Public restroom-be very aware of your surroundings

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Never try to think about the logic of someone who does something wrong. Here's a prime example... you mention a criminal would want to choose someone "frail-looking". Here's a 24yo woman attacked in a gym. She doesn't look "frail" to me. Why attack someone who could probably beat the snot out of you?

He admitted he planned to sexually assault her and the other woman whose apartment he entered but was also scared off from. It wasn't about beating her nor an assumption that she could beat him up. He had been at that gym before.

 

[Living42Day]

Never try to think about the logic of someone who does something wrong. Here's a prime example... you mention a criminal would want to choose someone "frail-looking". Here's a 24yo woman attacked in a gym. She doesn't look "frail" to me. Why attack someone who could probably beat the snot out of you?
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/new...cker-while-alone-gym-man-charged/11276335002/

Did you see this on Live PD? I can't read the article but that sounds like it was the Crime of the Night segment last night.

Based on some responses to this thread, he was probably just making sure she was ok and wanted to assist in spotting her for her weight lifting. /sarcasm

 

[Karin1984]

Never try to think about the logic of someone who does something wrong. Here's a prime example... you mention a criminal would want to choose someone "frail-looking". Here's a 24yo woman attacked in a gym. She doesn't look "frail" to me. Why attack someone who could probably beat the snot out of you?
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2023/02/17/brave-woman

What i meant is predators out on a hunt will usually go for an easy target. Frail was a wrong choice of words.
The girl in the video was an easy target in his mind, as she was in a locked space, alone, and she was trapped in a corner (At a quiet time of day?)

It was definitely stupid on his side. Not all predators are smart.

With the limited time the man in OP's story had and being with her husband in a busy area, I consider her less of an easy target.

 

[sam_gordon]

This past week, we drove to Michigan for a funeral, & we were so excited to find a Bucees in Kentucky. We had no idea that they were that far north!

Opened about a year ago I think. Exit 83 on I75 for anyone travelling that way.

Also, for those that are wondering about America, I’ve never felt the need for my husband to walk me to a restroom and/or stand guard while I was in the restroom.

I have waited outside a bathroom for my wife, but not to "stand guard", just because I have to wait somewhere. lol

Did you see this on Live PD? I can't read the article but that sounds like it was the Crime of the Night segment last night.

Based on some responses to this thread, he was probably just making sure she was ok and wanted to assist in spotting her for her weight lifting. /sarcasm

I saw it on USA Today. But the video is all over if you want to watch... https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tampa+woman+fights+attacker+at+gym

What i meant is predators out on a hunt will usually go for an easy target. Frail was a wrong choice of words.
The girl in the video was an easy target in his mind, as she was in a locked space, alone, and she was trapped in a corner (At a quiet time of day?)

It was definitely stupid on his side. Not all predators are smart.

With the limited time the man in OP's story had and being with her husband in a busy area, I consider her less of an easy target.

Again, you're putting YOUR thoughts & logic into someone else's head. As you point out, "not all predators are smart". Either way, ANYONE looking over a bathroom stall is "wrong" (without attempting verbal communication first).

 

[thinkerbell]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of the support. You have been very kind in your comments. This happened mid-strip at a nicer resort. I’m not sure about putting the name. The security guy said that it was definitely not representative of what happens at their resort. It could easily have happened anywhere. I’m a bit anxious and my husband is protective (not controlling at all). That is the only reason he usually goes with me. Someone asked what I do when I go somewhere by myself. I don’t go anywhere by myself if I can help it. My husband was in the hospital last year (I was allowed to stay with him) and I had to go pick up some birthday cards and I had a bit of a situation then and haven’t been anywhere by myself since. Thankfully we have the luxury of being together all of the time. We used to work together and now we are retired together.

To address Karin1984…There were no noises coming from my stall other than using the bathroom (liquid hitting the water) nor were there any that I remember from the stall he was in. Even if there were, as others have said, there is absolutely NO reason for ANYONE to look over the stall wall. I am totally convinced that he knew exactly which bathroom he was in. As someone else stated about most restrooms, I had to pass the men’s restroom first. They were clearly marked. I stated exactly what happened. I didn’t feel that I was exaggerating or being dramatic at all. I have reread my post and can’t see where it sounds like “hyperbolic language”…had to look that up, by the way. I’m not trying to instill fear in anyone, just awareness as I stated in my post. I appreciate others reminders, awareness posts, life experiences so I was just sharing mine.

 

[thinkerbell]

This is why I asked what casino this was. I've been to Vegas plenty of times and we stick to the major strip properties. I have never, ever even remotely felt unsafe using the restroom alone at any of them. I am curious where this happened, but of course, OP hasn't answered...

I sent you a pm. It wasn’t a podunk casino. See above post.

 

[Dznypal]

sorry this happened to you--its really scary to be put in an uncomfortable position with basically no way out

I have 2 issues--the first was at at a bar grill type of place--there were 3 men dressed and acting like women going into the womens bathroom which I also had to use--I decided to wait until they left before I went int
Im sorry but I did not feel comfortable with them in there --anything could have happened--Im taking care of business with my jeans around my knees and 3 men dressed as women--
My daughter was a manager there and she actually got an attitude with me that I didnt go in there with these guys--sorry but I take care of myself--if I dont feel comfortable Im not going in it really bothered me that she thought I was wrong for doing what I did--

the other story was we were at a dept store--I was in the bathroom and just left the stall while washing my hands I happened to look up and in the reflection of the mirror I could tell it was a guy in the stall taking care of things with the door wide open--
I finaished with my hands and left and told hubby what was going on--while we were talking a young girl around 14 went in--with hubby just outside the door I went back in--I didnt want the young girl in there by herself--
she left and so did I we went to the cuntomer service desk with the concerns--the store knew of this person and usually has someone with him to take to the bathroom but for some reason even though they were at the store together they didnt take him to the bathroom--not sure why but it sure can scare a person especially in this world you have to watch out for yourself--

 

[lowlight]

I'm not sure whether I'm more shocked that a man was in a woman's restroom and peeped over the stall at a woman at a casino with a million cameras, or that a man was in a woman's restroom and peeped over the stall at a woman at a casino with a million cameras and has a bunch of people defending his weirdo actions on the interwebs.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Dh and I have a trip planned to Las Vegas later this year. Thank you so much for letting us know that it is now legal for men to enter women's restrooms! When in a public area I will make sure dh stands outside if I need to use it and he will also enter if he sees a man go in. So sorry this happened to you.

People are allowed to use single stalled restrooms with full locking doors on them of the opposite sex. But they aren't allowed to use the typical multi stalled restroom with latching flimsy partitions of the opposite sex. It appears from the OP that either the casino didn't fully understand the rules or just didn't want to bother.

As for the guy that peeked over the stall, given that he ran like a bat out of Hades, I'd conclude he was up to no good. I mean we all learned not to peak over or under the stalls by age 10 did we not?

 

[PollyannaMom]

As for the guy that peeked over the stall, given that he ran like a bat out of Hades, I'd conclude he was up to no good. I mean we all learned not to peak over or under the stalls by age 10 did we not?

Agreed. I don't know whether he was a peeping Tom, a potential purse-snatcher, or what, but he clearly knew he didn't want to get caught!

 

[Imzadi]

Sorry OP that this has happened to you. It does sound terrifying and very violating to look up and have this happen to you.

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm always paranoid (and sadly, have come to accept it) that some creepy person has put in a camera in there. You hear stories about that on the news from time to time, so I think it probably happens more than we even know. I don't know if he was after your purse or what, but I think that would've been terrifying and I'm glad you were able to scream to scare him off and get others' attention.

Yes, I thought the OP was going to say she saw a camera recording her. That would be violating enough, let alone see an actual person peering over.

The local news has mentioned a few times to not to hang one's purse on the top hook the back of a stall door, if there is an upper & lower hook. Although, a thief who snatches bags regularly from bathrooms probably has practiced lifting up the strap, and pulling it forward, then up again, to bypass the top hook. No need to peer over from the neighboring stall to steal a bag.

And have you ever noticed most Womens Restrooms are located so that we have to walk past the Mens and we are usually next to the emergency exit door .

I have noticed how the womens room is often down the far end of a lonely corridor, yes, past the men's room, (where a predator could be waiting inside and peering out as a woman passes, to jump her from behind,) and often in the dead end area of the corridor, so there is only ONE way for a woman to run and escape, and possibly have the way barred by the attacker. Also, not likely that someone would randomly pass by as a woman is screaming or being raped inside those womens room. It would likely be only when another woman is going to the bathroom that she'd hear screams.

A few weeks ago, here in NYC, it was announced that new restrooms are being put in various subway stations. They are all UNATTENDED by employees. We already have problems of predators grabbing women and dragging them off, down in the subway platforms to rape them.

I rolled my eyes when I heard about the new bathrooms, as now the predators have a whole empty, open room to attack a woman without witnesses or possibly help for her.

Sure enough, 3 DAYS AGO, the news reported how a woman was almost raped in a subway bathroom.
https://nypost.com/2023/02/16/homeless-career-criminal-accused-of-trying-to-rape-nyc-woman/

PSA: For your own safety, there are safer bathrooms if (general) you really need to go while out and about. There are plenty of Starbucks cafes with bathrooms open to the public, above ground, with plenty of pedestrians around (hopefully not IN the bathroom with you. ) Or bars or restaurants or hotels where you can enter to use their bathrooms.

 

[NotUrsula]

A few years ago the St. Louis airport police arrested a woman who had an interesting purse-snatching M.O. She would jump up and crawl from stall to stall along the top in women's restrooms, lifting purses from hooks as she went. Apparently her victims were usually too shocked to see someone crawling up there to react in time (assuming that they could, given where they were.)

 

[mousefan73]

Question from the US: What is going on in Europe that it would be a totally normal for a man to peek over a stall at another person (male or female) while they are using the restroom?

simply doesnt happen as they know how to build bathrooms with privacy in europe

 

[Pink Partridge]

To me it's quite a stretch that this man is up to no good.

It's actually NOT a stretch at all. The man invaded a private space of the OP, knowing her pants would likely be half down.

OP, I am so sorry this happened to you. What a scary experience.

 

[Alicefan]

We don't know how the OP sounded to the man in the stall. For all we know she made sounds that were unusual or sounded as if she was in pain. It's Vegas, maybe the man was intoxicated just a little (could explain his sounds).

To me it's quite a stretch that this man is up to no good. It's a busy night at a casino, there is an employee working there, women (and apparently men) can walk in and out constantly. There are only a few seconds available.
Option 1: He is a peeping tom. Not likely. He would have been in the bathroom the entire evening and probably looking through the gaps at the door, as there is less risk, and a better view.
Option 2: He wanted to do more than just peep. Unlikely, as he has a better chance overpowering her when she comes and and push her back in. But if he wanted to overpower a woman, he would probably have chosen a frail-looking woman. (like the girl in Florida the previous poster referred to)
Option 3: He wanted to steel her purse. It then doesn't make sense to look over the bathroom wall when the intent is to steal, as you probably cannot reach a purse on a floor, on the lap or hanging at the door. You have a better chance to kneel and reach from under the door, if the purse is on the floor. And there must be better ways in Vegas to pickpocket and steel purses, as everyone is focused on their games.

I don't want to diminish the OP's feelings and that she got scared by suddenly seeing a man's face where it shouldn't be. It's described as a horror story, which maybe it was to the OP, but with what really happened, I have no reason to believe that the man was up to no good, and instead it could be a mistake.

This has got to be the most stretching, ridiculous post I've seen in a while. Good grief, when was the last time you made a mistake and used the men's room and then hopped up on the toilet seat to take a gander at the person beside you for making unusually loud noises? That's plain comical. How you find a way to make an argument over any of this is baffling to me. More than likely the guy was looking over from the back to check for a purse hanging on the door without much risk of being seen. I don't know or care what his reasoning for being there was, there's no reason for him to have been there doing that. Period. The woman was watched while her pants were around her ankles, and there is no way to make that no big deal or poor guy must've been misunderstood lol.

 

[Alicefan]

Sorry that happened to you OP.

However I’m on the side of others that think it’s so weird that husband waits outside the washroom.
What do you do when out without him?
That behaviour seems rather controlling. It’s never crossed my mind to have my husband do this.

My husband always waits for me. Nothing controlling about not wanting to lose me in the store and spend the next 15 minutes searching up and down the isles for each other. We came to the store together, we like to leave together.

 

[Marrila]

Sorry that happened to you OP.

However I’m on the side of others that think it’s so weird that husband waits outside the washroom.
What do you do when out without him?
That behaviour seems rather controlling. It’s never crossed my mind to have my husband do this.

Really? Controlling??
Lots of folks wait for a spouse or friend. It happens all the time at WDW. And yes, people do the same in Vegas. It's easier to find each other and get on with our day together.
When on our own? We use the facilities and leave.

 

[Alicefan]

I'm not sure whether I'm more shocked that a man was in a woman's restroom and peeped over the stall at a woman at a casino with a million cameras, or that a man was in a woman's restroom and peeped over the stall at a woman at a casino with a million cameras and has a bunch of people defending his weirdo actions on the interwebs.

Right? I think we've seen enough evidence lately on how cameras seem to have no effect in deterring criminals. How many videos do we see showing blatant theft and a clear shot of the perps face? People just don't care about being caught. They're going to do what they're going to do. A criminal knows the risk, but yet they still make decisions on a daily basis to go ahead with the risk. I mean, if "cameras everywhere" was supposed to be the deterrent, then Vegas would be a crime free city lol.

 

[Alicefan]

People are allowed to use single stalled restrooms with full locking doors on them of the opposite sex. But they aren't allowed to use the typical multi stalled restroom with latching flimsy partitions of the opposite sex. It appears from the OP that either the casino didn't fully understand the rules or just didn't want to bother.

As for the guy that peeked over the stall, given that he ran like a bat out of Hades, I'd conclude he was up to no good. I mean we all learned not to peak over or under the stalls by age 10 did we not?

No no, the OP's screams scared the poor chap lol.

 

[Karin1984]

Really? Controlling??
Lots of folks wait for a spouse or friend. It happens all the time at WDW. And yes, people do the same in Vegas. It's easier to find each other and get on with our day together.
When on our own? We use the facilities and leave.

The OP has her partner wait because of a safety issue, not for convenience.