A Day At Wal-Mart

[Guest MelissaC]

Went to Wal-mart today and had an interesting time. I found a dress I liked and took it to the women's change rooms, which were "guarded" by two employees, an older woman at the counter and a younger girl, she looked like a student, maybe my age, in the back.

Well the older woman gave me a scowl and said I wasn't allowed to use those fitting rooms (I was presenting male at the time). Since I know sometimes that's just a store's policy, I try not to argue. So I just asked her where the men's change rooms were.

She told me I couldn't take a dress into the men's change rooms. Didn't expect that.

Well, now I wasn't sure what to do. But it was the younger employee to the rescue! I guess she had heard the conversation and she came out from the back and said "actually since it's a dress it's okay to take it into these change rooms". The first lady grumbled but didn't say anything after that, and I got to use the women's after all! Yay, and well done younger-girl!

So today I met two strangers. One disappointed me, and then the other turned around and impressed me. Also I got a new dress. It was fun.

[Guest Michaele]

Melissa,

Sounds like an iffy situation turned into a good day of retail therapy. My day of shopping was great, got a new TV, bought two new bras shopping and got some new cami's.

Shelley

[Guest BrandonIThink]

uhhhm....could they really refuse to let female clothing into the men's changeroom? Legally, I mean. That has to be violating discrimination laws somehow. But whatever, I'm glad it turned out alright. And yay for getting a new dress!! Sounds like it was overall a good day

[Carolyn Marie]

Younger people just seem more accepting and tolerant, and more willing to bend the rules a bit. I'm so glad you encountered the young woman.

Congrats on the new dress, hon. So, when do we get to see a pic of you in it, eh?

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

That is some dumb store policy! I can understand the woman being dubious about letting you into the female changing room presenting as male but surly it can't be legal for them to refuse to try on any blimin thing in the store that you intend to buy! Thank goodness the younger member of staff had a brain!

Glad you got your new dress and ended up having fun despite that first woman.

Gabe

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

GRRrrrrrrr~

THAT really cooks my grits!

Your money is just as good as anyone else in that store....

Dang idjits!

Donna Jean

[Guest Tara Jean]

That is some dumb store policy! I can understand the woman being dubious about letting you into the female changing room presenting as male but surly it can't be legal for them to refuse to try on any blimin thing in the store that you intend to buy! Thank goodness the younger member of staff had a brain!

Well I can attest that it is NOT a company policy. In fact, in most WM's there is only ONE set of changing rooms for both genders. It sounds more like the grumpy older one just didn't like the idea of a "guy" and a dress. The company's non discrimination policy is VERY clear on the subject and it wouldn't have happened in MY store. Of course, my store has the store manager struggling on how to deal with ME LOL. As I posted in an earlier post, the WM policy is to treat a person as the gender that they identify with. That goes for associates AND customers. The corperate has been sued too many times and takes it very seriously. If you won't want a confrontation in the store, just note the names of the people who helped/offended you and hop on the w##mart.com site and go to the customer service tab. There you can leave a complaint/commendation and tell them which specific store it was with names. I guarentee you, the person will be taken care of. Just insert an "al" in place of the number signs. I don't want to get in trouble for violating the "social media" policy. Good luck....

Tara

[Guest Emily H]

Just think, thirty years from now, the older lady, the older generation will be gone, and the younger lady will have replaced her, as our new generation replaces the old!

Or...will it? Because there are young kids, kind of near my age, who's parents have taught them, we are freaks, there is something wrong with us, we are messed up. Ah, poor brainwashed soul!

Whatever the future holds, the fact is that there is progress now, in the present! Good for you?

[Guest MelissaC]

Yes, I definitely don't think it was a real policy. It was likely just on grumpy old lady.

And I need to find my camera first, but there'll be pictures. For now everything's still in boxes because I just moved.

[Guest kylie666]

Yeah.. i work at walmart too and NO she can not stop you from taking a Dress into the Men's dressing room, Like she said most walmarts "Like my store" Have just 1 dressing room for both Women and Men so it does not even matter.

About a week ago i went into the dressing room myself with a lot of Women's clothes =P And the lady at the desk was fine about it, The only thing she asked me was "How many items do you have."

BTW "Tara Jean" How did you come out to walmart that you would be dressing as a girl at work and did they ever say NO you can't do that or anything, I am not 100% sure if i should start dressing at walmart or not BUT i really would like to wear my nail polish as i have only being able to wear it 1 day when i am off Or if i am luck 2 days off in a row, I use way to much polish this way and as of right now stopped putting on nail polish and i really HATE doing that, As i love my nail polish =)

I am still kind of new to Walmart and don't know How far i can take my dressing before they get mad at me, Only been working there for 5 weeks now.