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.
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 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.
