Meeting people at the gym.

[owenmeany]

How do you do it, exactly? I'm probably pretty rude at the gym because I just want to work out. Open to the process of socializing while sweating, I welcome any anecdotes that may elucidate the process.

[Starfish81]

I tried to hit on someone at the gym once. I told him he looked familiar, and I asked him if we went to high school together. We chatted for a bit, and it was friendly. But nothing ended up happening, because I didn't go back to that gym (at home) for about six months, and when went back home for winter break, he had a girlfriend.

I'll try the line again sometime if I see a cute guy, because it worked that time :).

[artbabe]

i'm developing a really negative attitude toward most of the men i get to know lately.

as a result, i want to keep the gym hotties at bay. if they're good to look at then i just want to enjoy them as that and not ruin the good thing i have.

most people you get to know let you down. correction...most people you get to know in the 'dating' sense are retards.

there i said it.

[Tayl405]

I don't really talk to anyone at the gym. The girls are really unfriendly and the guys are mostly all meatheads (or wannabe meatheads). The staff's pretty friendly, and I don't think just because they have to be. I wouldn't mind meeting people just to chat with while I'm there, but I also don't want any distractions--I'm there to work out, not socialize.

It seems the girls are always sizing you up. But then I find myself watching the other girls, but it's really just for workout ideas (like strength-training exercises and stuff). But I get the impression from a lot of girls that they either think they are inferior or superior, and therefore will not even say hello. What's up with that?

[hoodie]

It's a toss up I guess. I would never hit on someone at the gym because it'd feel so awkward, but if I was hit on respectfully by a cute guy, I'd consider it.

[and1grad]

I thought owen was more looking for ideas to actually just start up convo. What I do is I comment on what they're doing. Normally, I'll ask "what does that do?" Then you can follow it up with something like "oh, i usually do this to work that body part but its getting easy/makes me sore/whatever." Also, you can comment on whatever book somebody's reading. A tattoo maybe. I'd stay away from clothing and the wow, you're in good shape stuff. Very weird.

[owenmeany]

I was at the gym today and ran into another reporter from around here. We'd seen one another before on assignments and made eye contact. Never really talked.

So, I've met someone at the gym.

[Starfish81]

i'm developing a really negative attitude toward most of the men i get to know lately...

most people you get to know let you down. correction...most people you get to know in the 'dating' sense are retards.

artbabe, I heard that. Dating sucks. Most of the guys I get to know in a friendly dating type have let me down. I need to find the non-retards.

I am open to any and all suggestions/recommendations/set-ups.

[artbabe]

is it us or is it them?

[Starfish81]

is it us or is it them?

Well, I know it's not me. :neutral:

[wordsmith]

I'm not approachable at the gym. Because I'm self-conscious about my level of fitness and abilities and stuff, I feel awkward and uncomfortable if somebody approaches me. And women are super competitive at my gym, they pretty much ARE always sizing one another up. Which usually just kind of makes me want to get in and get out as quickly as possible with as little small talk.

[MetFanL]

as a result, i want to keep the gym hotties at bay. if they're good to look at then i just want to enjoy them as that and not ruin the good thing i have.

I feel the same way. There are a few people I'll talk to, but not many...

And, I'm probably unapproachable at the gym too, words. I just put on my headphones and seriously zone out. I got REAL worked up on the treadmill the other day and I caught a glance of my face in the mirror -- I looked EVIL. Plus, I work out in the fre weight/"men's" section, so there really aren't any girls to chat w/ back there and the boys are too busy swearing, grunting and good gaming each other to chat with me.

[MetFanL]

J-Girl, I usually get the "why don't you smile?" comment. Boys, a word of advice, don't EVER say this to a girl. I know I don't find it amusing. And, quite frankly, asking me that question doesn't make me want to smile. What is the deal with your ego that you think you're worth smiling for? That wasn't a witty comment.

Sorry, min-rant... that just makes me nuts.

[and1grad]

Good gaming each other?

[MetFanL]

You know, when a guy taps another guy on the bum in a congratulatory manner? A "good game" tap? Am I the only one that calls it that?

[Starfish81]

I can easily talk to women at the gym. I make friends in the locker room etc. Small talks and all. With men, its a whole different ball game.

Me too. Usually the women I talk to at the gym are nice.

[wordsmith]

I know EXACTLY what you're talkin' about, Met! I think it's a baseball thing. Even at the Little League level around here, they do the "good game, good game, good game" high fivin', ass tappin' line after the game.

[and1grad]

Wow...flashback to the 90s. Nobody does the ass-slap anymore. Sounds your gyms are a lil too "friendly."

[MetFanL]

Nobody does the ass-slap anymore

Oh yes they do... Either way, they're still so into doing their boy thing (they say their weirdest most inappropriate things when they think I can't hear them) that they're usually not talking to me. Which, for the most part, is TOTALLY fine.

[mishl982]

I just smile at people in the gym - my work gym at least. Most of the people there work in the same company as I do. Actually today I held a conversation with one of my coworkers in there (who I don't normally converse with much) so that was pretty cool.

[and1grad]

Ya...who ass-slaps while lifting weights? Just weird.

[wordsmith]

Wow...flashback to the 90s. Nobody does the ass-slap anymore.

HELL-o, look at where I live...gee, ya think it's possible they're a little behind (pun intended)? Naaaaaah.

Sounds your gyms are a lil too "friendly."

Yeah, and no...you've got the guys playin' grab ass, but the women just look one another up and down and whisper.

[cornflakegirl]

the gym i belonged to in san fran was in the castro (for those who don't know, it is the gay mecca of the world). i loved guy watching there. plenty of guy hugging going on & some wonderfull outfits. i think all the women that go to this gym just want to be left alone (by guys) while working out.