People who try and take over your spot in zumba

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Good for you. I wouldn’t move either!

[Anonymous]

Do tell us what happened. What a psycho!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Just keep doing what you're doing, OP. Eventually it won't be worth the hassle to her.

[Anonymous]

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.

Good for you, OP. I have spots I like too and get their early for them.

[Anonymous]

Is it a back corner spot? Just curious

[Anonymous]

Haha! You handled it well, OP. I work in a yoga studio and we have a few people who are obsessed with getting “their spot”. They call the studio and ask me to put a mat down for them if they are running late. I get it. I have preferred spots. But you don’t ask someone to move.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haha! You handled it well, OP. I work in a yoga studio and we have a few people who are obsessed with getting “their spot”. They call the studio and ask me to put a mat down for them if they are running late. I get it. I have preferred spots. But you don’t ask someone to move.

Please tell me you say, 'NO, FIRST COME'.

[Anonymous]

Chronic latecomers at the gym are my number one pet peeve for classes and I refuse to move. I was once called a bitch in class for refusing to move over (not sufficient space) and inconvenience myself. I particularly hate it during yoga class when the room is quiet and you have to move your body and your mat--not just scooting over a few feet. Stick to your guns OP. Latecomers demonstrate they are not serious about their workout when they are consistently late. I am serious about my workout and I get to the gym on time or even early to set myself up how I like. I refuse to accommodate dilettantes.

[Anonymous]

Shorten your response, OP:

“Great idea! You should go.” Then ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for you. I wouldn’t move either!

+ 1

Way to stand your ground, OP. Some people are so pushy and entitled.