People who try and take over your spot in zumba

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just need to rant.

There's a woman at a gym I frequent who always comes in late to zumba classes. 5, 10, 30, sometimes 45 minutes into a 60 minute class. She always comes and stands about 6 inches next to or behind me. She's done this many times that I realize she just likes that spot, and she's intentionally trying to push me out of it. It isn't as though the room is crowded - there are places for her to go. She just comes in late and decides "I want to be where she's standing."

Today she came late and said to me: "why don't you go over there?" I told her "Sorry, I was here 10 minutes early and this is where I am. Feel free to go over there if you want"

I am a people pleaser type and have moved in the past, but refused to move today.

I just think it's so rude to come in late and expect others to change spots for you, when there's space for you to go. If other people are there first, you go someplace else. It's basic common sense, right?

Good job, but you were far too polite. The proper response here is, "f*ck off."

And then definitely "accidentally" hit here a few times, if she persists.

[Anonymous]

And now you know why dogs piss on things to mark their spot.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you guys for the reassurances. I was afraid people would respond "well why don't you just move" or to get over having a "spot."

The woman is older - probably about 60-70 (I'm 40). She mostly stands there and shuffles side to side. I'm not judging her dancing/zumba ability, but it also isn't as if she really needs that spot/space to workout intensely.

I was raised with a "respect your elders" mentality but at the same time, rude is rude no matter how old you are. You don't come in late and push someone out of where they are just because you like their spot. It's like cutting in line (without someone being sick or in urgent need). Or a child taking someone's toy because they want it. Except as an adult woman.

This has happened with different classes and instructors over the past few months, and I'm sick of it. I will try defending myself before going to an instructor. When I left the gym, I saw her looking annoyed and talking to someone at the front desk. Maybe she was complaining about me, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

I hate it when this happens!!! I always get to class early to claim a spot, and a lady used to do the same thing. My mantra was, "I'm not going to change how a dance, if I hit her, I hit her"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love the response, OP!
So what did she do?

She stayed inches behind me. I made it clear this time I was not moving. I resigned myself to "well if I hit her, I hit her, but she's behind me so that's on her." [I did not end up hitting her]

On one hand, I don't want to be a b*tch. On the other hand, I'm so tired of her doing this (probably the 5th or 6th time) and so tired of entitled people who expect the world to cater to them.

I admit that I like "my spot" - but if someone's there first, it's not a big deal, I go someplace else that's open. I could never fathom forcing someone out of where they are, or telling them to go someplace else when I'm late.

This seems like such obnoxious behavior that I wonder if you should discuss with the instructor.

+1
Just have the instructor remind everyone to spread out. Have her glance at the room and tell close late dancer to step off.

How exactly would you “have the instructor” do these things? You’re not in charge of the instructor.

[Anonymous]

You were totally right and gracious OP.

Given that she's chronic w/ this issue maybe next time you ask "Would you mind taking an open spot? You're awfully close and i don't want to run into you. Thanks!" w/ a really bright smile and then just turn around.

I always try to be kind, and you never know what someone else is wrestling with, but for crying out loud - it's first come first served! If she wants that spot then she can come early enough to claim it.

[Anonymous]

I’d love to understand this. I moved today in class because this same gal came in late and got right in front of me because it’s the spot she likes. I hate the rude behavior but would like to have empathy. I have decided to just move somewhere else no where close to this spot since it upsets me every time it happens. Why can’t people respect others and pick a more open area?

[Anonymous]

This is why I stopped doing classes altogether and have equipment at home.

OP, as others have said: You were far too nice. My mother is around that woman's age and would never act like that. Age is meaningless. One is either an a-hole or not; that woman's an a-hole and I would've said "Get the hell away from me and learn to set your alarm earlier."

[Anonymous]

There is no way I would have moved. I would speak to the instructor - "Hey - folks- take a spot in the back - this area is already full" You need an advocate.

[Anonymous]

You should have asked her why she was standing so close to you.

[Anonymous]

Classic Boomer behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot fathom why people get emotionally attached to a “spot” in an exercise class.

I notice this happens with age. The over 55 crowd do this everywhere: gym, beach, pool,
Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Classic Boomer behavior.

Omg. THIS

[Anonymous]

If you anticipate that someone is going to position themselves super close behind you, you could make that more difficult by being slightly farther back to start with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could have written this. Except she would come late and not follow any of the instructions. She was dancing around right next to the instructor- so distracting. People who behave that way have bigger issues.

+1

What I don't understand is that the people who do not follow the instructor are the ones that occasionally try to "claim" their space up front. This is especially with something like Zumba, such as the example above, or where the class direction/order rotates, having the back of the class (presumably there for good reason) at times become the front of the class. It messes everyone up. If you are not the instructor, act like a student. The class can only follow one person.

There are other classes that require equipment and/or mats, where the space is limited, and I really think that most of the classes seem overbooked. In fact, I wouldn't mind tape on the floor, to avoid the space invaders. If not, instructors should absolutely be saying something to the bothersome student. The classes are not free, and people took time out of their schedule to be there - take control of the class.

Also, no way in hell should the instructors be saving spaces for students - if you can't get your shyt together, and get to class on time, that is on you.