Discovery---Gymfreak 1: The Annoying Talker
This morning I got up excited to start the day and I went to the Y to work out. Work out means, for right now anyway, "do the treadmill" and the leg press. I even brought a book with me to read while I walked (at a fast pace I must say). All is good for about two minutes. Then:"I never understood how people can read and walk at the same time!"I turn to my right and there is the Wife of Bath on the treadmill two doors down."I mean, I have to have someone to talk to while I exercise!" She keeps on and on.I nod politely and mumble a few answers to her when she keeps on. She won't SHUT UP. I give every hint in the world. I open my book back up and try to focus. NO. She won't shut up. She informs me about where she's from, how many kids she has, how she homeschools them because the public schools are so bad around here (she looked a little surprised when I let her know I worked in one, in one of the few responses she got from me), how she got an inheritance at one point and was rich (whatever---you are a sad sad lady), how she got pregnant at 19 and never went to college...blah blah blah blah blah. I wondered if I was on Boiling Points.I had been hoping to go for 20 minutes on the treadmill, up from my normal 15 minutes but no, I couldn't stand it any longer."Bye." I hopped off and went to the leg press. ARGH. Stupid stupid woman! She was OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT I DID NOT WANT TO TALK. I WANTED TO READ MY STUPID BOOK. ARGH.What would y'all have done? Does this happen to you?
posted by Jenny at Saturday, July 08, 2006
4 Comments:
Here's what everyone said over on the old blog:
AMY in GEORGIA SAID:
I would have done the same thing. I don't attract these people, fortunately, because I listen to music on my Shuffle instead.
I'm considering writing a post on Those Who Annoy Me at the Gym. Top of the list: those who insist on being completely nude at all times in the locker room (seriously, one morning when I went, a woman was painting her fingernails while sitting nude on a towel), and those who dress in designer workout attire and wear jewelry.
Stacy Said:
I agree, I would have done the same as you (EXCEPT that reading on a treadmill would probably make me "carsick").
It is sad when people don't know how to read cues from people. It's a social skill many people lack.
Get a headset to wear even if it doesn't play anything. Then you can ignore people easier, acting like you can't hear them.
Mel Said:
It's funny....I don't know why but I've become more assertive/bitchy with people lately.
I think I may have said, "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but I'm gonna get back to my book now".
Easy, precise, slightly offensive (perhaps). But did she really warrant your tact?
Anonymous said:
I am always afraid of hurting their feelings!! You know, those people have no idea that other people even exist...
Now, seriously...how do you read and walk at the same time??? I can't do it..
MAX said:
Splurge (they're not that expensive, really) on an iPod shuffle--Stacy is right, you don't have to actually listen to it, but you can stare straight ahead like you can't hear anything at all. Plus, they're pretty great when you DO want to listen to them.
Jen and Amy--I love reading posts about annoying people at gyms, so go for it! I'm just running and doing weights at home this summer, so I don't have any to share...but that will change when the weather forces me to join one.
1. I love using my iPod at the gym. It makes the time so much more enjoyable...especially when someone is watching someone on tv that doesn't interest me.
2. The gymfreak just proves one of Kevin's famous sayings..."Everyone's favorite thing to talk about is himself."
3. I would have said, "Yeah, I have children, too, a son. I come to the gym to have some QUIET time for me. That's why I always bring a book. This is the only time I really have to read it." The rest of the time I would act like I just didn't hear her.
4. This reminds me of a lady who used to go to the gym near my old apartments. She was practically deaf, truly hard of hearing. She would come in and turn the televisions up to maximum level. It made me so miserable, I asked the owners to get her some headsets to plug in since the tv was only about 18 inches from her face. They were very accomodating.
If I am on a treadmill generally I have on head phones so it is easy to ignore others. I also always wear a bitchy look on my face & it seems that hardly anyone even looks at me for more than a second.
Oh, and ANONYMOUS, I have always been able to read wherever. Not a problem. I say it's cuz of all the roadtrips I took when I was a kid every weekend.
Post a Comment
<< Home