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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think you don't use your phone in a spa...

42 replies

TinkerbellaPan · 01/01/2015 19:53

Just that really!

Me and dp went to the spa near to us today, quite a naice place, had a massage each and a couple of hours in the general spa facilities.

Over the course of the afternoon we saw at least 3 other guests in the spa area on their mobile phones. Most were not on the phone (ie talking), but just (i assume) texting, browsing online, playing games etc. One girl was even in the sauna with her phone, and we also saw a bloke in there with full headphones! Shock

But even WORSE than that hoicks judgy pants was the guy who was walking round facetiming someone! I could hear him from inside the sauna: "that's the pool, here are the showers" etc etc.

So why would you pay to go to a spa and just sit there on your phone? Confused and worse, why would you go and facetime someone else, loudly, and disturb other guests?! Just relax and enjoy the quiet Grin

In fairness I would understand if you were awaiting an urgent message/call, though me and dp discussed this and struggled to think of a situation that was urgent enough you'd need your phone, but not want to cancel a spa day...

OP posts:
MoreSnowPlease · 01/01/2015 19:59

This reply has been withdrawn

Privacy concerns

MoreSnowPlease · 01/01/2015 19:59

This reply has been withdrawn

Privacy concerns

greeneggsandjam · 01/01/2015 20:02

If they were chatting loudly on the phone then that would be annoying, but if they were just using it to go on the internet to browse or whatever, then what's the problem?

ilovesooty · 01/01/2015 20:03

Facetiming and talking is rude and potentially a disturbance to others. I don't see what's wrong with browsing online or using apps silently.

LapsedTwentysomething · 01/01/2015 20:03

I listened to my audiobook on my phone, using headphones of course, in a spa the other day. If I hadn't had it I'd have been bored shitless for the two hours I spent lounging around on cushions before me massage. The spa wasn't my cup of tea at all. The changing area was mixed and communal, I boaked and had to get out of the jacuzzi when I noticed a clump of body hair and a suspect scan bobbing about, and could only take fifteen minutes or so in the steam room and sauna. So thank goodness for my phone.

ilovesooty · 01/01/2015 20:04

They could, for example, be reading. Would you be judging them if they had a book with them?

LapsedTwentysomething · 01/01/2015 20:05

Suspect scab I meant. Oh and I couldn't have spent two hours listening to the camp gobshite and his friend guffawing at top volume at each other, which is much more rude, I think.

ConfusedInBath · 01/01/2015 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrincessOfChina · 01/01/2015 20:09

I think browsing the Internet, listening to music or reading a Kindle App are all fine.

I agree that Facetime and phone calls are not on.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 01/01/2015 20:11

YANBU. The spa I use only allows mobile phones in the locker area

ForalltheSaints · 01/01/2015 20:19

Totally unacceptable except perhaps in a designated area. Nearly as bad as having to wear swimwear in a sauna.

Original poster
TinkerbellaPan · 01/01/2015 21:54

Ah, I suppose if you were staying in the hotel and sitting down in the spa is free then fair enough.

But for us the spa costs money, so we wanted to be there and wanted to relax, so personally couldn't understand sitting on your phone when you can do that at home.

Tbh, it wasn't bothering me apart from the facetime guy, we were more confused as to why you'd pay to be there then not bake in the sauna! Grin As you all say, it's no bother as being on your phone is as quiet as reading a book, though if you are in and out of the facilities then what do you do with your phone in between?

Maybe some of them were waiting for other people who were off having a treatment, and were there only to keep them company?

OP posts:
cardibach · 01/01/2015 22:31

I like spas and have been to stay in them frequently. You can't bake in the sauna all the time! Part of the beauty of it for me is to be able to lounge about reading or pretending to read magazines. I can see surfing the net fulfilling that purpose too. The face timing is crap though.

sitdownabcheck · 28/05/2015 09:00

would the steam not affect the phone??? i only ask as i'm going to a spa next week on my own and i would love to take my phone in but knowing me i would damage it

Gottagetmoving · 28/05/2015 09:11

It seems people cannot manage without phones/tablets anywhere they go, even if they are spending time in a Spa.
I would have thought it would be a time to just relax and wind down away from Social media and texting/calling.
Perhaps people have forgotten how to spend time on their own or be comfortable doing nothing.

Ladymoods · 28/05/2015 09:14

The one and only spa day I ever went on was so mind numbingly boring that I wish I'd had my bloody phone.

Wolfiefan · 28/05/2015 09:18

I agree. I'm a member of a spa and they have a no mobile rule which lots of people ignore. If there is an issue surely someone can phone reception and get a message to you. The whole point of a bloody spa is to unwind. Mobile phones are not bloody relaxing!
(Yes it gives me the rage!)

Ladymoods · 28/05/2015 09:24

People take books though, when I went as soon as we got to the pool they all whipped their books out or fell asleep. Why is that any better than having a phone with you? You are still ignoring the people you are with, I see no difference.

MsVestibule · 28/05/2015 09:24

YABU. Apart from the FaceTime guy, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. So what if people are using their phone to read/surf/play games? If that's how they relax, rather than reading paper books or magazines (as I would in a spa), who does it affect?

Now the person choosing her ringtone from one of about 20 when I was lounging by a pool in a spa, that was annoying.

Ladymoods · 28/05/2015 09:26

By the way, I'm not really saying that you absolutely should take a phone in but I fail to see how that is any different to taking a book. Why can't people just enjoy each other's conversation and company?

Ladymoods · 28/05/2015 09:30

wolfie it's not really fair to say that mobile phones aren't relaxing, just because they aren't to you doesn't mean they aren't to other people.

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 28/05/2015 09:35

God I love a spa but I do not go there to talk to people! I go there to read, swim and nap. Really irks me when other spa guests are rabbiting on having a good old catch up, constant nattering distracts me from my book/nap!

DoJo · 28/05/2015 11:28

Perhaps people have forgotten how to spend time on their own or be comfortable doing nothing.

Why forgotten? These are not inherently desirable skills, and many people have no wish to cultivate them. I don't enjoy doing nothing and have no particular desire to 'remember' how to do it as I prefer to have my mind active - I don't find it relaxing to be bored.

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 28/05/2015 11:52

I thought the concept of spas was relaxation and to get away from it all. Going to one seems the ideal place to practice mindfullness, so I can't quite understand why people would go specifically to a spa then carry on doing what they'd normally do...being glued to their phone Confused. But then I also don't understand people going to the cinema and playing on their phones either.

Gottagetmoving · 28/05/2015 11:56

Why forgotten? These are not inherently desirable skills, and many people have no wish to cultivate them

Being comfortable doing nothing or being comfortable being alone are VERY desirable skills. Its good for mental health for a start, being able to switch off and relax. If you can't do it - you don't know what you are missing do you? The mind needs quiet time apart from sleeping.

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