Privacy pitfalls: How to stay safe in fitting rooms

We often try on different clothes in stores, including jackets, sweaters, pants, bras, or tight blouses. These moments are private; we usually don't want anyone to see us. Therefore, following a few rules is crucial to ensure our privacy remains intact.

During sales, which typically occur in January and June, we often encounter crowds and spend a lot of time in stores searching for the styles we like. We try on clothes to avoid having to return them and make another trip to the store if they don't fit.

However, amid this shopping rush, we often overlook the condition of the fitting room we use. This oversight can compromise our privacy, which can be easily breached in such busy places.

First, we should pay attention to the curtains in the fitting room. They provide essential privacy and should be tightly closed, with the material covering all the edges of the curtain rods. If the curtain is too narrow, standing on the side of the covered fitting room is advisable.

Importantly, many modern clothing stores now have doors in their fitting rooms. This solution offers much greater privacy than traditional curtains.

It's also worth checking the mirrors in the fitting room. Although they primarily serve us, they can also provide a view for others to see what's happening inside. Mirrors can reflect the interior image, allowing people passing by or waiting nearby to watch us without our knowledge.

Such situations are rare in large chain stores due to the high risk of losing reputation and potential penalties. However, the situation is different in smaller boutiques. You need to be aware of one-way mirrors in these places.

One-way glass is a mirror that allows viewing from the other side, although we believe it's a regular mirror. How can you check it? It's straightforward. Just place your finger against the mirror's surface. If there is a gap between your finger and its reflection, it is a regular mirror. If they touch directly, it's one-way glass.

Another method to detect one-way glass is by using a flashlight or camera. These tools are available in almost every modern smartphone. If you direct a flashlight's light at a real mirror, it will reflect off it. With one-way glass, the light will illuminate the area behind the glass. Similarly, if you point your phone's camera at the glass and it shows the fitting room's interior, it's a regular mirror. A lack of reflection indicates one-way glass.

By following these tips, we can effectively ensure our privacy while shopping. This awareness is often more important than finding bargain prices on clothes that interest us.