No space, leave the place (Full Version)

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Mercnbeth -> No space, leave the place (3/28/2005 4:21:03 PM)

Every so often a business luncheon or seminar actually provides useful information. This came from an Insurance conference on security issues and harassment lawsuits. I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror.... Often heard about the 2-way mirror but could never tell. So, I thought you might be interested.

Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (I.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it.

So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at? Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, FOR IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR! " No Space, Leave the Place" So remember, every time you see a Mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

Remember: "No Space, Leave the Place"



proudsub -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/28/2005 4:59:14 PM)

I had heard this before but forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder Merc. So besides leaving the room what should a woman do? complain to management? or is it all legal?



Mercnbeth -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/28/2005 5:09:20 PM)

quote:

or is it all legal?


NOT legal in CA, but can't speak for all jurisdictions. They did say something that some places can do it if it's disclosed to the user. But the bigger problem is the micro cameras. They put these behind the mirror and scratch a small space need for the lens. Without looking very close, it's easy to miss and really just looks like a place in the mirror where the reflective material just wore off.

This is a big liability for the companies, who are responsible even if one of their employees is the pervert and it's not company "policy". The presenter said that as many as 25% of the bathrooms in LA public facilities such as clubs, bars, etc. have these. You don't hear about it because the perpetrator keeps the pics and is smart enough to keep it quiet.

Scary huh? I'm having beth only go to the bathroom outside from now on - no mirrors!! (lol)



MistressJadeMTL -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/29/2005 7:54:24 PM)

Hi there,

I heard this one a few years back as well, but there is a certain bit of misinformation regarding "first-surface" and "transparent" mirrors that people should be aware of, regarding this "myth".

The following excerpt is from the Snopes Urban Legends website:

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/mirror.asp



The fingernail test described above is a method for determining the difference between first-surface mirrors and second-surface mirrors, both of which are ordinary mirrors glazed in a different fashion. With a first-surface mirror, any object you put up against it will touch its reflection because the reflective part of mirror is laid in right at the surface. With a second-surface mirror, a gap between the object and its reflection will be visible because a layer of clear glass has been incorporated over the reflective part of the mirror to better protect it. First-surface looking glasses are quite expensive and are generally used only for specialized applications such as fine optical instruments or lasers, in which a protective layer of glass would interfere with the path of light or diminish precision. As such, you're unlikely to ever encounter one being used as an ordinary mirror in a home or a dressing room; for those applications much cheaper second-surface mirrors are nearly always used.

Therefore, if you discover what appears to be a first-surface mirror (i.e., an object you place up against its touches its reflection) in a dressing room, the chances are good it's a transparent mirror. However, the fingernail test isn't necessarily a very good one — judging whether an object placed up against such a mirror is touching its reflection can be affected by factors such as the size of the mirror, the angle of the mirror, the amount of lighting present, and the type of object used to conduct the test, and an unpracticed observer might easily mistake an ordinary mirror for a transparent one this way. (Ascertaining "the nature of the suspect surface by hurling an object at it" could be quite embarrassing and costly should it prove to be an ordinary mirror.) There are better tests based on some of the more obvious physical features of transparent mirrors. .


Just thought that people should be aware of the whole truth regarding this snippet and make a more informed decision if they feel they are in this situation...


Edited to add URL and trim the pasted portion of the article, on account of that was no snippet, that was the whole article.



EmeraldSlave2 -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/29/2005 8:02:12 PM)

If I ever get so paranoid in my life that I feel I have to check the mirror in public bathrooms on a regular basis, I'm moving to Antarctica.



FangsNfeet -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/29/2005 8:25:56 PM)

I have nothing to hide. If you really want to watch me I'll leave the door open.



proudsub -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/29/2005 11:53:25 PM)

quote:

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/mirror.asp

Thanks that was interesting.



brightspot -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/30/2005 1:10:17 AM)

I hate to admit this...but I always pack sheets
and duck tape and hang them over the mirrors.
I just feel so much more comfortable. I bring or
buy a cheap full length mirror, just incase I want
some reflection.

But there are cameras made so damn small now
they can be hidden anywhere. To me it's nerve
wracking, so I spend very little time in hotel-motels
anymore.....Used to love to go to the Fantasy Suites[&:].

*Brightspot



MzBerlin -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/30/2005 2:47:00 AM)

I guess I'm the only shameless exhibitionist.......
*blush*

B



siamsa24 -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/30/2005 2:49:16 AM)

Nope, you're not the only one. I figure that if someone wants to see me and is interested enough to keep watching (I'm really quite a boring person [:)] ) then alright. As long as it doesn't end up on the internet or on some strange DVD I'm alright with at (if I am going to be sold I at least want a cut [:D] )



cynthiamarie -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/30/2005 9:23:43 AM)

*blushes* i'm going to start rapping on the glass and cupping my hands to see through it, lol. My body is mine, and nobody's going to see it without my consent.

*considers bringing cloth and duct tape, lol...thanks for the idea*



harmony3709 -> RE: No space, leave the place (3/30/2005 11:23:57 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

quote:

or is it all legal?


NOT legal in CA, but can't speak for all jurisdictions. They did say something that some places can do it if it's disclosed to the user.


Here in the Chicago area, I have seen signs on some retails stores (usually upscale) that say the dressing rooms are "monitored". Is that disclosing that there are two-way mirrors or cameras? I have to admit, I have been reluctant to use these dressing rooms in case that is what it meant, but was never really sure.

Thanks for the test. I'm not sure if it would keep me from trying something on if I really wanted to, but I would at least want to know that someone is looking or filming.

harmony



MizSuz -> RE: No space, leave the place (4/1/2005 6:00:59 AM)

It's not a fool proof way to detect a one way mirror, but it does work.

I HATE to shop and find the whole dressing room tango trying to find something that fits my odd shaped body to be nothing short of low-end trauma. I've been doing the fingernail test for years and have refused to use some dressing rooms for that reason.

I'm an exhibitionist too, but getting MY kicks involves me knowing that others are looking. Thinking that someone may be sitting behind a monitor watching me, without my consent, and I have no clue who it is just squicks me.

If they want to watch then they need to obtain my permission first. I don't want anyone standing outside my apartment looking into my windows either. It's just creepy.

I've already got one stalker, I don't need another.



MsSilvie -> RE: No space, leave the place (4/1/2005 7:26:42 AM)

I'm thinking most places these days probably use a surveillance camera rather than the two way mirrors. The advantages being that you don't have to pay someone to sit behind each mirror at all times monitoring the area, as well as having a video record that can be examined by other people if need be.



LuvSponge -> RE: No space, leave the place (5/12/2005 6:09:39 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: I've already got one stalker, I don't need another.


I wasn't within 500 miles, I swear.



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