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Some gyms are actually skipping political/news stations. If one set of patrons is proving that antagonizing to another I can see why that might happen. Although my bigger gripe is people living on their smart phones while physically on a piece of equipment.
To be honest I think it would be funny to wear the most offensive T-shirt from the opposing party. When questioned just tell the oafs you really do not care but they are so annoying you've defected to the other side.
To be honest I think it would be funny to wear the most offensive T-shirt from the opposing party. When questioned just tell the oafs you really do not care but they are so annoying you've defected to the other side.
ROFL! That's hilarious. Trolling would probably get you shot, but still freaking hilarious.
If you want to control your environment stay home where you can control your environment. My gym is open to people with severe disabilities that can also be disturbing - should they not be allowed? How about people who dress totally inappropriate and show way too much? Gyms are social places and where friends meet up to work out.
That's just life in a public gathering place in America. There are going to be differences. While I would prefer people keep their politics to themselves, people can wear their political T-shirts and talk politics with their friends at the gym, although maybe some consideration for others would be nice. It is tacky, yes. There was a guy at my gym who always came with a MAGA hat on and while I wish he didn't, I wasn't about to say he couldn't or shouldn't. I feel the same about people and their political bumper stickers - but it is their car, not mine. Now sometimes people can go too far and start trying to actively intimidate others based on politics, race, religion, etc., and say, "But all I was doing was...." when they know well and good their intention was something darker. I do think we need to not let that kind of stuff go on - I don't think that applies to the case you are describing. The gym I go to itself does have some TVs on Fox and CNN news stations and I wish it didn't, I'd rather it stick to the ESPN, Game Show network, HGTV etc. But I guess people are obsessed with their news and can't stand being at the gym for an hour without it or something.
A and B are annoying, largely because they're having any conversation loudly, it's just that politics are worse. But, it sounds like they're both okay with having the conversation. C and D, so what? They're not bothering anyone else.
Honestly, I thought from the title that this was going to be a thread about people who insist on talking about politics to you at the gym when you don't want to.
Who's at fault here: everyone, nobody or one side?
Persons A/B:
At my gym, two people come in and work out on elliptical machines together: they stand on the elliptical machines and move them, slowly, for 20 minutes. While they are on the elliptical machines, they discuss their political views very loudly: they wear T-shirts with the name of their political party on them, and they very loudly refer to members of the other main party in a disparaging way (think "Nazis" or "Communists"). The whole gym can hear them.
Person C:
This guy wears a T-shirt from a Senator's political campaign, with the senator's name on it. I commented on it one day and he mentioned that he wears it just so Persons A/B will be quiet. I watched him, and when Persons A/B began yelling one day about how much they despise members of the other political party, he walked over to them and got on the elliptical machine next to them. Persons A/B saw the shirt, definitely noticed it and stormed off.
Person D:
He wears a T-shirt from a Presidential campaign over 10 years ago. I asked him about it and he said that it's a T-shirt, and he needs gym clothes, so he wears it. He did not comment about politics.
Are they all nuts? Or are Persons A/B obnoxious and Person C petty? Or is this an American gym in 2019?
Persons A & B are being rude by talking loudly/yelling. The fact that politics is their topic of choice is mostly irrelevant, except that those of us who are politically active may wish to escape politics while at the gym.
Person C may be a bit petty, or that may simply have been his passive-aggressive way of getting back at A & B.
I've never really experienced anything like this at a gym. If I heard two people loudly having a conversation about politics and supporting a position I disagreed with, I'd just ignore it and carry on with my workout.
Now if the conversation was about sports...well, sometimes I can't help but chime in.
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