Hello everyone. Welcome back to my participation in the Ladies of Hive community. This week I have the pleasure of looking back at my young adult life during my early career. I'll also divulge how I happened upon my username by accident.

What is your most embarrassing moment that you can't forget?

Silence is golden. At least that's what I've been taught all my life. Some teachings I embrace wholeheartedly. This particular one probably helped me overcome an extremely embarrassing moment.

^{Free Image by myjanitors at Pixabay}

My first major job in the career I chose and intended to spend the rest of my life starting off pleasant enough that Monday morning.

The new employee orientation on days one and two were exciting in that I learned all there was to know about the benefits of working in a corporate environment.

Day three.

I woke excited as this was to be my first official day on the job. Instructions given me were to report to my department in the company's adjacent building. Never would I have thought that office floor arrangements would be different. I just assumed all the company's buildings had the same layout.

The receptionist greeted and guided me to my department. My supervisor was in a meeting, and I didn't know anyone.

I began organizing my desk. About an hour later, I asked a passerby which direction was the ladies room. She pointed to the other side of the floor, together with a useful tip. To save time, I should enter and exit the service elevator area that connected both sides of the floor.

I entered the service area. Immediately upon opening the door to the other side, I saw the restroom black and white symbol. I opened the door and hurried inside. Looking down as I usually do, nothing seemed out of order.

Suddenly, I looked up and immediately realized that everything looked different. Straight ahead were urinals, then stalls. I remember feeling as though I was about to faint. I didn't turn around. Instead I silently backed up toward the door thinking a gentleman was there also.

As soon as I entered the hall, I looked around and saw a male coming toward me. I was frantic thinking he'd spotted me come out of the men's restroom. I was upset at myself the remainder of the day.

You have to understand that the time was in the early 70s. After the incident, I was always careful to double check myself and look up before opening doors. I continue that to this day.

However, I became upset that the men's restroom was immediately next to the ladies. Whenever I entered the ladies' facilities, I could clearly hear the men's conversations, laughing, flushing. I was paranoid. Whenever I was there, I kept quiet. Then, I wondered if other women noticed the same thing or had the same experience. No one talked about it.

Of course, I never told anyone what happened. But one day a new coworker asked if I ever heard the men in their facilities. Well, if she and I heard it, then others did too. Apparently, all the women were upset by the situation, but no one complained.

This interaction was the catalyst that brought about the change six months later. We brought the issue to the attention of Human Resources. The men's facilities were moved to the opposite side of the floor by year end. And, I never heard any of the male employees talk about the move or what brought it about. Delicate conversations I suppose.

That was the 70s. Today, at sports facilities, I see the men and women facilities next to each other.

I've never forgotten and always look before I approach, even though there are now signs with the words "MEN" or "WOMEN" that indicate the assigned facilities.