Cell Phones and Women's Locker Rooms

When I first joined the YMCA near my home, I was surprised that there were no posted policies on cell phone use in the locker rooms. Back in Arizona, there were strict rules prohibiting the use of cell phones in locker rooms because nowadays most phones are equipped with cameras, and it is way too easy to snap photos of people in various states of undress without their knowledge or consent. These photographs can then be downloaded (in seconds) to websites for the whole world to see.

I immediately began lobbying for signs prohibiting the use of cell phones to be posted in the locker rooms at my YMCA. I had seen a few people on cell phones in the women’s locker room but didn’t feel like I could ask them to stop unless an explicit policy that would support me was posted. After several months and several written requests, a sign was finally posted banning cell phone use in the women’s locker room.

Since that time, I have asked a handful of offenders to finish their conversations outside the locker room. I always ask politely, whispering so as not to interrupt their conversations. In every case, the women have apologized and either ended their conversations or stepped back outside. I understand that most people do not even realize why the policy was put in place (they’re not planning to take photos themselves), and/or they don’t even see the sign—it’s not especially prominent.

This week, however, I have had confrontations with three dumb broads who refused to take their conversations outside the locker room. In all three cases, I asked the women politely to end their conversations. In all three cases, they either waved me off or continued their conversations as they made their way further into the locker room. In all three cases, I raised my voice (from a whisper to a normal tone) and stated, “You cannot use your cell phone in the women’s locker room. Signs are posted to protect those of us who are changing clothes.” In all three cases, the women continued to talk.

Finally, in the first case (on Wednesday), I looked the woman square in the eye and commanded, “Please leave.” She left.

When I arrived at the YMCA on Thursday, I noticed that the sign banning cell phones had been torn down. So, I reported it. I had witnesses who saw Wednesday’s confrontation—one of whom is an employee at the Y. I was also advised that I could call for security any time someone didn’t cooperate with the policy.

Today, a new sign was posted, but the rate of stupidity and selfishness was at an all-time high.

As I undressed after my workout (wearing a sports bra and shorts), a woman walked into the locker room, yapping away on her cell phone. I followed all of the above procedures (asking politely that the phone conversation be finished outside, restating the policy, etc.). The woman continued her conversation for a few more minutes inside the locker room. As she did so, a second woman barged in, yapping on her phone as well. I repeated the above procedures, and she, too, continued her conversation for a few more minutes.

When I saw that neither woman was going to get off her phone or finish her conversation outside, I yelled out the locker room door for security. Both women finished their business and came through the door, saying things like,

“I was on the phone with my friend who has cancer.”
“I was talking to the school nurse.”
“Like I’m going to take pictures of women in the locker room.”

Yes, of course, the rules don’t apply to you. Dumb, rich broads.

I threw on a shirt and followed both women out so I could identify them for security, which I did. All of my buddies (they call themselves “The Knights of the Roundtable”) who were hanging out drinking coffee helped me identify them: “They went that way, Katie!” It was great!

On Wednesday and today, I had witnesses in the locker room, who can vouch that I was polite at first and more firm as the situation escalated. I also spoke to the YMCA director about posting signs OUTSIDE the locker rooms that explicitly direct people to finish their conversations and turn off their cell phones BEFORE entering the locker room. All of the staff at the Y have been very supportive of me and have actually thanked me for being so vigilant.

I think I need a superhero name now. Professor by afternoon/evening; protector of Locker Room Privacy by morning. What shall I call myself? The Mobile-Annihilator? The Privates Protector? Send me your thoughts, so I can create a costume in time for Halloween.