Why would you do that to yourself?

leadiax3 · August 2013

Great story! I also enjoy my hair color changing to suit my mood. I also have tattooes. Usually peeps r complimentary. Even if they dont mean it.... My gramma hates my deviation from norm. I just cant believe someone interrupted your workoutto engage in that bull crap conversatio. I am proud of u for making her feel dumb.

katorihanzo · August 2013

I've experienced this too. It just occurred to me though, reading someone else's response, that an actually curious "why did you get that one?" (though still none of their business at least they aren't trying to be rude) could easily be mistaken for "why WOULD you get that?" or "why DID you do that?". Although OP this is totally obviously NOT what your own particular crazy lady meant. She's in a league of her own. I was appalled when I read that but I applaud you! :drinker:

MyJourney1960 · August 2013

wow. she lost me at the poke. who does that? and at the gym?

you did good - good responses.

staplebug · August 2013

What gall and insensitivity to have to do something like that to a total stranger.

Seriously! I didn't know that people actually did that. So rude!

YaGigi · August 2013

Good job.

I'd also report her to the gym management for harassing you. Demand her to stay as away from you as possible and its the management obligation to keep youfeeling secure.
Just give her hard time she deserves.

DMJS · August 2013

The sad truth is... If she would have just struck up a conversation with you, she would have seen what an amazing person you are and forgot about all the body art. I myself don't have any but, I love talking to people who do. Such artistic talent, incite and truly caring people. I have a couple of nieces who have done it all. They also are the sweetest, kindest people you would want to meet. I completely loved your responses. Kudos!!!

jwcomputergirl · August 2013

Your comeback was BRILLIANT! I am so impressed... I usually think of just the 'right' thing to say about 10 minutes after the opportunity. :ohwell:

emsoquena · August 2013

People should mind their own business. Nice comeback!

norahwynn · August 2013

that's awesome. you handled that perfectly!!

pseudomuffin · August 2013

"If you ever touch me again, I'll break your f---ing finger."

I get this too due to my septum piercing/gauged ears/etc. People need to mind their own business. Grrrawr.

JuantonBliss · August 2013

I applaud you

I've had piercings since middle school and dyed my hair since elementary(like 5th grade) and most people think it's pretty cool. I think alot of people are intimidated by them because perhaps they're too afraid themselves to get something like it cause they're afraid of being judged. Hell, when I graduated HS one of my teachers was giving a speech and she goes around saying something about every student and the thing she said about me was that everyone looked forward to me dying my hair every season haha

thatonegirlwiththestuff · August 2013

Shut the front door. That's awesome. *high fives*

Maidofmer · August 2013

I used to get that all the time when I worked in retail - but I was never allowed to talk back

The one that always surprised me is "do you know your hair is blue?!" Ummm. Yes.. I had noticed, but thank you... I always wanted to run to a mirror, and be all like "****, why has this happened?!?!?!?"

Well done on owning her!

lol I know what you mean. back when I was a bus girl, they let me do what ever I wanted, hair, make up, tattoos, and the customers loved it. made them happy, bright colors and happy server. but when I got all the Do you know you're hair is blue, pink, green, etc, all I did was say ****, though I was still Barbie blonde.

Maidofmer · August 2013

thanks for the good vibes and stories about similar happenings. so far, haven't seen her around, but I haven't really looked. didn't report her because, honestly wouldn't do much good and i'm not going to let her get to me. I'm sure she'll f up again, and she may get her membership frozen or revoked. other than that, all good. keep the good karma up and good things eventually happen. like today I discovered I have collar bones! don't think I would have had them show as soon if I let her get to me that day. so, yay and you're all so awesome for keeping the good karma going

AEMW8 · August 2013

I love some peoples tattoos, especially if they really mean something to someone. It's when someone goes and gets a tat just to look cool that I have a slight problem with. But hey, it's your body, decorate it however you want. The only body modifications I really have a problem with are the ear gauges and nose rings. I'm sorry, I just find them distasteful. And that's why I'm not going to get them.

TheConsciousFoody · August 2013

You handled that far better than me. I probably would have ninja kicked her in the face. Kudos to you!

Caddell · August 2013

Good on you for not stooping to her level in being nasty but still getting your point across.

Maidofmer · August 2013

a throat punch did come to mind, but I need that membership lol but really, can't let strangers bother me anymore with unwanted opinions that are just meant to be put downs

Nicolee_2014 · August 2013

What a b!tch. She's lucky you weren't the kinda person that slapped her from there to Australia!

Ocarina · August 2013

I know 0 things about tattoos or piercings or unnatural hair dye. I don't even have ear piercings.... Yeah I'm weird and afraid of needles and hate maintaining hair dye like that. I just barely managed to get contacts on my eyeballs LOL

But I don't go walking around poking people and judging their lifestyle... Seriously?!? I have to say this lady has dementia, a horrible day or she's just plain evil. I commend you for being the better person and she is lucky it was someone like you. Thanks for sharing this and I hope anyone who has a stereotype against people different then them will learn something.

fannyfrost · August 2013

Why do you do that to yourself?

I've heard this since I was a teenager, and I know full well it's not meant as a compliment or as a natural curiosity, especially when it's said with a very condescending tone.

Here I am, at the gym, minding my own business, staying out of everyone's way listening to my ear buds, music on max so I can stay in my own little world. I'm on the elliptical, trying for my 65 minutes, and a lady comes up behind me and pokes me on my side. Like a hard jab poke. I hate, HATE being touched by strangers, especially on my sides, with no warning, and while I am on a machine. I don't know anyone here, so it's not a friend. Case of mistaken identity perhaps? Waiting for a machine? Nope. There was about 15 other ellipticals available, and the look on her face, a look of disgust and, well, just a ***** look gave it away. I slowed down cause I don't want my progress erased.

"Yes?"

"Why do you do that to yourself?"

I know what she meant. I love to dye my hair. Now it is a crimson burgundy color. I also have various tattoos and piercings. I am 24. I am not going to put up with some stranger trying to put me down. I turn it around and she goes away pissed.

"Exercise? Well, I want to lose weight and get healthy. Same as everyone I guess."

Ugh. She points to my head. Nooo, (snobby tone) <i>that!</i> Why do you do that?

"Oh, uh, the music helps me get through it."

She rolls her eyes and moves a hip. "Uh, your hair."

"I put it in a bun so it won't stick to my skin when I sweat."

She's mad and I'm having a ball.

Gawd... No! Why do you dye your hair that color and have all those tattoos and piercings? I mean, why would you do that to yourself?

No side stepping that one.

"I like to, I like them, and I want to."

Snobby and ***** like. They look awful and you should have never done it.

I'm not one for petty name calling or telling people **** like that. I then ask her why she wears make up.

　

Uhh, it makes me look good. One eye brow raised, hands crossed, I'm-better-than-you stance.

　

"Shame they don't make make up for personalities because yours is disgusting."

　

She opened her mouth, shocked and feeling insulted, giving me the dirtiest look yet.

Cheesy, I know, but I got what I wanted. I smile, put my ear buds back in, and continue my workout.

　

I don't get people like that. I'm sure we all went to kindergarten and watched Bambi at one point in our lives. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And keep your hands to yourself.

Great responses. but the short answer on people like that:

1- they are conformists and difference drives them crazy
2- they need to put others down to feel good about themselves

Your responses threw her for loop because you answered 1 that you are a non-conformist and happy about it and 2 said that she isn't better than you because of her behavior. So great job