selfish jerks at the gym

[ny biker]

Well thanks everyone.

Really to me this is an example of a larger problem that is really getting to me. So many people are just so wrapped up in their belief that they are the center of the universe that they are not capable of being courteous to or thoughtful of the people around them. It's not just at the gym. It's all the people who nearly run me over when I'm riding my bike or walking down the street because they just can't wait a few seconds for me to pass through the intersection before the make their turn. Or at the stop light in front of my office building where people routinely block the intersection so you can't get out when the light turns green and when you beep at them they look at you like you're the one doing something wrong. And the people who sit across from you at a restaurant sending text messages to their bff because they can't be bothered to hide the fact that they'd rather be elsewhere. So much rudeness and lack of respect and it's all small stuff but it just builds up after a while.

I know there are nice people out there too but for some reason the rude ones are the ones who stand out. And it's hard to just shrug them off because that's just like giving up and accepting the world is a crappy place full of people who don't give a crap about anyone but themselves. It seems we should be capable of more than that.

I think it might be time to go home and have a Buffy marathon.

p.s. I do like Pax's signature line. That Buddha guy had some interesting ideas.

[teigyr]

Really to me this is an example of a larger problem that is really getting to me. So many people are just so wrapped up in their belief that they are the center of the universe that they are not capable of being courteous to or thoughtful of the people around them.

Exactly. I rant about this on a daily basis. There's the person who is going to turn across traffic but doesn't put on their signal until the light turns green (with no dedicated turn light or lane) so I'm stuck behind them. There's the person going 10 mph below the speed limit in the passing lane, the list goes on and on. I think people, at least a lot of people and the ones I notice, don't think about how their actions will affect someone else. The gym can be bad too. I get the pleasure of the "cardio pool walkers" who seem to think they should be spread all over the lanes.

And regarding the text messaging, that is just rude. I really love technology but I think it's given people an opportunity to tune out on what's going on in front of them and focus on something else. I'd say I despair for civilization but then I sound old and cranky and I think trends tend to cycle. Of course there's always the chance interoffice memos will read "u going 2 the mtg?"

I wonder if the guys who grunt at the gym know just how foolish they sound. Do they even care?

[smurfalicious]

Ugh, we had those guys at the gym I used to go to. Thus why I am hesitant to join one here despite the deep discount from work. What bothered me more were the icky sweat hogs in their t-shirts with the sleeves cut off and sides ripped down to the hem who would slim the equipment and not wipe it down. I complained profusely. The agreement we all signed says we would wipe the equipment down. Management just shrugged it off, said some people wipe down before and after. Uh, hey I'm in a hurry, and already hate being here, work with me!!!!

[Trigress]

Really to me this is an example of a larger problem that is really getting to me. So many people are just so wrapped up in their belief that they are the center of the universe that they are not capable of being courteous to or thoughtful of the people around them.

So much rudeness and lack of respect and it's all small stuff but it just builds up after a while.

A word of friendly advice: do not, and I repeat DO NOT, ever try to stand in a line in Norway. >SIGH!<

[mimitabby]

A word of friendly advice: do not, and I repeat DO NOT, ever try to stand in a line in Norway. >SIGH!<

why not?
In Italy if you try to stand in line you will discover there really wasn't one to begin with!

[NbyNW]

Really to me this is an example of a larger problem that is really getting to me. So many people are just so wrapped up in their belief that they are the center of the universe that they are not capable of being courteous to or thoughtful of the people around them. It's not just at the gym. . . . So much rudeness and lack of respect and it's all small stuff but it just builds up after a while.

I know there are nice people out there too but for some reason the rude ones are the ones who stand out. And it's hard to just shrug them off because that's just like giving up and accepting the world is a crappy place full of people who don't give a crap about anyone but themselves. It seems we should be capable of more than that.

I have at times felt the same frustration. And it can build up and make you feel very unhappy about so many aspects of life. e.g., my current job, but that's getting off topic . . .

Years ago when DH and I lived in a certain city where the economy was booming it seemed that people were getting ruder to each other all the time. Housing was scarce and expensive, parking was scarce and expensive, and people were always honking at you at intersections when you stopped to let a pedestrian cross, which you are supposed to do in CA. I sometimes wonder whether times of high stress cause people to throw civility out the window. The economy could be robust and people will convince themselves that their needs and problems outweigh everyone else's. And right now the economy is not-so-healthy and maybe this, too, leads to people becoming self-focused.

I hope if your gym situation doesn't improve that you'll be able to find a gym you're happier with. Any gym worth its salt should have plenty of spray bottles and towels handy, as well as rules of usage posted on the wall, regarding everything that others have posted in this thread -- spraying down, allowing others to work in, re-racking weights when finished with equipment, etc. It should not be your job to clean up after others before you get to start your workout. You are paying the same amount of money as other gym-users; unless they're paying for the privilege to not clean up after themselves, your gym management needs to figure out a way to convince them to be courteous of other users. Like, threaten to revoke their membership?