Everyone here on the boards has way more experience than I do, so I'm looking for advice on how you handle rudeness in the pool.
It seems like the summer has taken its toll on me with the number of rude people of all stripes who've been sharing my rec center pool. It's gotten to the point where it's sapped my enjoyment, and I have at times thought about giving up the sport entirely because it's just too much hassle to come home feeling like I've been byatch slapped, run into, pushed against the ropes, told no to lane sharing, and insulted about the way I look in a bathing suit.
Yes, I'm too sensitive, that's a fact, but I'm a writer and an artist, so it kind of comes with the territory. I try to shrug these things off, but I get out of the pool depressed and replay incidents in my head. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it. What's supposed to be a nice, relaxing, healthy form of exercise has, over the summer, become something I dread. The lifeguards aren't much help - they don't see most of what's going on in the lap lanes because they're busy watching the kids. I can't count on them to step in. :badday: So I'd like to know if any of you experienced swimmers have dealt with this turning point, and how you kept going.
knelson, I don't want to quit swimming. That's why I'm looking for help here. As for growing a thicker skin, perhaps that comes with time, but when someone insults the way you look in your bathing suit, it's pretty hurtful. Even if it's a stranger and they're just being mean. I don't think anyone should have to put up with that.
I think much of this is attributable to management. Today, I went to swim during the time reserved for classes and adult lap swim. There were kids goofing around in the lap lanes. So I shared with a walker. And when he left, I got a good hour's worth of lap swimming in.
I may indeed look for another pool if it doesn't clear up when school starts. I have a friend who works the front desk and says she can't wait for summer to be over. We may also have an inordinate amount of jerks, and with several of the pools closed for cleaning, their jerks may have gravitated to our rec center.
As for growing a thicker skin, perhaps that comes with time, but when someone insults the way you look in your bathing suit, it's pretty hurtful. Even if it's a stranger and they're just being mean. I don't think anyone should have to put up with that.
I don't either. I have a feeling you've just got a couple jerks at the pool you swim at. This does not seem like typical behavior, in my experience.
It seems like the summer has taken its toll on me with the number of rude people of all stripes who've been sharing my rec center pool. It's gotten to the point where it's sapped my enjoyment, and I have at times thought about giving up the sport entirely because it's just too much hassle to come home feeling like I've been byatch slapped, run into, pushed against the ropes, told no to lane sharing, and insulted about the way I look in a bathing suit.
I understand your frustration! If I were you, I would see if there are substantial improvements after the jerks go back to school, and if not, I would re-evaluate my affinity to this particular pool. Clearly, the staff and management aren't on your side, or just plain don't care. I believe you are dealing with an anomaly and not the norm. Swimming can be such a fulfilling activity, but no matter how thick your skin is, after while the rudeness wears on a person.
Is it possible that the traffic at the pool will be greatly reduced as the school year gets started? You may just be dealing with crowds because of summer. Or is there a different time (or pool) you can try? I used to belong to a 24 hour fitness that had a pretty lame 3-lane indoor pool but hardly anyone ever used it so I could almost always get my own lane...
I really think you've got three choices: 1. grow a thicker skin, 2. find a new pool, 3. quit swimming.
Perhaps the pool you are swimming at just has a higher than normal jerk quotient. If there are one or two bad seeds maybe try to swim at a time you know they won't be there. It shouldn't be typical to have to deal with rude behavior. Of course you are going to get smacked or even run into on occasion. With several lanes of people swinging their arms and mostly looking at the bottom of the pool it's inevitable, but that's different than being intentionally bullied.
I have swam most of my life, and I do not think your too sensitive. Personally if I got slapped in the face by someone swimming in my lane I would be pretty upset. It's one thing to slap hands while swimming, its a completely different story to get hit in the head or face. The same goes for getting run into while swimming. There is no excuse for it.
The big issue I see is that you are being bulled at this pool. If the lifeguards do not listen, then bring it to the attention of the pool manager. If he does not listen or decides not to take action, then I would go above him till someone does.
Keep swimming!! Do not give up on a sport because of a few IDIOTS!!! Stick with it, and if all else fails find a new pool to swim at. If you need help finding a new pool just let me know. We are in the same general area.
The big issue I see is that you are being bulled at this pool. If the lifeguards do not listen, then bring it to the attention of the pool manager. If he does not listen or decides not to take action, then I would go above him till someone does.
Hear, hear! There's no excuse for the lifeguards allowing an unsafe (or unfriendly) situation to develop or persist.
I'm going to check out another pool that's a little farther but has more lanes. My husband agreed to come along so I can start getting used to being in the deep end. :cheerleader:
I avoid the guys who are fast. I don't want to get in anyone's way. I just want to get my exercise in and have a good experience.
I avoid the guys who are fast.This sounds like the advice I give my daughter. And for what it's worth some of the fast guys, like Mr. KNelson, aren’t so bad.
Jerks are in the water and in gyms as well. I dislike when it is college break time . The guys drop the wts. Want to machine all the time & get upset if I change the wts to what I do .I have learned to just change & let them carb! In the pool the life guards are there to do more than save drowning people. If they see this stuff going on & do nothing - talk with the mgr. Keep swimming.
