Is this rude, or am I just exaggerating the issue
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you know i could potentially understand you BUT ---> 'I think if you smoke, and there are open machines, you should out of respect not get one right beside someone else if you don't have to. Out of respect for others considering not everyone can tolerate that smell. I know most smokers do not realize they carry a smell, but trust me you do' yeah if i was a smoker that part i would found it sort of disrespectful/judgamental , the way i see it is as someone thought the same from if me being obese i'm sitting next to them on an airplane or something and would think that i should pick another chair.
so yeah i believe a lot in not label people like 'i don't smoke and i know better than you' and because you are grown person who surely have this condition since forever would know how to handle this situation better i would assume.0 -
People parking themselves right by me in an otherwise empty room.... they raise suspicion. Smoking odors though, I'm like the only person in the world who doesn't smoke but doesn't care about smoke smells. Unless you're literally shoving my face into an ashtray, I'm unfazed. What I don't wanna smell is someone microwaving FISH in the break room at work. X( I'll take a cigarette over a fish any day.0
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Thank goodness some reasonable people finally chimed in. The first couple pages I was starting to worry how anyone functioned in the world with all the "rules".
I'm huge on personal space...you may not live if you try to hug me and I work in an occupation where arms length is strictly enforced, but it never occurred to me that I should be bothered if someone took a treadmill or chair next to me....if I'm creeped out, I'll move. If they smelled, I'd move cuz it's my issue, not theirs. The world is full of bad smells and sometimes they're on people....perfume is the worst to me, but I've suffered through it many times. My hubby is super allergic to perfume and has had to get off elevators sucking on his inhaler, but somehow he has found a way to function in society without a meltdown. It would be nice if he could live in a scent free world, but that's not how reality works.
My brother is drop dead in minutes allergic to nuts, fish, and eggs and no one made his school a nut, fish, or egg free zone. We ate peanut butter, fish, and eggs regularly in my home growing up. He lived to adulthood....he's still alive because he learned to manage the risks properly. Not to say some freak allergy accidents haven't happened to people in this world, but most people cope.
I vote overreaction. My rant for the day is done. That is all.0 -
its not like she was smoking on the treadmill…so she smoked one before she came in .if the treadmill was open then she as much right to it as anyone else…I mean I guess next time you could tape the thing off and say "mine" to anyone who walks over…
geez...0 -
People parking themselves right by me in an otherwise empty room.... they raise suspicion. Smoking odors though, I'm like the only person in the world who doesn't smoke but doesn't care about smoke smells. Unless you're literally shoving my face into an ashtray, I'm unfazed. What I don't wanna smell is someone microwaving FISH in the break room at work. X( I'll take a cigarette over a fish any day.
We aren't allowed to reheat fish in the break room at my place of employment! There's a lovely little sign above the microwave haha0 -
In the words of Elsa.... Let it go... Let I GOOOO!
I'm going to change an old saying around.....Nobody can annoy you without your permission....0 -
I think there is something of a herd mentality also, that if there are numerous open spots and one person occupying palace, the next perso is going to comeup right next to the first person...kind of a primitive safety in numbers thing...but also, people who smoke, cannot smell iron themselves and don't realize how strong an odor it is
Agree with the herd thing. It's like when I go to the grocery store and all the checkout lines are empty, cashiers jibber jabbering to each other in boredom. Then I get my "Less than 10 items" and rush to check out....only to find DMV style lines forming in at all the stations. Like wtf, peeps?
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So she's not taking a jab at her English skills, just her English reading skills. Got it.WalkingAlong wrote: »
Ignore it. It's probably some jab at your English, though why it references reading, I have no idea.
wait what!?? i just really?? smoking while on the gym plus using a machine? oh god i must sound so silly but i have ever ever seeing that and i didn't think that was possible, i don't know i would be so upset and in shock i suppose although i live outside the U.S so i'll assume that it's consider quite normal there.
ps: to the OP above
of course everyone should respect other people choices BUT my grandma die of lung cancer, she smoke her whole life and when she got to her 50 or 60 she quit.. 15 years later ---) lung cancer, love her and miss her like hell but boy that was a selfish adult decision she did
Reading is funde.....Oh never mind.
hi! can you explain your post? i didn't get it, english it's not my primary lenguage and basically everything i know was learn from watching friends/everybody loves Raymond, so i miss a lot of fun post because of it
Good job on your English. Post away. It's against the rules to correct others on language issues.
it's not a jab at their ESL. the OP said the other person smell of smoke, not that they were smoking while on the equipment. that's what he was taking a cheap shot at.![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
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Yes, you overreacted. I live in NYC and work on an airplane. Someone on the treadmill next to me wouldn't faze me one bit. But maybe I work out at a different intensity and am not paying attention to who or what is near me- I'm focusing on my breathing, stride, and form.0
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A woman sat in the seat right next to my boyfriend when we were in a virtually empty movie theater. It was the strangest thing ever. We got up and moved and she apologized for making us uncomfortable...uhhh YEAH!0
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I have machines I prefer and will get on them regardless of whatever. I wouldn't notice if it was next to the only occupied machine. I try to ignore everyone else at the gym.
But there was this one time ... there are 3 ellipticals in a row. 2 of them were in use, so I got on the one in the middle. Not my preferred one, but whatever. Then the two people on the sides of me left. And two women came in together, and they hopped on the ellipticals on either side of me, and then started conversing. Loudly. Yelling across my face to each other. So freaking rude. I stopped and said to one of them, "We're switching spots". Which is maybe what they wanted, but geez, they could have just asked.0 -
Having grown up in NYC and commuting into the city for work everyday, I learned to zone all that stuff out. A person would have to be on fire for me to even look up. I can understand someone preferring more space but no one has a right to more than the machine they are on or the seat they are sitting in. People at gyms might smell like smoke or worse. They might yell or curse like sailors. Some sweat all over machines and don't wipe them off. If you don't like it, get your own equipment and work out at home. It comes with the territory. If that's not feasible, just gotta suck it up. I do both. There are pros and cons to both.
My old boss was a chain smoker and had all kinds of health issues as a result. I'm sure he's dead by now... anyway, I recall that his sinuses were all fouled up and he couldn't smell anything. So I'm sure she doesn't realize she smelled so offensively. And furthermore, if she is a smoker (with all that goes along with being one) she probably doesn't even care. I admit I don't like smokers; I won't even lie. But it has nothing to do with being territorial. I just think smoking is lame.0 -
WalkingAlong wrote: »
So she's not taking a jab at her English skills, just her English reading skills. Got it.WalkingAlong wrote: »
Ignore it. It's probably some jab at your English, though why it references reading, I have no idea. wait what!?? i just really?? smoking while on the gym plus using a machine? oh god i must sound so silly but i have ever ever seeing that and i didn't think that was possible, i don't know i would be so upset and in shock i suppose although i live outside the U.S so i'll assume that it's consider quite normal there.
ps: to the OP above of course everyone should respect other people choices BUT my grandma die of lung cancer, she smoke her whole life and when she got to her 50 or 60 she quit.. 15 years later ---) lung cancer, love her and miss her like hell but boy that was a selfish adult decision she did
Reading is funde.....Oh never mind.
hi! can you explain your post? i didn't get it, english it's not my primary lenguage and basically everything i know was learn from watching friends/everybody loves Raymond, so i miss a lot of fun post because of it
Good job on your English. Post away. It's against the rules to correct others on language issues.
it's not a jab at their ESL. the OP said the other person smell of smoke, not that they were smoking while on the equipment. that's what he was taking a cheap shot at.
exactly. so it's rude, but not the hate crime you may have wanted to paint it as.
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People are creatures of habit. Maybe that's the machine she ALWAYS shoots for first if it's open. Same thing happens in class settings. Or maybe there was something on the TV in front of you two that she'd rather watch.
I just have to agree that if it's a public space, people have the option to go where they want. Whether or not people will agree or not, doesn't matter to the people who are going to do it anyway. So it's a good rant, but probably won't change a thing.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Didn't read the others, but, this. I can comfortably use any machine at my current gym, but I had a favorite treadmill at another one, because it was right under the fan.
I don't love it when someone takes a space immediately next to me if there are other options, but I don't really care, either.
As for the smoke thing, I highly doubt she was a) aware of her own smell or b) aware of your allergies. Most people hate the smell of smoke, but fewer have allergic reactions, and even fewer have those reactions when a cigarette is not actively lit near them.0 -
Like you said, smokers don't always realize that they smell. In fact, the woman might have thought that YOU were being rude by moving elsewhere to complete your workout. That being said, I don't think you're overreacting. I HATE when there is a full, empty gym and somebody decides they have to more or less work out in my lap. I understand needing space anyway, but especially with the reasons you've given.0
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I am sympathetic to the OP, as I, too, have allergies that can set me off unexpectedly (i.e. I fainted at a crowded music concert once, in the middle of the dance floor, due to an allergic reaction), but that's why I carry my meds everywhere I go. It's my responsibility to take care of myself and remove myself from situations that are potentially hazardous to my health. It can be annoying at times, but I value my comfort and being alive, enough to deal with it
Honestly, I never realized it was such an issue for some people that others take machines next to them in a gym. I actually like when someone gets on a machine next to me, as it usually means I'll try to keep pace or go faster (if possible).
Regardless, I think I tend to side with those who have said that you're really not entitled to more than your share of the public space you're in -- which would be one machine in a gym or one seat in a theatre.
The only time I've been annoyed when someone sat next to me was when I was trying to work in a coffee shop and two grown women decided to occupy my couch and make out like teenagers in a back alley. It would have been okay if they could have been a little more quiet and not flailing their arms and legs about and endangering my much-needed morning mocha.
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ugh, smelly people.
I work in the video games industry... you'd think I can handle smelly people now. Nope. Cigarette smokers get the least leeway from me.0 -
In a public area your personal space is limited to that immediately around you.
Smoking is a legal activity.
A person can smell how they please ( hence the obnoxious perfume industry)
It is up to the individual being offended to resolve their issue.
The OP did the right thing to move herself into her own comfort zone.
Cheers, h.
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I totally get where you're coming from. I'm painfully allergic to fragrances and am an asthmatic on top of it. I have to bring a mask and benedryl to do anything in public because people leave trails of perfume/cologne. As much as I moan about "seriously can't people smell themselves?", "your scent should be discovered not ANNOUNCED!" (I feel like some people's scents scream out into the air around them, it's horrible) people can smell how they want to. Unfortunately, I just avoid places where there's a lot of ladies and go to the gym right before close/try to do most of my exercise at home. What else can you really do?0
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I can see that it's annoying that she started training on the treadmill next to you, but it happens so I'd suggest you get around it. If she started running on your treadmill, now that would be funny. On another note re the smoking, smokers I believe are immune to their own smell (ie I'm assuming you don't notice how much you smell as you're used to it). If you are sensitive to it, then unfortunately this is your problem, not theirs.0
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I always try to skip a machine if I can help it. Not only do I like to have my personal space but it can get hot quickly when I get packed in between two people.
Strong smells make it worse. Not to be indelicate but if you plan to breath heavy for half an hour to two hours maybe consider brushing your teeth or at least chewing some gum first?
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I completely get it, I would have probably moved to a different machine as well. That being said, I wouldn't go as far as to call it rude. It's just very annoying, but so are many things people do.
I can't stand cigarette smell either. I used to work in a store, and a regular customer smelled so badly of cigarettes and alcohol, I couldn't breath near him. I would always have to leave the areas he visited (lucky for me, he always bought the same things so I knew which aisles to avoid) and go do something else, and let my co-workers serve him.0 -
I agree completely, I always aim for a machine that is not close to anyone. A few weeks back this older man decided to climb up on the one beside me and he wreaked before starting. At first I tried to ignore the smell but the smell got worse as the minutes ticked by and they started to come in waves. I stopped my workout and changed machines making sure there was at least a minimal of three machines between us.0
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[/quoteOk, NOW you're being overly dramatic.
Yes, what she did was mildly annoying. I'm sure she didn't realize that the faintest whiff of cigarettes would put you in the morgue.
[/quote]
+1
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ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »I personally would avoid using a machine next to someone if another one was open. As a smoker and an adult it is my decision to smoke, just like some people choose to overload on spray and that God awful Axe stuff. I'm not oblivious to the fact I smell like a smoker, but it's my choice, so in public I could really give two *kitten* whether someone is bothered or not. I've quit every time I was pregnant and nursing but I always start back up because I want to. I know all the risks and have seen the negative effects of smoking due to the complications my grandfather had from being a life long smoker. I worked in the healthcare field for eight years and I've done my research. It's something that I enjoy and when I stop enjoying it I'll quit. I'm not one to get in someone's personal space anyway if I don't have to. I choose not to smoke in my house and I also am respectful of other's rules on smoking. I don't smoke in public places unless it is a designated zone. Not all smokers are horrible people, they just smell like smokers, which obviously offends tons of people on here. I hate the smell of alcohol and beer and I choose not to drink anymore but I don't chastise anyone who smells like it. God forbid an adult makes their own decisions that doesn't agree with everyone.
Wow. You read way too much into the entire post.
Oh, and just because you're not in ones "personal space" doesn't mean that stale smell of smoke that is emanating from you goes away. Also, I don't think that the smell of smoke offends "tons of people on here. Pretty sure it offends a lot of people.
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I think in this case, it's a fire v fire matter.
Keep a rind of the ol limburger. Or that hippy favorite, patchouli for jokers like ol smokey. When they hop on to gallumph about next to you, smelling like the butt end of an ash tray. Rub some of that revenge perfume on, and go to work.
If they move. Follow them to another machine.0 -
But there are people that smoke that will go to the gym. I smoked for 20 years before quitting. You can't dictate to people that they can't smoke before coming into the gym.magsmichelle wrote: »you paid for the right to use one machine. they paid for the right to use one machine. you don't get to dictate which machine they exercise that right upon. they can't use yours.....and that's it. everything else is fair game. you don't get to get the screen showing Wheel of Fortune and force everyone else to other side of the room to watch CNBC while they whittle away an hour on a deathmill.
feel free to run outside if you want to be alone
You totally missed where I have asthma and cannot breathe when one of my triggers is present..it had nothing to do with being alone it had everything to do with her smell flared up my asthma, and I couldn't really breathe.
Again, people are creatures of habit. Maybe that's her favorite treadmill.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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So if someone reeks of body odor and you're offended by it then good to discuss that with the club staff too? People do smell when they work out you know.tedboosalis7 wrote: »That is so gross. I would've been offended - enough to move to another treadmill. Maybe it's not worth the conversation out loud, but maybe discussing to club staff and moving away from her would be good moves. Sorry to hear about that. Yuck!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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So if someone reeks of body odor and you're offended by it then good to discuss that with the club staff too? People do smell when they work out you know.tedboosalis7 wrote: »That is so gross. I would've been offended - enough to move to another treadmill. Maybe it's not worth the conversation out loud, but maybe discussing to club staff and moving away from her would be good moves. Sorry to hear about that. Yuck!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
lol... but that might mess up their hair if they're going so hard they're sweating.
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