Plan B Forum

6.00 am one morning last week I was, as ever, blundering about the gym, in the vain hope of losing weight/getting fit, while Hen exercised.

The “pretty but dim” gym bunny approached me, and said; “Gob, would you mind wearing training shoes from now on when you come in in the mornings?” No, I wasn’t barefooted, I was wearing my hiking sandals.

The following exchange happened;

Me: “Why?"
PBDGB; ”Well it’s the rules.”
Me; “What rules?
PBDGB; “The footwear rules, you have to wear gym shoes or runners here.”
Me; “But I’ve been wearing these here for two years or more.”
PBDGB; “Yes, but I’ve only just noticed.”
Me; (biting tongue,) “But what difference does it make?”
PBDGB; “Well if you dropped a weight on your foot you could be seriously injured.”
Me; “So could you?”
PBDGB; “But I’ve got running shoes on.”
Me; “Which give you even less protection than these do me.”
PBDGB; “But it’s the rules.”

Seeing I was on a loser here, (never argue with an idiot, they'll drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience,) I agreed to wear training shoes from now on in. As I do not yet have any, I’ve been wearing my hiking boots instead, or “taking the piss” as it’s better known.

I was wearing these;


She was wearing these;

Think of it as showing respect for the establishment.

It would appear that there is a minimal dress code in place which is merely for the purpose of reinforcing the idea that this is a place where people go purposefully to exercise. It is not a place where people drop by on the way home from the construction site, or a bar, or the beach.

Presumably you wouldn't go to a swim club and jump into the pool wearing cut-off jeans, or go into a tennis club and try to play wearing bib overalls.

Those shoes are not appropriate for the venue.

Why give the bitch grief over it? She doesn't make the rules, does she?

No she doesn't. And, as I say, I've been wearing them there for two years without problem or complaint. So why did she unilaterally decide to make this rule of import all of a sudden?

why did she unilaterally decide to make this rule of import all of a sudden?

It doesn't seem to me that you have enough information to reach the conclusion that she acted unilaterally...

Maybe she had a review with her supervisor who told her that she needs to pay more attention to the members following the gym's dress rules...

Or maybe all the employees got a memo telling them this....

Or maybe she just decided that if she had to look at those ugly ass sandals one more time, that she would hurl herself in front of a bus.....

(Okay, I guess that last one would be a "unilateral" decision....but perfectly understandable... )

Gob, newsflash -- it's *not* all about you

(I gotta agree with LJ & Dave on this one -- the poor thing was doing her job -- leave her alone and respect the facility rules, or take our business elsewhere)

Guinevere wrote:Gob, newsflash -- it's *not* all about you

Yes it is!!

Anyway, yesterday I went out and bought some shoes which will comply with their "rules". My gym sessions are the only thing that are keeping me from a decent into decrepitude, so I wont risk them.

Maybe pink and yellow are your colors? Did you ever think about that? Hen might think you're hotter in something more gender ambiguous. Maybe this nice young woman was really trying to help you out with a fashion choice?



yrs,
rubato

Nah, I'm not one for pastels, they clash with my red eyes.

Do what that nice Irishman Bono does and wear tinted glasses all the time.

Simple!

yrs,
rubato

What's the penalty for noncompliance?

Expulsion to the den of inquity which is "Flames Fitness."

NO, NOT THAT!!!

They make you wear lycra!

With Gob's original footwear, I found it very hard to believe that and enclosed sandal which has a reinforced toe would be a problem in the gym.

The rule is you wear enclosed shoe on your feet.

The Hike-el is an enclosed shoe with air vents and an exposed heel.

It offers far more protection that the ballet flats that are favored by a number of staff that work there.

I do happen to think that the staff member that pulled him up on his footwear is worthy of the Jobsworths title.

Still, I am pleased he has found another favourite footwear item.

I'll just keep wearing whatever runner falls into my hands in the morning.