I recall a teacher with whom I once taught who
told me one day about his wife, who was Japanese. They were running errands
around town when she was suddenly taken ill. Rather than disturb strangers by
opening the door and heaving onto the sidewalk, she threw up in their car.
And
then we have this morning’s water aerobic class. Okay, I’ve become used to the
people who have no concept of personal space, and now I barely notice the chatters
who float there, unaware of the rest of us trying to get from one end of the
pool to another. Today, though, was a remarkable example of single-minded
obliviousness.
We
were all astride our water noodles, which are just what they sound like – long
buoyant objects. Having reached the deep end, we had all turned and were
steaming back with the determination of a flotilla headed for Dunkirk,
side by side in a line that stretched from one side of the pool to the other.
Gripping
our noodles, we paddled our legs as one when suddenly we looked up and here
came a woman in swim cap and goggles, head down, arms windmilling through the
water at full speed. She had apparently decided that, class or no class, this
was when she would do laps.
Since
we are all women of a certain age who have put up with enough crap already in
life, we gave no ground. She pulled up short, we passed her, and closing ranks
once again, we went back to our discussions of grandchildren, knee replacements,
and ways to use up leftover turkey.
What is wrong with people lately? I think I may know this woman! :)
ReplyDeleteSigh. I have to admit to occasional 'lane rage' while swimming laps but I have never (and would never) invaded an aerobics class.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the numbers of women in full make up, with jewellery and perfectly blow-dried hair I see though...
You won't see that in our group. We look pretty good afterwards, once we're dry, but in the pool there's little worry about what we look like.
DeleteAt our pool, this lady would have been asked to come at another time, since mixing thee activities can end up with somebody getting hurt. Good for you to keep this person aware that others use the pool, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood job. I cheerfull do not relinquish my right of way in the car, which is frequently challenged by the young mothers picking up children after school. I've come close to getting out and explaining the law to some, but not yet. It remains satisfactory to force them to back off, knowing their husbands probably would not stand for a nick in the Beemer.
ReplyDeleteI had to go back to your title, which I skipped, to get the point of your post. You are so right in this post. Some people just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised she's allowed to swim laps when there's a class in the pool. Seems like they'd close the pool at that time. Love the image of you all steaming forward for Dunkirk! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteSince we are all women of a certain age who have put up with enough crap already in life, we gave no ground.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that sentence. That’ll will just HAVE to become my motto. In fact, I shall have to found a group of crap-savvy women who know how to stand, sit or swim their ground.
Maybe I could change my blog title . . . . .
DeleteI don't think I will ever get used to people who have no concept of personal space.
ReplyDeleteI do love pool noodles though; I use them as draught stoppers by my back door and at the edge of fridge and washing machine so tiny toys can't roll under and get lost.
Good for you all standing your ground, that silly woman should have waited until class had finished.