several of us were struck by a desire to use the rest rooms. (Speaking of which, an interesting term, isn't it? It never made sense to me
Ah, but did you know that the correct term for this ladies restroom is actually the Ladies Lounge? Or rather, it used to be.
When I was a small child in the 1970s, my mother used to drag me shopping with her to department stores like Nordstorms, May Co., Robinsons, and Broadway. These last three are southern California 1970s versions of Bloomingdale's and Macy's.
Hopelessly bored, I would complain of needing the restroom. Eventually, she'd agree and inquire of a sales drone as to the location of the Ladies Lounge. The drone would escort us to a double door archway with the Palmer script above, Ladies Lounge.
It looked pretty much like your pictures only busy. Women were smoking, talking, nursing, reading, showing off new clothes, etc. (perhaps not all at the same time). Some would be stretched out. Some would be sitting on comfy chairs near a bright light and table, doing their nails.
The idea is many decades old. We women must shop, says the idea, and shopping is an exhausting activity for us delicate creatures. However, it is in the store's interest to keep us there as long as possible. It wouldn't do for us to get tired and go home. Hence, the lounge.
You men, the stores decided, can suck it up. When at Nordstorms, the women are in control and Nordstorms knows whose ass it wants to kiss.
Women don't use these lounges much anymore. Indoor smoking is frowned upon in many places, which was a huge draw for them. Additionally, women have decided that they have other things to do than examine every piece of merchandise at May Co. So lounges have fallen into disrepair and most are now gone. You have gazed upon 20th century cultural history.
(I once asked my mother what would happen if she asked for the restroom or bathroom instead of ladies lounge. She told me that the drone would behave like we had flicked a booger on the floor and would decide that we were not the right class of people to shop there. I was too nervous to see if she was right.)
couches in the restroom
Ah, but did you know that the correct term for this ladies restroom is actually the Ladies Lounge? Or rather, it used to be.
When I was a small child in the 1970s, my mother used to drag me shopping with her to department stores like Nordstorms, May Co., Robinsons, and Broadway. These last three are southern California 1970s versions of Bloomingdale's and Macy's.
Hopelessly bored, I would complain of needing the restroom. Eventually, she'd agree and inquire of a sales drone as to the location of the Ladies Lounge. The drone would escort us to a double door archway with the Palmer script above, Ladies Lounge.
It looked pretty much like your pictures only busy. Women were smoking, talking, nursing, reading, showing off new clothes, etc. (perhaps not all at the same time). Some would be stretched out. Some would be sitting on comfy chairs near a bright light and table, doing their nails.
The idea is many decades old. We women must shop, says the idea, and shopping is an exhausting activity for us delicate creatures. However, it is in the store's interest to keep us there as long as possible. It wouldn't do for us to get tired and go home. Hence, the lounge.
You men, the stores decided, can suck it up. When at Nordstorms, the women are in control and Nordstorms knows whose ass it wants to kiss.
Women don't use these lounges much anymore. Indoor smoking is frowned upon in many places, which was a huge draw for them. Additionally, women have decided that they have other things to do than examine every piece of merchandise at May Co. So lounges have fallen into disrepair and most are now gone. You have gazed upon 20th century cultural history.
(I once asked my mother what would happen if she asked for the restroom or bathroom instead of ladies lounge. She told me that the drone would behave like we had flicked a booger on the floor and would decide that we were not the right class of people to shop there. I was too nervous to see if she was right.)