Mixed shower room / locker room

I would have absolutely no problem with it. None at all.That's a little odd, snoozie. I wouldn't think that shaving your legs, or especially your pubes, would be something you would do that often in a public locker-room type of situation, but more of a home-alone thing. Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but I was thinking more of a locker room at the gym or the pool. But as long as you aren't shaving your legs at the same time, I'll shower with you any day. I'll even lather up your back for you!

Yes! Absolutely. Some things just seem to demand privacy. I don't know how men tolerate peeing at a public urinal. I don't mind people hearing what I'm doing, however I have to have my private stall. I doubt I could urinate in front of curious strangers myself.

I haven't read the thread yet, but I wanted to post up while I'm thinking about it...

The mentality that I know would be because they were being all three -- polite, embarrassed, and afraid of being aroused. In my case (despite my vote of "comfortable, would do it readily"), it would be in this order: 1. Polite; 2. Afraid of being aroused (which, to me, is part of politeness; it seems rude to show a boner to someone who might not want it); and 3. Embarrassed.

Around here in the U.S., we are routinely portrayed as enemies of women. Rapists, murderers, molesters, all of that stuff. We have a cable TV network that thrives on those kinds of stories, and it's a "women's channel".

Therefore, if a strange man -- or even a casual acquaintance -- tries to enter a bathroom that's already occupied by a woman, then "surely" he must have sex (or possibly even violent sexual abuse) on his mind.

At least that's how the stereotypes and prejudices say it is.

So, in deference to that kind of fear, we would rather just duck out and "be polite" to the woman.

Oh my....

Cool, glad to see (now that I've read the other posts so far) that I'm not the only one making this point.

Whoops, okay, I will clarify. I think the OP was speaking of hostels in Europe, so that, pretty much, that was your only option for any sort of cleaning/hygeine. On further thought, in that situation, I'd probably shower that way rather than go without, but I would be terribly self-conscious. And you're right, maybe I'd save shaving the legs for basin in my room.

In the gym, I'm just glad my YMCA has separate stalls for showering. Changing in the open I don't mind so much, but I am so self-conscious of my body. If there were men in there, to be honest, I'd be terrified.

Okay, I'll take you up on that, but I still have about 3-6 months of getting in shape to do!

I don't mind the thought of coed shower rooms and such, but I might lose control while soaping up and washing my penis and balls.

I usually fit in and do whatever.

I am a nudist, but would not ever want to be nude at anything other than accepted venues. When it comes to communal showers I happily use them for a quick shower, but having a good wash I would prefer privacy really so would like a shower cubicle for preference.

The other factor is that generally in my limited experience ladies toilets/changingrooms/showers are nicer places than mens, so would prefer them to be segregated by sex for that reason, not because I am offended by nudity.

I've never used a unisex shower but I wouldn't have a problem with it.I know the Glastonbury Festival showers used to be unisex,maybe I'll check them out when I'm there next month.

I hadn't thought about that - wow that must be a bit of a bummer - I've heard the feminst maxim 'every man is a potential rapist', but I don't believe it, I didn't think anyone else did either!

Absolutely agree - as an aside, the toilets in some hostels were segregated, if there happened to be two 'heads' per floor, then in others there was just one room of stalls - all the hostels I stayed in were women's dorms in term time so no urinals - just stalls - no one seemed to have a problem with the toilet setup...

now now kids.... actually in my experience women do shave legs/underarms/pubes in comunal showers, as part of a normal hygene routine, when they need to. And this was a hot sticky summer in Eastern Europe and this was the only shower setup available to a bunch of backpackers. I shaved my regular shave in the mixed showers, more than once, and didn't feel self-conscious

I repeat, bummer!

On all hostelers being 17-26:
Yes is right - there were some very lovely sights to be seen... if only I'd had the confidence I have now *sigh*