dangly bits or if I see theirs.

southsiderosie

I swam competitively in high school, and was a lifeguard through college, and I just got used to being naked in the locker room - which wasn't really a choice when there were eight showers for 40+ girls. You also learn how to get in and out very quickly!

When I was a lifeguard though, the locker room and showers were co-ed - the first year I worked there was only the second year that girls worked at that beach. At the beginning of the summer, most of us would just hose off the sand in the shower, and then take a real shower when we got home, but by the end of the summer, we had all mastered the fine art of changing under giant beach towels and hoodies...well except the 40 year old manager who didn't give a crap if we all saw his balls. I think they have proper male and female locker rooms now, but most of us were swimmers anyway, and were just used to running around half naked all of the time.

I think that Irish girls tend to be pretty shy about their bodies relative to other Europeans, but to each their own. I am not going to judge someone for being uncomfortable showering and changing in front of strangers, but at the same time, I don't want to be judged for not being uncomfortable with it, since this is perfectly appropriate behavior for a locker room.