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I've been reading a lot about gym etiquette recently.
Scheherazade at Stay of Execution writes:
I subscribe to the school of gym etiquette which consists of minimal conversation and eye contact (e.g. "are you using this mat?" or the occasional nod), and surreptitious observations of others made from the treadmill or obliquely in the mirror.
Amy at Weight of My World is bothered by the lack of personal hygiene at the gym.
At first I thought it was a fluke experience, but apparently I was wrong. Almost every time I use the restroom at my gym, I hear another member flush, watch them exit the area (or hear them leave) without even the slightest rinse of their hands. Now I'll admit, I occasionally exit a stall and head straight into the showers without washing first, but I'm going to the shower. These people are going back to their lockers, or out to the exercise room, where they'll touch a number of surfaces and spread their toilet germs for any number of people to come in contact with. I'm not a germaphobe, but that's just plain disgusting.
Poor Jessicool had no idea how to behave when another woman brought her son into the locker room with her.
I froze. I didn't know what to do. I had this rapid internal monologue running through my head, which went something like: Oh crap, that's a little boy. He's gotta be four years old. Is it OK for this little kid to see my breasts? he must have seen his mom's breasts, maybe it's not a big deal. But I'm not his mom...is it kosher for him to see mine? Oh crap, do I have to change under my towel like I used to do in middle school gym class? I'm way too old for that. Why did his mom have to pick THIS row? Oh my gosh, his mom is going to the bathroom. I'm alone with this little kid. Maybe I should change really fast while his mom is gone. Maybe I can just turn my back to him. Oh man, look, he's staring at me...and he's naked! Well, if he's naked, maybe I can be too. But that seems inappropriate. I don't know what to do. Stop looking at him, Jessica! Stare at the floor. THIS IS HIS MOM'S FAULT. She couldn't pick the next row over? I'd move, but my crap is everywhere and it's just going to be impossible to move it all. Maybe the mom doesn't care if he sees my breasts. He's only like, four. It can't be that big a deal. It won't scar him for life, will it?
I'll assume you all wash your hands when you use the facilities at the gym (or you wouldn't tell me if you didn't), but do you take your kids in the locker room? Does is freak you out if other people bring children into the changing area? Do you get hit on at the gym? What do you consider to be important in gym etiquette?
Contributing Editor Sarah also blogs at Sarah and the Goon Squad and Draft Day Suit.
