shewhomust | Dignity - always dignity.

It must be school holidays: a notice has appeared next to the showers in the swimming pool changing rooms. "Users are requested to ensure that decency and discretion is exercised at all times." (Yes, it said "is". I think the "decency and discretion" bit is right, too, though as you see, I get confused, and start talking about dignity, and dulce et decorum...).

I have some idea what this means, as a similar notice at the other pool where we sometimes swim simply asks us to consider not removing swimming costumes in the shower (I've considered it; it isn't a good idea). More to the point, what it means - and this isn't just a guess, I asked - is that a father came swimming with a daughter too youg to be sent to change on her own, and realised that the changing rooms were full of Men With No Clothes On. And complained to the staff.

The staff could, at this point, have said "Well, d'uh." Except that they couldn't, of course, because Paedophiles Are Everywhere, and Our Children Must Be Protected. So they said the next best thing: "We'll put up a notice."

And put up a notice which doesn't mean anything, irritates those of us who decode it (one of the reasons why we swim in Chester-le-Street rather than in Durham is that the pool here has mixed changing, and you can't shower properly, and come home all sticky with chlorine), doesn't actually change anyone's behaviour - but demonstrates that Something Has Been Done.

I think I'd better go and lie down until the urge to write in capitals has passed.