Strangers asking how far you ran at private athletic club?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beware, next up they'll comment about the weather!

lol

That would be a better conversation starter. Clearly people here don't actually go to the gym or know how to interact and get to know others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy cow, OP. Do you rarely interact with people in real life? How is this something that that concerns you?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this unusual? As in just finished a run at an indoor track, sweating a bit and walking to lockers, then randomly asked how far I ran by a passerby in a cheery way. Then asked how long it took. Why would a stranger want to know this? It's happened multiple times. It's not creepy per se, I just don't see the point. Is it just outgoing people itching to strike up a chat?

Are you kidding me?They're asking because you are participating in the same sport. They are chatting with a fellow human being. If you don't want to interact with others then why are you in a club with other people? Why not just use a treadmill in your own home?

What a pathetic post.

+1

Welcome to DC, PP - where people try to flex their antisocial tendencies by claiming to be an "introvert".

OP, in the rest of the world, people tend to act more....you know.....human.......

I’m a DC/Montgomery county native. This is what I’m used to when I go to other states I am sometimes in a bit of a culture shock because people actually interact like regular human beings! What shocks me even more is how much I enjoy it! We are a weird bunch here in DC.

Op, to me it just sounds like they’re being nice and friendly trying to make conversation. No biggie.

Agree. We split our time between here and Massachusetts, which is not known for being the friendliest place. Yet when we are there we have to adjust to exchanging pleasantries with neighbors, making eye contact with people, and other normal social interactions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I swim two miles every day and I’ve definitely had people remark when I exit the pool and ask how far I swam and how long it takes. I don’t think much of it and it’s usually people who come in and start their swim when I’m in the midst of mine and finish at or around the same time as me. I never thought anything of it.

I’d be impressed. Two miles? That’s great.

It might be someone new to running and is interested in knowing what a typical run is. Or a talker who likes to talk. I’ve been asked questions that were weird. That wouldn’t be one of them.

Someone once told me, "Nice day." I didn't know what to say but I didn't know what it was nice for? Nice for running? Nice for fishing? Nice for stabbing? Why did they even talk to me? Did they think I needed to know what the day was like?

--Probably OP.

You and OP are both on the spectrum. I'm sure you realize this by now.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s a little odd but not something I’d get worked up about. I had a video call with one of my experts on Friday and I joined right after finishing and he asked me how far I had gone. Just idle conversation since we had not spoken in awhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this unusual? As in just finished a run at an indoor track, sweating a bit and walking to lockers, then randomly asked how far I ran by a passerby in a cheery way. Then asked how long it took. Why would a stranger want to know this? It's happened multiple times. It's not creepy per se, I just don't see the point. Is it just outgoing people itching to strike up a chat?

Are you kidding me?They're asking because you are participating in the same sport. They are chatting with a fellow human being. If you don't want to interact with others then why are you in a club with other people? Why not just use a treadmill in your own home?

What a pathetic post.

+1

Welcome to DC, PP - where people try to flex their antisocial tendencies by claiming to be an "introvert".

OP, in the rest of the world, people tend to act more....you know.....human.......

Translation: Social climbing strivers pissed off when people higher up the ladder don’t allow them to worm their way into their orbit

What a sad translation. You don't know what you're missing in life, PP. On your deathbed you will regret having been so sour and mean spirited about your fellow human beings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a members club. It is normal to talk to other members.

OP, if you want to be reclusive run on a treadmill at your house.

I guess I missed the memo that paying a pricy athletic club membership means you have to answer random intrusive (or oddly competitive?) questions from randoms every time you enter the facilities. I would think the more expensive the athletic club, the more uncouth it is to prod random members. I pay the fees for the amenities, cleanliness and privacy — not new friends. I am not an introvert, I just don’t really want to be chatty while working out.

DP here. Then stay home. You are amongst civilization, not in a bubble. You sound awful.

I'm not the PP but it's an awkward question. There are much better ice breakers than asking people how fast they run or how much they are lifting. It's not good gym etiquette.

Yeah, I love to chat at the gym, but I am such a slow runner that this question would embarrass me! I'd probably stammer and say something stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this unusual? As in just finished a run at an indoor track, sweating a bit and walking to lockers, then randomly asked how far I ran by a passerby in a cheery way. Then asked how long it took. Why would a stranger want to know this? It's happened multiple times. It's not creepy per se, I just don't see the point. Is it just outgoing people itching to strike up a chat?

Are you kidding me?They're asking because you are participating in the same sport. They are chatting with a fellow human being. If you don't want to interact with others then why are you in a club with other people? Why not just use a treadmill in your own home?

What a pathetic post.

+1

Welcome to DC, PP - where people try to flex their antisocial tendencies by claiming to be an "introvert".

OP, in the rest of the world, people tend to act more....you know.....human.......

Translation: Social climbing strivers pissed off when people higher up the ladder don’t allow them to worm their way into their orbit

What a sad translation. You don't know what you're missing in life, PP. On your deathbed you will regret having been so sour and mean spirited about your fellow human beings.

The Beltway is genuinely full of ruthless and shameless strivers trying to weasel their way into strangers' orbits, learn if you're high status and useful, and then use you. Strangers are not being nice, they have ulterior motives, so it is actually good instincts to be chilly to creepy strangers trying to orbit you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I swim two miles every day and I’ve definitely had people remark when I exit the pool and ask how far I swam and how long it takes. I don’t think much of it and it’s usually people who come in and start their swim when I’m in the midst of mine and finish at or around the same time as me. I never thought anything of it.

I’d be impressed. Two miles? That’s great.

It might be someone new to running and is interested in knowing what a typical run is. Or a talker who likes to talk. I’ve been asked questions that were weird. That wouldn’t be one of them.

Someone once told me, "Nice day." I didn't know what to say but I didn't know what it was nice for? Nice for running? Nice for fishing? Nice for stabbing? Why did they even talk to me? Did they think I needed to know what the day was like?

--Probably OP.

Lol!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy cow, OP. Do you rarely interact with people in real life? How is this something that that concerns you?

What does a stranger want or need to know how far you ran and at what clip? I would literally never ask some totally random person that.

It's not some totally random person. It's someone at the same club, doing the same thing you're doing. What does it take for you to feel connected to those around you, the same blood type, born in the same hospital, went to the same college and majored in the same thing? Did a 23 and Me and found out you're related? What?

A bit creepy you think an athletic club membership fee bought you new friends. Most successful adults have enough friends and aren't walking around thirsty to befriend strangers. Major ick vibes, as my kids say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a little odd but not something I’d get worked up about. I had a video call with one of my experts on Friday and I joined right after finishing and he asked me how far I had gone. Just idle conversation since we had not spoken in awhile.

The distance question seems ok, but following it up with how long did it take starts getting competitive. More often than not that person will tell you how fast they can run a mile and it's just weird from a total stranger since you're not in a race. It's not a good way to get to know people at the gym.

[Anonymous]

"How far did you go?" is a very innocuous question. Pace, I'd probably just evade the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this unusual? As in just finished a run at an indoor track, sweating a bit and walking to lockers, then randomly asked how far I ran by a passerby in a cheery way. Then asked how long it took. Why would a stranger want to know this? It's happened multiple times. It's not creepy per se, I just don't see the point. Is it just outgoing people itching to strike up a chat?

Going to a "private club" whatever that is, doesn't make you immune from people wanting to make small talk, it's part of the human experience OP. If you don't want to chat wear huge headphones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this unusual? As in just finished a run at an indoor track, sweating a bit and walking to lockers, then randomly asked how far I ran by a passerby in a cheery way. Then asked how long it took. Why would a stranger want to know this? It's happened multiple times. It's not creepy per se, I just don't see the point. Is it just outgoing people itching to strike up a chat?

Are you kidding me?They're asking because you are participating in the same sport. They are chatting with a fellow human being. If you don't want to interact with others then why are you in a club with other people? Why not just use a treadmill in your own home?

What a pathetic post.

+1

Welcome to DC, PP - where people try to flex their antisocial tendencies by claiming to be an "introvert".

OP, in the rest of the world, people tend to act more....you know.....human.......

I’m a DC/Montgomery county native. This is what I’m used to when I go to other states I am sometimes in a bit of a culture shock because people actually interact like regular human beings! What shocks me even more is how much I enjoy it! We are a weird bunch here in DC.

Op, to me it just sounds like they’re being nice and friendly trying to make conversation. No biggie.

Agree. We split our time between here and Massachusetts, which is not known for being the friendliest place. Yet when we are there we have to adjust to exchanging pleasantries with neighbors, making eye contact with people, and other normal social interactions.

+ a million, people in the DC area are weird, the person was probably impressed by OPs running and curious how fast they were going.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't mind. People are always asking how far I ran. I tell them. Sometimes they are less experienced runners who want guidance and sometimes they are regular runners who are curious. I like being part of a community so I am friendly about questions.