Imagine this scene: you are standing in a fitting room, evaluating the fit and style of that brand-new swimsuit or those trendy jeans. Suddenly, from the other side of the parchment-thin fitting-room wall, you hear two people having a profanity-laden argument. A moment later, a stranger's head pokes through the curtain of your cubicle. Next, a discarded pair of trousers flies over the dividing wall.
"What's next?" you say to yourself. "Whatever happened to common courtesy?"
As a convenience to shoppers, many stores still offer private fitting rooms. Certainly, consumers need a secluded personal space to try on garments before purchasing. However, several unspoken rules consistently apply in this environment. Perhaps it's time to ponder these:
1. Cubicle conversations are not private, so it's important to use soft voices. The fitting room is not a broadcasting booth.
2. Cell phone conversations should be quiet as well. The fitting room is not a phone booth, either.
3. If a door or curtain is closed, that cubicle is very likely occupied. People generally do not like to be startled in a state of undress.
4. A parent should accompany a young child in a fitting room. This is a safety issue, and children may need assistance with clothing fasteners, hangers, and decision-making.
5. Customers should leave fitting rooms at least as neat as they found them.
6. Rejected garments should be placed back on the appropriate hangers and returned to the attendant, the garment rack by the fitting room door, or the right department.
7. Make-up stains can ruin garments, so it's important to be careful - particularly with collars and necklines.
8. Gentleness will prevent rips, tears, and missing buttons. (If a garment is found to be damaged, a courteous shopper will point this out to a store employee, so the item can be mended before re-stocking.)
9. If a line is forming outside the fitting rooms, those inside should be prompt about clothing changes.
10. Food and drink are not allowed in most clothing stores, so they do not belong in fitting rooms, either.
"What's next?" you say to yourself. "Whatever happened to common courtesy?"
As a convenience to shoppers, many stores still offer private fitting rooms. Certainly, consumers need a secluded personal space to try on garments before purchasing. However, several unspoken rules consistently apply in this environment. Perhaps it's time to ponder these:
1. Cubicle conversations are not private, so it's important to use soft voices. The fitting room is not a broadcasting booth.
2. Cell phone conversations should be quiet as well. The fitting room is not a phone booth, either.
3. If a door or curtain is closed, that cubicle is very likely occupied. People generally do not like to be startled in a state of undress.
4. A parent should accompany a young child in a fitting room. This is a safety issue, and children may need assistance with clothing fasteners, hangers, and decision-making.
5. Customers should leave fitting rooms at least as neat as they found them.
6. Rejected garments should be placed back on the appropriate hangers and returned to the attendant, the garment rack by the fitting room door, or the right department.
7. Make-up stains can ruin garments, so it's important to be careful - particularly with collars and necklines.
8. Gentleness will prevent rips, tears, and missing buttons. (If a garment is found to be damaged, a courteous shopper will point this out to a store employee, so the item can be mended before re-stocking.)
9. If a line is forming outside the fitting rooms, those inside should be prompt about clothing changes.
10. Food and drink are not allowed in most clothing stores, so they do not belong in fitting rooms, either.
Comments
Great article, Linda. I just published a "quiz" on this same topic. I am one of the poor souls who has to clean out fitting rooms! Woe is me!
Serena
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/14/2008
Thank you for this article! I hope all those people that let their little brats crawl under the fitting rooms read this. There's nothing worse than changing your clothes and having some little kid pop his head in or crawl into your room. Most parents don't even apologize for their child's behavior.
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