Hi there! I just got this email and I was wandering if anyone has actually tried this and if it really works.





Hi There - this is very interesting! A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for business women passed this on.



Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not?



This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. This is really interesting. Try it with a 'regular' mirror, and you can easily see what the gap means. This is a MUST read!!



When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror? (i.e., they can see you maybe taking pictures], but you can't see them).



There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?



Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail [ball-point pen, eyebrow pencil. any object] against the reflective surface and if there IS A GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.



However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, BECAUSE IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR!



REMEMBER...every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything, it is simple to do, and it might save you from getting visually raped!"



REMEMBER..."NO SPACE, LEAVE THE PLACE!"



Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.



Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.



Everyone...please give this wide dissemination!"



END

What if the 2 way mirror has a sheet of glass over it like genuine mirrors? Then you have a gap as simple as that.

Then you wouldn't be getting to see the goodies, would you? Then there would be no problem... umm duh?

Somehow I don't think that would work.

Who said that two-way mirrors don't have glass?
Of course they do, silly. The only difference between a regular and a two-way mirror is the type and density of aluminized coating used ON THE GLASS which IS in front, just like a regular mirror.

What I'm saying is, the gap is because of the thin layer of glass seperating it from the reflective part itself, if a window mirror had that, it'd give just the same effect. Meaning you would have a gap because you aren't directly touching the reflective part you're touching the glass layer which is just the same on alot of mirrors. Do you understand? BTW kratos, obviously you could see through transparent glass. DUh?

Ummm DUH! Transparent glass wouldn't create the gap! Because it would go right through because indeed it is T-R-A-N-S-P-A-R-E-N-T!

Link

No you're not getting me.. the glass prevents you touching it directly therefore theres a gap left even if its transparent you aren't touching the reflective material itself, understand?

^ There is already glass over the reflective material... go look into your bedroom mirror once and touch the surface.

You should quit saying "DUH" then proposing obviously untrue statements.

Most common mirrors are a reflective surface, or paint with a sheet of transparent glass over them. Thus when you place your finger ON the mirror, your finger is as far away from the actual reflective surface, as the glass is thick. This is because your finger is on the GLASS that is OVER the reflective surface, and not the surface itself. Thus, there is a gap between your finger, and the REFLECTION of your finger that's twice as thick as the glass. (The glass, and it's reflection.)

What the poster was saying, is that some "Two Way Mirrors" don't have this sheet of glass over the reflecive surface, thus when you place your finger on that mirror, it is DIRECTLY ON the reflective surface, and thus there is no gap. I always thought that this was because two-way mirrors were a piece of glass with the ... two-way-reflective-stuff painted ON them. Although, it seems as though someone has previously proven this untrue as well.

Whether that's true or not.. I really have no idea. But your logic is flawed. Just thought I'd point that out.

PS, I suggest you do the same, and notice the "gap" between your finger, and it's reflection.

Ok, once again:

Two-way mirrors are composed of a glass substrate and a special low-density aluminized coating.
The coating is ALWAYS placed BEHIND the glass, just like in regular mirrors.

Now, why is there a glass substrate for mirrors, regular or two-way?
Answer: The reflective coating is very thin, so it needs "something" to hold on to, and the binding surface of the glass is ground very smooth.

Why is the coating for regular and two-way mirrors placed BEHIND?
Answer: So that the fragile coating is not exposed to scratching.

Can a two-way mirror be constructed such that the coating in "On TOP" of the glass?
Answer: Yes, but it would be stupid. For one, the "on-top" very thin coating exposes itself to easy destruction. And secondly, an on top coating would need to be "polished", which would rub away the coating itself!!!

has anyone had a mirror and scratched the back of it? its easy to peel off the reflective foil, just as paladin said. so that myth about touching the mirror to see the gap is false. otherwise just like paladin said, it would scratch when you put your finger on it.

in 2 way mirrors, there would be glass infront of the reflective layer and behind it. for the same reason.