Is this rude?

[emelsea]

I exercise at the local Y. I usually run on the treadmill or use the stationary bikes or ellipticals.

I always have my iPod on with headphones (and I even wear the dorky external headphones, so it's obvious I'm wearing them), and I usually really zone out. I don't look around or watch the TV's - I'm 100% inside my head.

There is one trainer there who is a 'visitor'. She wanders around and chats with everyone, and she'll come up and stand next to the treadmill I'm on and tap me on the shoulder and want to visit. It makes me a little crazy b/c I can't talk and run or use the elliptical at the same time - I'd fall off! So I have to stop or drastically slow down. And she always asks me strange questions like, "have you tried using an exercise ball?" (I guess that's not strange because she's a trainer, but I'm in the middle of something totally different).

Do you think she's being rude? Can you think of something I can say to her that would get my point across (leave me alone!) without being nasty? At this point, I don't want to tell her I'll talk to her later, because I'm really not feeling any love for her, and even if I did want help from a trainer, I'd seek out another one. So I don't want to say "let's make an appointment for you to show me those exercise balls another time!"

[Irishmommy]

Really rude.

I'd be tempted to tap on my headphones and say something like "Can't talk now, I'm busy", then just look ahead and keep running.

[Rani]

SHe is trying to solicit you pure and simple. Next time it happens, politely tell her you are not interested in a personal trainer and she should bypass you after that. If she doesn't, speak to the floor manager.

[bcblondie]

Oh yea. Definately rude. I hate when I'm running outside and people stop me to ask this or that. Hello?! I'm in a rhythem! Go bug someone else! lol. Just tell her you can't talk and run at the same time.

[crunchy_mommy]

Really rude.

Tell her straight out that you're not interested in her training you.

Or, you could simply say, "I really look forward to some time to myself when I come to the gym. My life is hectic & I need this time to be alone and zone out, so please don't disturb me while I'm here."

[NiteNicole]

Rude.

I would tell he I'm listening to "my notes" or something vague and ignore her. Or wave her off next time you see her coming. And if she won't quit, complain to someone. It's rude and I'm willing to bet everyone hates to see her coming.

[muppet729]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

Really rude.

Tell her straight out that you're not interested in her training you.

Or, you could simply say, "I really look forward to some time to myself when I come to the gym. My life is hectic & I need this time to be alone and zone out, so please don't disturb me while I'm here."

I think this sounds good- you aren't being rude back, but direct and specific and final.

[GearGirl]

Wow, I think she should know better, especially with the headphones on. It sounds like you will have to be direct with her.

[sapphire_chan]

Next time she tries to talk to you, stop the treadmill, walk right over to a staff member and tell them she's been harassing you and could they please get her to go away.

You've already told her you aren't interested, so now she's being creepy as well as rude.

And OMG, she touched you?? That's a safety problem and she probably shouldn't be allowed in the gym until she takes some sort of orientation.

(Make sure you're signed up for a block of time on the treadmill so you can get it back after.)

[yitlan]

Maybe bring a pre-written note to hold up?
"Can't talk now."
"Ask me later."
"I'll fall if I talk." Whatever. Then you can use humor or just be direct.

[lab]

She's rude.

I personally would not even acknowledge her.



You know, my friends at the gym don't even bug me when I've got the head phones and going at it.

[hibiscus mum]

I'd just say something like, "Sorry can't talk now. I'm in the zone." But yeah, that's so rude.

[Eaglevoice]

Originally Posted by hibiscus mum

I'd just say something like, "Sorry can't talk now. I'm in the zone." But yeah, that's so rude.

That's a good one!

[candipooh]

Yep rude! I can't chat while I am working out either. It throws me to totally off. It would bu the he!! out of me if anyone did that.

I like the last idea of "sorry can't chat, I am in the zone"

[WorldsBestMom]

I agree with what the other posters said. Tell her I am sorry can't talk right now I am in my zone. That must be annoying every time your exercising and she comes over to tap you on the shoulder.

[laohaire]

Less confrontational, but I'd just not remove my headphones and just give her a quick wave and then eyes forward again, like you're assuming she just wanted to wave hi.

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by laohaire

Less confrontational, but I'd just not remove my headphones and just give her a quick wave and then eyes forward again, like you're assuming she just wanted to wave hi.

That is exactly what I would do. I don't like confrontation.

[j_p_i]

Originally Posted by hibiscus mum

I'd just say something like, "Sorry can't talk now. I'm in the zone." But yeah, that's so rude.

This is what I would do too. Or point to your headphones and say, "Sorry I can't hear you! Find me when I'm done!" in a friendly tone, but gets the point across that you don't want to stop listening to music or running to talk to her.

[wendyland]

I can't believe the 'Y' lets her do that. I would complain to them that she's trying to solicit people.