March 20, 2018 — At the risk of delving into a sociopolitical argument over men and women using dressing rooms of the opposite gender, this past weekend I was faced with a very strange scenario.

While shopping with my wife at JC Penny, I attempted to enter the men’s fitting room and was greeted by an angry female voice from inside yelling, “hey, I’m in here.” I was startled because generally you LOCK THE DOOR after going into a fitting room. Wasn’t expecting that! And then to be met with such hostility was a bit unsettling.

Feeling a bit perturbed and seeing this as a teachable moment, I curtly responded, “Maybe lock the door next door?!” She snapped back, “I did lock it.” I said, “Well, clearly it wasn’t locked.” She said, “Well, I locked it.” And I said, “Well, I opened it.” And added, “It’s also the men’s dressing room.” It was like a scene from a TV show right before two people throw down.

My wife standing nearby was visibly embarrassed by my exchange with this stranger. She suggested we do our browsing elsewhere and we vacated the area like the wimps we are. I did keep an eye on the dressing room to see who came out. After a few minutes the woman emerged and she looked to me to be one of those people who live in a constant state of anger and irritation and has done so for decades. Maybe it’s her ill-fitting men’s jeans?

I have no issue with people dressing in whatever makes them feel comfortable or pretty but it got me thinking: if I wanted to try on clothes in the women’s fitting room, I’m sure most women would object. Maybe even call store security. How is this different?

I’ve been in a men’s dressing room when another man mistakenly tried to enter my stall. When this happens I respond with, “Occupied.” That’s usually met with, “Oh, sorry man.” No harm, no foul. No hostility needed.

And according to the some of the women I work with (and my wife), this happens all the time in women’s fitting rooms and it’s not that big of a deal. This woman clearly doesn’t know modern day fitting room etiquette or decorum.

Bottom line: if you have a concern about someone of the opposite gender seeing you partially unclothed, maybe use the appropriate fitting room. No one at the store is going to care if you take a pair of men’s Wranglers to the women’s fitting room.

And lastly, don’t be so darn indignant if someone mistakenly tries the door handle or slides open the curtain. You’re the interloper in this scenario, missy!