How to deal with pool bullies?

Former Member
Former Member
I can't believe this happened to poor poor me.:violin: Recently, I was I'm getting into the outdoor pool in my new residence. The pool has one lap lane. Just as I'm setting up, I hear someone say "oh, you live here?" (not too happily). I turn around and see an older woman standing there with more attitude than all my equipment (and I carry a lot). Long story short, she makes it very clear that this is "her time" and "her lane" and people who live there respect that. I was so shocked I gave in to this bully and let her have the lane and swam on the outside but it wasn't very pleasant. At every opportunity she tried to grill me about where I lived, why I wasn't there all summer, :blah::blah:. The primary reason I selected this development was because of the pool, and lap lane. It's already annoying that it opens later than I'm used to and she made it very clear that she would be there every day upon opening. I hate swimming later in the day - it's too hot and breaks up my whole day. I'm ready to move out already! I guess we will have to alternate use of the lap lane because I am not changing my schedule and I don't think I should have to. :dunno:
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Well, I for one hate swimming in the lane with a ladder protruding. I envitably hit it with my arm if I am sharing the lane with someone. And butterfly is out of the question on such lane. I firmly believe in first-come, first-serve unless there is a "sign-up" sheet for the pool lane(s), which I doubt. I seriously doubt that lane has her "name" on it; she just wants it and tries to command it. If I'm there first, I take the lane. If someone wants to try to share, I'll try to also. But if it is a narrow lane and many lap pools are, I'd tell her to come back in an hour and that I'd be happy to get out at that time. And remind her that life is full of sharing and compromises and YOU are making yours by only staying for one hour. Donna
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Well, I for one hate swimming in the lane with a ladder protruding. I envitably hit it with my arm if I am sharing the lane with someone. And butterfly is out of the question on such lane. I firmly believe in first-come, first-serve unless there is a "sign-up" sheet for the pool lane(s), which I doubt. I seriously doubt that lane has her "name" on it; she just wants it and tries to command it. If I'm there first, I take the lane. If someone wants to try to share, I'll try to also. But if it is a narrow lane and many lap pools are, I'd tell her to come back in an hour and that I'd be happy to get out at that time. And remind her that life is full of sharing and compromises and YOU are making yours by only staying for one hour. Donna
Children
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