So he’s a story from the pool today…
I’m doing my laps minding my own business.
And this guy gets to the pool, sits down, and immediately pulls out his cellphone.
Then he proceeds to literally yell into his phone for probably a good half an hour.
I’m doing my laps and I can hear this guy yelling:
– At his end of the pool
– ALL the way at the opposite end of the pool
– With earplugs
– AND even underwater
And he goes on and on and on.
Doesn’t stop for even a breath of air.
Now, in all the years swimming, I’ve never had to approach someone about their behavior like this.
BUT this was too much as my head was pounding from his incessant yelling.
I waited until he finished his call.
And it happened to coincide with me finishing my laps.
I come out of the pool and grabbed my stuff.
I have to pass him on the way out.
And I’m still debating with myself whether this schlemiel is even worth it.
My head is still throbbing from his yelling.
I stop in front of his chair.
Now he’s pulled out a book and is trying to read.
I say:
Excuse me.
He knows he did something wrong, and he barely looks up, trying to ignore me.
I say again:
Excuse me. Did you intend for everyone at the pool to hear your ENTIRE conversation?
He starts murmuring something, and then says throwing it back on me:
What’s the problem?
So I say:
You were speaking so loud, I could hear you all the way on the opposite end of the pool. I could even hear you under the water.
He’s agitating now and he says:
Well, I was speaking to someone 85-years old who doesn’t hear well. You get it?
So I say respectfully:
I am sorry that he doesn’t hear well, but does everyone else here around the pool also need to hear the conversation?
Then he says:
So what–I don’t care if everyone hears.
I try one more time.
Do you see all these other people trying to read, rest, swim–do you at all care?
He still can’t get himself to come around, and instead doubles down and says,
Well. I’ll do whatever I want!
Now, I’ve had enough, and I say:
So basically you don’t give a shit for ANY of your neighbors, do you?
Finally, he must of been embarrassed enough at his terrible behavior, and he backs down and says:
Next time he calls me, I’ll take the conversation inside!
At which point, he goes back to his book, and I complete my exit.
It took all that just to get him to say he’ll handle it differently next time and basically be respectful of his neighbors and not a selfish pig!
It’s amazing–some people really just can’t own up to when they are being a jerk.
But I was glad this guy finally came around–maybe there is still hope. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
andyblumenthal 