I used to love the Washington Baths.. I haven't been back in a couple years 1) because of an…read moreexperience I had the last time I was there; and 2) they are kind of rude.
As another reviewer pointed out, when you walk in, the desk person ( who was not typically warm or welcoming ) asks which locker room you would like to use, men's or women's. As a cisgender woman who identifies as female I said, "the women's."
While I was using the baths, I noticed an older man in a speedo. (I only noticed because he was an older man in a speedo.)
Later, when I exited the women's sauna, he was walking in. I was startled and kind of jumped and must've exclaimed something -- mostly because I thought I had somehow walked into the men's sauna. He said, in kind of a creepy whisper, "No, no it's OK."
And actually, in that moment, it was not OK. At no time was this person female presenting or lacking male anatomy. He (they?) was clearly creeping. No matter how he identified, I doubt his safety would not have been compromised in the men's locker room.
Either have gendered locker rooms or don't, but if I choose the women's locker room, it's because I would like to be in a women's (cis or trans -- I don't care) locker room without men (cis or trans). If they cared about women's (cis or trans) safety, they would just have an all-gender locker room, or offer a non-binary choice. What's the point of gendered locker rooms?
Also, you pay $300+ for a 10 pass card, and they can't be bothered to keep a record for you. At one point, I thought my wallet had been stolen with my pass in it. I still had eight uses on it, and they were like " yeah, no sorry it's gone" (my wallet eventually turned up).
The Luddite technology for that kind of accounting is an index card box. The technology that's been around for 30 years is a barcoded loyalty/membership card.
Every once in a while, I think I want to head over there, and maybe I will one day. The facilities are nice, and it's just the kind of thing you want on a cold or rainy night, but the vibe is totally hit or miss.