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.
Kurt, you must be swimming at my pool. I get a big chuckle out of the ladies who pretend not to speak English and shake their heads "no" when you try to get in the lane, and wave their arms at you, like you should be intimidated. I see a lot of these same ladies swimming down the middle on their backs with their eyes closed, like it's their private spa. Certainly, they're entitled to do so. But not when other people need to share.
Kurt, you must be swimming at my pool. I get a big chuckle out of the ladies who pretend not to speak English and shake their heads "no" when you try to get in the lane, and wave their arms at you, like you should be intimidated. I see a lot of these same ladies swimming down the middle on their backs with their eyes closed, like it's their private spa. Certainly, they're entitled to do so. But not when other people need to share.
