Clothing store owners: Why?

shabbatiscoming

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 3:39 pm

amother [ Watermelon ] wrote:

Is it that bad to be from the older generation that uses the mikvah?
Most people over 50 don't use the mikvah anymore.

Women hit menopause at so many different ages, many many over 50. Not sure where you are getting this information from.

shabbatiscoming

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 3:41 pm

Also, a question, all of these stores, with no mirrors in them, are these heimish stores? The stores that I shop in, here in Israel, the vast majority of them have mirrors in each stall. So maybe this is a frum owned stores issue?

amother

Rose

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 3:45 pm

amother [ Watermelon ] wrote:

Older. How many more years do you think you'll be using the mikvah?

O. M. G.

What in the world?!?!

Did someone actually just post that?!

amother

DarkRed

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 3:51 pm

shabbatiscoming wrote:

Pretty much. Every non-Jewish store I’ve been in had mirrors in the dressing room. The bigger department stores (that I’ve been to) even had mirrors with fancy lighting so you could see how the clothing would like under different lights. It’s mostly only in heimish stores that full-length mirrors aren’t a thing.

shabbatiscoming

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 3:55 pm

amother [ DarkRed ] wrote:

Got it. Now I get why I never heard of this. I shop in malls and chain stores here in Israel. So I had never really experienced this.

amother

Glitter

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 4:02 pm

amother [ DarkGreen ] wrote:

Anon because this is specific to me.

I manage a mikvah. We were told to remove the full length mirrors from the prep rooms (and only have ones to check your face) because many women felt it was not tzanuah to have to be that close to a full length mirror and see themselves naked with no where else to look. Which is all sorts of messed up but whatever.

So I imagine the same goes for some frum clothing stores. Women do not want to be in a small area with no where else to look but at a mirror where they will see themselves undressed. Truth is, I am overweight and I get kind of down when I see myself undressed and it does not put me in the best mindset to spend on myself, it more makes me think "you are a fat pig, you should lose weight and not buy things now". So I can see a thought that it's better for spenders to see themselves only looking fab in the new clothes and not undressed, so they put a mirror right outside the dressing room.

Not saying I agree, but it's what I bet the thought is.

How is that halachically permitable? How do they check their backs?

amother

Daffodil

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 6:00 pm

Not really related to fitting room mirrors at this point, but the average age for menopause (defined as no period for 12 months) is 51, so sometimes it happens earlier and sometimes later. After age 55 is considered "late onset" menopause. In the past, some Imas were confused because fertility drops off after your early 40's, and they didn't know that cycles continue for a while after that. Maybe this is more of the same.

Bnei Berak 10

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 6:05 pm

amother [ DarkGreen ] wrote:

OK sorry, what? Women use the mikvah for a long time for various reasons. One rebbitzen had a late menopause issue (I cant remember the name) and was in her 60s and still used the mikvah. She insisted on going the normal time and had no issue with being seen because she wanted to smash the stigma (and she is chassidish and totally my role model).

I like the rebbetzins attitude!

amother

Vanilla

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 6:19 pm

amother [ Rose ] wrote:

We all agree with the OP...

Yet, how many have actually told the store owners?

I have and will continue to do so.

If the potential customers don't say anything to them but just to everyone else..well then...

I see this on a constant basis. With any variety of problems: People talk about an issue with all-aside from the subject at hand, who is the one who can and needs to make the change. (Or not, and then you can continue to be uncomfortable or not shop there, lol)!

Speak up when necessary all you wonderful women! Be heard.

I spoke up to the store owner at my favorite store in Lakewood and she laughed in my face and told me there are no mirrors in the dressing rooms because they want people to take quicker. Which is totally backwards because if you need to leave the dressing room for each skirt and shirt it would take 10x longer.

amother

Bluebell

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 6:25 pm

amother [ Watermelon ] wrote:

Is it that bad to be from the older generation that uses the mikvah?
Most people over 50 don't use the mikvah anymore.

Does that mean I don’t have to use the mikvah anymore? I’m over 50

amother

Cornsilk

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 6:35 pm

amother [ Vanilla ] wrote:

This actually makes sense that it's the reason, because it's impossible to get into a dressing room in Lakewood stores! There are lines out the dressing room! It's so annoying!!!

RandomJewishmom

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 10:22 pm

amother [ Garnet ] wrote:

There are certain stores that would do so much more business if they made it more comfortable for people to shop there.

100%. But I guess It's hard to run a store and be on top of so many things, so it's important to speak up and give your opinion.

Ema of 5

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 10:31 pm

amother [ Watermelon ] wrote:

Older. How many more years do you think you'll be using the mikvah?

Not very long. Either I’m going to get pregnant soon-ish, or I’m going to put in an iud and be done wit it until menopause. If I left it to nature, my guess would be for sure over 10 years, probably somewhere in between 15-20 more years.

amother

Bronze

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 10:42 pm

amother [ Oatmeal ] wrote:

No, but the mikvah lady can. And if you wear a robe when brushing your hair, it's not getting on your body anyhow.

Why would I want the mikva lady staring at my behind if I can just look in the mirror?
When I wash my hair in the shower, I shed some hair so it's still getting on my body if I comb wearing a robe.

Thankfully my mikvah has full length mirrors!

observer

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 10:50 pm

amother [ Carnation ] wrote:

This plus also they're being cheap. Costs less to put 1 outside instead of 1 in each cubicle.

But they don't come out ahead after losing all those potential sales.

amother

Bronze

Wed, Jan 19 2022, 10:55 pm

amother [ Watermelon ] wrote:

Older. How many more years do you think you'll be using the mikvah?

Oh, let's see if you still think it's older when you're 40 lol LOL

Ftr, my mother is in her sixties and still goes to the mikvah. Not every month, but she still goes.

I am in my 40s and bh pregnant now so I have a break, but will probably be going for many more years!!