Smile (or scowl), you’re on camera
A recent story on CBC Television about the public restrooms at OPUS has ignited a firestorm of controversy that could only take place in the age of social media. Last week, Elisabeth Everett reported that while celebrating her sister’s birthday in OPUS Bar she was shocked to discover that men could observe her via video monitors mounted over the urinals in the restroom.
To date, over 300 comments have been posted to the CBC’s website. Many express anger and outrage, mostly related to the mistaken belief that the cameras point into the bathroom. Others get the setup but still feel it’s an invasion of privacy. Some wonder what the big deal is.
At OPUS, we lean toward the latter. The cameras have been there since 2002, part of the lounge’s playful “see and be seen” theme, and until now have elicited little more than bemused smiles. Three cameras feed into monitors mounted over the urinals in the men’s room and over the vanity in the ladies’ room. The system is closed-circuit, the footage not recorded or broadcast. The 5-inch monitors emit a grainy, bird’s eye view of the lounge – certainly not optimum conditions for leering at patrons. A far more alluring view is offered by the floor-to-ceiling windows in OPUS Bar.
Since many reacted with such vitriol, we thought it prudent to respond. But while scrolling through the comments on the CBC site, it occurred to me that everything that can be said has been said, and with far more eloquence and humor than I ever could. So rather than subject you to corporate mumbo jumbo, I’ll let the commenters speak for themselves.
The controversy was fueled by the CBC’s ambiguous headline: “Vancouver bar’s urinal TVs raise concern”. Urinal TVs? That does sound creepy. No wonder CWaddell2 wrote, “Sleazy and disgusting, again humans slide back further down the scale of de-evolution … Someone get me off the planet!” Take us with you, CWaddell2. Meanwhile, Sediba remarked, “it should really be a human right to expect complete privacy when eliminating bodily waste.” Ya think, Sebida? Gastoned wasn’t quite so riveted, writing, “Cmon CBC, report on real things that matter.”
To add fuel to the fire, the CBC consulted Richard Rosenberg, president of the B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, who graced them with this gem of a pull-quote: “I think there’s a crime involved here.” A crime … really? Not according to Measwell: “First off,” he wrote, “when interviewing an expert … make sure they are an expert … I happen to know this is NOT against ANY law here … This is 2010 and most bars have cameras in them.” Damn, we were hoping that our general manager being hauled away in handcuffs might garner international headlines.
Still, that wasn’t enough to placate Lickmytoad. “Legal or not this sets a new standard for sleaze,” he wrote. In turn, Jamrobin took a jab at him and others: “… it’s actually probably YOU that’s a little creepy for thinking like that!” Fortunately, Icepick came to the rescue as the voice of reason: “I think the premise here is that the guy’s can scout out the chicks with the biggest boobs while they are releaving themselves. And the ladies can cruise for the guys with the most money.” Thanks for clearing things up, Icepick.
You can always rely on a conspiracy theorist to weigh in, and SuKnew did not disappoint. “I understand there is an employee who oversees the area as well,” he said. Cue eerie music. Meanwhile, Tapilot brought up a point we hadn’t considered: “Stupid bar owners. The object should be to get patrons rapidly out of the washrooms and back to buying more drinks.” Note to OPUS Bar manager.
If OPUS really had wanted to stir things up, we would have installed microphones in addition to cameras. As it stands now, all you can do is squint at the screen and wonder if your friends are talking about you. OMFriday came up with an even more creative suggestion: “How about adding a video device to the urinals that would measure a man’s equipment and display the results, perhaps as a bar graph on a monitor in the lounge?” Note to maintenance: get quote.
As for the woman who so dutifully called us out to the CBC as peepshow-playing pervs, ChillinginMB has some advice, “Okay Elisabeth, you’ve had your so-called 15 minutes of fame, now it’s time for you to get a life.”
Yes, OPUS likes to be a bit edgy, and for that we offer no apologies. We try not to take ourselves too seriously here, but we do take our guests seriously. If you are offended by the cameras, we are sincerely sorry, as that is not our intention. For those who sprang to our defense, we salute you. Whichever camp you belong to, we admire impassioned and outspoken people. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome – if not always heeded.
In closing, we can’t help but echo the sentiment of Orderoftheblack: “i find it amusing anyone even cares.”
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