Wait .. what? What do you mean, "communal" fitting rooms?

[Alyssa M.]

You know how most stores have fitting rooms with individual stalls so that everyone may try on their clothes in privacy? Today I learned that warehouse closeout sales don't do that, in particular, the extremely popular one I went to this morning. You see, there isn't an actual store, just a floor of an office building where they put out racks of clothes the fitting rooms are just a few offices with a curtain behind the door and a few cheap door mirrors leaning against the walls. Now, there are several hundred people shopping at any given time, and only a few offices, so the fitting rooms are, well ... communal. As in, about half a dozen women all changing at the same time in an open space of maybe 100 square feet. 

I've been avoiding the whole locker room issue. It's just not something I want to deal with. But this was pretty close. So ... tucking? Not really my thing if I can avoid it. Which I thought I could today. 

So ... that was fun. At least those pants fit me (that's trousers to you Brits!) and looked okay, so I guess it all worked out. But, damn. I didn't think when I woke up this morning that I'd be getting half-naked in a room full of half-naked women. It kind of scared the crap out of me. I mean, I'm all about half-naked women, but that doesn't do a damned thing to decrease the awkwardness. Quite the contrary! It makes me about ten times more terrified that someone's going to think I'm some kind of creep, though that paled compared to the worry over how people would see me.

I thought I was over this kind of freak-out nonsense. I guess not. 

[LordKAT]

Funny, that is about how I felt for as long as I have ever had to share a shower/locker room with women.  It is the first time I heard of a communal changing room for trying on clothes tho.

[Cindy]

I remember my first visit to communal showers, both boys and girls next to each other   I think everyone was checking out 'things' that they never realized came in different shapes, sizes, colours and 'activity'. I (and many others) was totally taken (wrong word) by a guy who was totally unconcerned that he was very erect. He seemed to be quite happy to display his effort to all

Cindy

[kyril]

Funny, that is about how I felt for as long as I have ever had to share a shower/locker room with women.  It is the first time I heard of a communal changing room for trying on clothes tho.

I'm not the only one!

Seriously, it's deeply weird getting naked in front of women. Or seeing them naked. I'm not sure if my lack of interest helps or hurts.

[LordKAT]

I'm not the only one!

Seriously, it's deeply weird getting naked in front of women. Or seeing them naked. I'm not sure if my lack of interest helps or hurts.

I don't know either but my prob is I AM interested. Then I would get depressed. It doesn't go over well. One reason I learned to hide in a selfmade shell of oblivion I think.

[Cindy]

I don't know either but my prob is I AM interested. Then I would get depressed. It doesn't go over well. One reason I learned to hide in a selfmade shell of oblivion I think.

My dear Kat,
If you dare go back to that shell I will personally beat the c**p out of you

The guy with the erection dual sex rooms AFAIK. In fact it is sick. And to display it Just means it is a pervert.

I was trying to be funny and it didn't come over.


If you want to pm me feel free; Ooops


Cindy

[Jamie-o]

Funny, that is about how I felt for as long as I have ever had to share a shower/locker room with women.  It is the first time I heard of a communal changing room for trying on clothes tho.

Same thing here.  I remember the first time, post-puberty, that I shared a room with another girl.  I was 11 or 12 at the time, and she was a couple years older.  She started to change clothes, and I hid my face in a pillow.  She thought that was odd, and I realized that she did, so I tried to cover it as a joke, but I remember her making some sort of comment about me acting like an embarrassed boy.  Oh, if only she knew how right she was. 

But, Alyssa, just remember, most women are very self-conscious about their bodies, so if you keep yourself turned to the wall, no-one will think it's odd, and no-one is likely to look too closely.

[Radar]

Funny, that is about how I felt for as long as I have ever had to share a shower/locker room with women.

I can relate.
Post Merge: April 24, 2010, 09:57:53 AM

She started to change clothes, and I hid my face in a pillow.  She thought that was odd, and I realized that she did, so I tried to cover it as a joke, but I remember her making some sort of comment about me acting like an embarrassed boy.

Me too. I've always felt like a pervert when women would change clothes in front of me. I'd feel the same way if I accidently saw a woman on the toilet too.

[rejennyrated]

When I was in my teens communal changing was pretty common in big cheap fashion chains. I was always glad that I was so underdeveloped because very little showed. I also developed a technique of wearing a sanitary pad and then if there was any slight bulge the girls just thought it was down to the pad. If you aren't too big you might find that works Alyssa.

But even in my twenties when I was postop I never liked using those types of facility much, and when I found one I just tended to shop elsewhere.

[milktea]

I can relate.
Post Merge: April 24, 2010, 08:57:53 AMMe too. I've always felt like a pervert when women would change clothes in front of me. I'd feel the same way if I accidently saw a woman on the toilet too.

hmm i can never quite restraint myself from checking out a girl changing clothes...and guessing her measurements

[Alyssa M.]

It's interesting how many guys commented on this thread. I don't know what that says. I appreciate all your comments.

I remember my first visit to communal showers, both boys and girls next to each other   I think everyone was checking out 'things' that they never realized came in different shapes, sizes, colours and 'activity'. I (and many others) was totally taken (wrong word) by a guy who was totally unconcerned that he was very erect. He seemed to be quite happy to display his effort to all

Cindy

Oh, no -- not that communal! There were separate women's and men's fitting rooms. If it had been gender-integrated, it would have made me waaaay more uncomfortable.

When I was in my teens communal changing was pretty common in big cheap fashion chains. I was always glad that I was so underdeveloped because very little showed. I also developed a technique of wearing a sanitary pad and then if there was any slight bulge the girls just thought it was down to the pad. If you aren't too big you might find that works Alyssa.

But even in my twenties when I was postop I never liked using those types of facility much, and when I found one I just tended to shop elsewhere.

This was certainly a special case, and I wouldn't generally shop at a store that had that policy.

My local Target store has only a "family" changing room -- one area with about ten individual stalls of the style found in most department stores (the ones with locking doors that go down to about a foot off the floor with slats like old style shutters). None of the stalls are designated specifically for men or for women. I really like that set-up: privacy, and no fear of anybody policing my gender.

Thanks for the suggestion about pads. I'd heard that before, but it hadn't occurred to me. I'll think about it for the next sale they hold.

Same thing here.  I remember the first time, post-puberty, that I shared a room with another girl.  I was 11 or 12 at the time, and she was a couple years older.  She started to change clothes, and I hid my face in a pillow.  She thought that was odd, and I realized that she did, so I tried to cover it as a joke, but I remember her making some sort of comment about me acting like an embarrassed boy.  Oh, if only she knew how right she was. 

But, Alyssa, just remember, most women are very self-conscious about their bodies, so if you keep yourself turned to the wall, no-one will think it's odd, and no-one is likely to look too closely.

Oh, yeah, I'm totally aware of that. I've seen that in effect even among friends, and I definitely used it to my advantage. Practically all the women seemed a bit uncomfortable. (And I know it wasn't because of me, because they seemed just as uncomfortable before they saw me.)

[Jam]

Same thing here.  I remember the first time, post-puberty, that I shared a room with another girl.  I was 11 or 12 at the time, and she was a couple years older.  She started to change clothes, and I hid my face in a pillow.  She thought that was odd, and I realized that she did, so I tried to cover it as a joke, but I remember her making some sort of comment about me acting like an embarrassed boy.  Oh, if only she knew how right she was. 

I used to so something similar but instead i had to fight off the urge to look  lol  I did used to feel embarrased about it though especially when they were like, 'i havent got anything you've never seen before'  i hated that.

I'd hate going in there i think i'd have turned round and left the store. Not a fan of showing off me body.

[Lacey Lynne]

A Very Unique Perspective:

Any of you been to clothing-optional resorts?

I have ... many times.  My favorite is Caliente in Tampa (Land 'O Lakes of Pasco County technically-speaking).  I've been to Caliente between 50-55 times from 2005-2010.  Check out the website.  Click on the TAMPA tab:

www.calienteresorts.com

The locker room is COMPLETELY "co-ed."  The showers are COMPLETELY "co-ed."  There is no training period.  There is no orientation.  There is no preparatory exercise.  The people there are from the general population.  At Caliente, they are affluent.  The place is REALLY expensive. 

So, what's my point?  Just this:  PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING!

Like the Nike commercials say, "Just do it!"  I did.  They did.  You can.  Our society conditions us to believe that our bodies and other people's bodies are obscene, dirty, immoral ... etc.  Nonsense.  They are not.  They're beautiful ... even if they are just plain and average ... as most people's bodies are.

Once you've been in a public nudity environment like this, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll adjust to it.  Within an hour or so, you'll wonder:  "What took me so long?"

Granted, this is only true for SOME people.  This scene is NOT for everybody.  Some folks can neither condone it nor embrace it.  No problem.  Live and let live, I say.  If places like Caliente offend you, don't look at the website, don't talk about it and don't go to it. 

From my unique perspective, this whole issue is an altogether moot point.  There is no issue.  Get naked and get happy.  Just keep it cool.  Lewdness and lasciviousness ARE NOT COOL.  A clothing-optional resort is neither the time nor the place to participate in either of those things. 

P.S.: 

Caliente is currently the best of such venues.  I've been to Paradise Lakes, Lake Como, White Thorn Lodge and such venues various and sundry over the years.

I plan on developing such a venue to equal, indeed to surpass, Caliente in the Pacific Northwest. 

I'm outta here ... thanks for your long-suffering forebearance and gracious tolerance. 

Ever Your Ebullient Free-Spirit,

L.L.   

[Alyssa M.]

Hi, Lacey,

Wow, that's awesome. You've only fairly recently started transition, right? So I guess you went "as a man"? (I.e., you interacted with others as a man, or letting them see you as a man, correct?)

For me -- no way in hell!!!

Oh, my, no. If you can do that, more power to you. It's not that I'm ashamed of my body, but I just don't like it! Sure, being nude around a bunch of other nude people would be better than the common nightmare of showing up places and realizing you've forgotten your clothes. And I'm all about developing positive body images. I even have a pretty positive body image, myself. Being (fairly) young and in (reasonably) good shape helps.

But there's no getting over the bits and my dislike for them. Even worse would be how people would view me as a result: as a man, or at least, not as a woman. Combined with (small) breasts and a lack of body hair, and it would probably be awkward. (Or so I imagine; I'm not going to try to find out.) Once I get SRS, I might feel a bit different, but for now, it's just not happening. Heck, the idea of going to a beach (not that there are any around here; <sigh>) freaks me out enough, what with swim suits being rather revealing.

Before I started transitioning, I suppose it might have been easier, but still not so good. I've been skinny dipping a few times, both in really warm water (hot springs) and really cold (high alpine lakes) and it's definitely a lot of fun. But I've never even like to be topless. Somehow it both felt indecent (by standards that require women to cover their breasts) and reminded me of what wasn't there (because others didn't see it that way). Not good times.

But, yeah, if you feel comfortable with it, then I'm happy for you. And thanks for sharing.

[Miniar]

I was just gonna chime in with the other boys about the discomfort of being in the women's room.. but then I saw Lacey's post.

See, I'd love to go to a "clothing optional" resort....
... just.. one minor problem...
My birthday suit doesn't fit!

I actually feel entirely comfortable being naked, as a thing, as long as I'm not paying attention/noticing the incorrect bits.
So for me, it's not about "dirty" it's about "*string of expletives* chest and crotch" and their incorrect appearance.

[justmeinoz]

My birthday suit doesn't fit!

LOVE IT!!!