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firesafety101  
#1 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:03:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Happy Friday everyone. Having travelled up and down the country a bit lately I have noticed mere often the sign that states "female operative on duty" in the service areas of motorways and other places I stop for refreshment breaks. I wonder if this has the same affect as it does me on other males when they are just about to enter the rest room - especially when the female on duty is following close behind with her cleaning utensils. This is not a men only topic so come on girls you can contribute as well. (Are there any "male operative on duty" signs anywhere?
sean  
#2 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:30:18(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

No not seen "male operative on duty" but have seen and heard "men at work" 80's Australian band! Sorry its friday!!
Jane Blunt  
#3 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:31:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

Yes, Chris - it is extremely common in a motorway service area for the ladies room to have a male operative on duty. I tend to feel sorry for them!
firesafety101  
#4 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:33:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Jane - you feel sorry for him, and I feel sorry for myself, something wrong there ? Does he check to see if the lid is down?
Jane Blunt  
#5 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:37:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

I do appreciate, however, that the facilities are fundamentally different, so males with a female operative may have a more difficult time than vice versa. Too much information! Happy Friday
Helmsman  
#6 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:41:46(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Helmsman

This has been common in Scandinavia for years and doesn't seem to be much of a problem.
firesafety101  
#7 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:42:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Jane, it's not just the facilities that are fundamentally different :-)
PhilBeale  
#8 Posted : 30 July 2010 10:46:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PhilBeale

ChrisBurns wrote:
Jane, it's not just the facilities that are fundamentally different :-)
RFLMAO Phil
firesafety101  
#9 Posted : 30 July 2010 11:06:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

You'll have to expand Phil? Is it similar to "vive le difference"
Ciarán Delaney  
#10 Posted : 30 July 2010 11:11:47(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Chris, I'm lost!!! "Jane, it's not just the facilities that are fundamentally different"
David Bannister  
#11 Posted : 30 July 2010 11:12:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

These days I am generally so relieved (so to speak) to reach the facilities that I don't care who is on duty, so long as I can do what I desperately need to do!
Ciarán Delaney  
#12 Posted : 30 July 2010 11:14:01(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Remember Ryanair will be charging shortly for you to use the facilities on their aircraft.
Jane Blunt  
#13 Posted : 30 July 2010 11:18:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

As a mum and a granny I do have a basic knowledge of anatomy. When describing the difference in facilities, in a word: 'privacy' Please ask your wives/girlfriends etc if you cannot figure out what I am driving at. I think I'll stop now. As before, have a happy Friday.
redken  
#14 Posted : 30 July 2010 12:14:32(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
redken

Thought I would share this from the Your Freedom website: In public buildings the toilet facilities for the audience are regulated mostly by building and licensing regulations, and often leads to long queues at one gender's toilet while another is under used. For example Wembley Arena stages heavy metal concerts (predominantly male audience) and ice dancing (mostly female audience) the Gents has queues at the first, the Ladies at the second. Unisex toilets would mean less queuing. In the workplace, the major regulatory barrier to installing unisex toilets is the Health & Safety Management Regulations. Unisex toilets in the workplace are not uncommon in other countries. (Remember Ali Mc Beal?) and if properly managed can provide better facilities for all concerned.
PhilBeale  
#15 Posted : 30 July 2010 12:53:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PhilBeale

ChrisBurns wrote:
You'll have to expand Phil? Is it similar to "vive le difference"
RFLMAO= rolling on the floor laughing my bottom off (not sure if you can use the A word on here so bottom will have to do) Phil
McSalley17498  
#16 Posted : 30 July 2010 12:54:47(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
McSalley17498

Chris Maybe its because that the only COMPETENT personell they have are female!!!
GordonP  
#17 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:04:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
GordonP

What difference should it be what Gender the operative is. I've been standing at a urinal while a female operative was cleaning the urinal next to me, and yes that was in a UK service station. I've also used mixed showers when I was in the army (ran by the french medical services), as well as mixed accomodation rooms. So I appreciate that women and men are different. So I can only imagine what Chris is refering to when he comments in his OP "I wonder if this has the same affect as it does me". For me I normally just appreciate that someone is cleaning the facility. They are there to do a job, earn a living, feed their family.
Ciarán Delaney  
#18 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:05:54(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

McSalley17498 wrote:
Chris Maybe its because that the only COMPETENT personell they have are female!!!
They're so competent that they spell personnel wrong. ROGLMAO, oh it hurts so badly
GordonP  
#19 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:09:26(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
GordonP

accommodation referring Before you want to pick me up for my spelling also. ;-) Have a great weekend everyone.
Ciarán Delaney  
#20 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:14:05(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

nah, Gordon, we're males, we're not competent, oh its definitely Friday. To my Irish colleagues, have a great bank holiday weekend. And a major thank you to those who sympathised with my wife on her loss before I forget. It was very much appreciated.
Baker30611  
#21 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:42:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Baker30611

Quoting "In the workplace, the major regulatory barrier to installing unisex toilets is the Health & Safety Management Regulations. Unisex toilets in the workplace are not uncommon in other countries. (Remember Ali Mc Beal?) and if properly managed can provide better facilities for all concerned" I did not think the Management regs mentioned toilets, the Workplace, Health Safety and Wefare Regs certainly do, and also state that as long as there is a lockable door, then there is no need for segregation - "separate rooms containing conveniences are provided for men and women except where and so far as each convenience is in a separate room the door of which is capable of being secured from inside." I think there would be a riot in a lot of workplaces if they were unisex, I for one hate the ladies toliet, they smell fresh, they are usually clean, and the seat is always down!
peter gotch  
#22 Posted : 30 July 2010 13:46:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Baker, As I have pointed out to yet another poster on the Your Freedom who has not done their research before posting yet another myth there! P
Clairel  
#23 Posted : 30 July 2010 18:28:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

Yes they have Male Cleaning Operative on Duty signs in the ladies as well (do you think the men clean the ladies and women clean the gents???) Not an issue in the ladies because we do all our business behind locked doors. However, I have felt iffy about it at the Euro tunnel once, early hours, deserted, felt a bit vulnerable. If there is a huge queue at the ladies and none at the mens (and if I've had a few to drink) i'll pop in the gents. Blokes seem to look a bit startled but hey a girl's gotta go!!! Don't like unisex loos but only cause men are so yucky with their toilet habits. Not keen on the emergence of unisex toilets in comprehensive schools though - looks like trouble to me!!!
freelance safety  
#24 Posted : 30 July 2010 18:54:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

Thread - it's all going down the pan!
Ciarán Delaney  
#25 Posted : 30 July 2010 23:44:58(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Freelance, excellent pun
firesafety101  
#26 Posted : 31 July 2010 11:02:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Clairel-If there is a huge queue at the ladies and none at the mens (and if I've had a few to drink) i'll pop in the gents. Blokes seem to look a bit startled but hey a girl's gotta go!!! My personal opinion is you are putting yourself at risk doing that, especially after a few drinks. Chances are if there is a large queue at the ladies there will be lots of men in the men's room. I would think twice next time. Stay safe.
Ciarán Delaney  
#27 Posted : 31 July 2010 11:48:45(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

On a lighter notes, many years ago there was a concert series in the local stadium called Siamsa Cois Laoi which had approx 30,000 people at it. The ladies out numbered the men and took over the mens toilets. The shock and horror on the mens faces will be etched on my memory. The following year better provision was made to relieve the situation.
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