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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed at this woman at Zumba?

64 replies

midlifehope · 09/03/2016 21:38

So I look forward to my hour of Zumba a week - it's a rare hour away from my very young children. Dp encourages me to go and looks after DCs.

So tonight I rushed home - got changed, got my water and got to the community hall in good time. I found a place to stand, middle line, where I could clearly see the instructor. The music started, lights went off (we have disco lights!) and I was getting into the flow and smiling away - the instructor was smiling back.
Then a woman blustered in late and flustered and plonked herself right in front of me, blocking my view completely of the teacher and the complicated coreography. I was squeezed by a wall, and another lady.

Aibu to think this woman was thoughtless. I was angry she undermined my enjoyment as I couldn't see what was going on and missed some of the moves!!! Grrrr

OP posts:

Chocolatteaddict1 · 09/03/2016 22:05

Ah I can just see op furious Zumba dancing in my mind

YouTheCat · 09/03/2016 22:14

Our yoga teacher won't tolerate latecomers. He sends them packing by just pointing at the door and saying 'no'.

It says very clearly that people going to classes, where I go, need to be there 5 minutes before the class starts. He's fine so long as we haven't started.

If late people are tolerated then they should plonk themselves at the back and not make a nuisance of themselves.

angielou123 · 09/03/2016 22:29

How annoying your session got ruined by a thoughtless latecomer. I would of politely but firmly said 'Excuse me, your blocking my view'.

ginagiraffe · 09/03/2016 22:30

Barge her out of the way next time lol xx

emsyj · 09/03/2016 22:33

YANBU! If you're a regular at an exercise class, you totally have a 100% entitlement to Your Spot. If someone comes in late and stands in your way, you are well within your rights to stand on them and act as though they are invisible if they don't clear the area. That's what I have had to do at my 80s aerobics class. Even the instructor used to announce at the start, 'If you haven't been before, make sure you move with the direction of the class otherwise they'll trample on you - they've got no mercy this lot!!!' Them's the rules.

iwuddarryl · 09/03/2016 22:52

This ALWAYS happens to me.

I get there nice and early to get a good space. (Usually to right of centre so I can see the instructor) and there is always some twat who arrives late and squashes themselves right next to me.

What's worse, I have had them glare at me, as if I have pinched their favorite spot.

OP I feel your pain too.

iwuddarryl · 09/03/2016 22:55

I sometimes wish fitness centers would mark out spaces on the floor - where the exercise mats should go.
(Bit like parking bays)

It would make life simpler.

Original poster

midlifehope · 09/03/2016 23:00

Choc when you put it like that it makes me chuckle!

OP posts:

Original poster

midlifehope · 09/03/2016 23:02

Thanks for all your replies. I feel vindicated!

OP posts:

GingerCuddleMonsterThe2nd · 09/03/2016 23:07

A woman did this to me before, I'll admit I wasn't in the best of moods at the time, and I'm generally a grumpy person.

It just flew out of my mouth before I could stop it, she steeped in front of me and the words "what do you think you are doing?!" Came out of my mouth louder than I thought they would, week she turned round and said "pardon" it was too late, I was committed to this now I replied "your not standing there, you will block my view, I was here first" yes I replied like any 6 year old would "I was here first"....she stomped off in a mood

smartiesaretheanswer · 09/03/2016 23:20

YANBU! I hate this when someone comes and squeezes in right in front of you, and you can't even move or you'd be squashing the person behind you!

Katenka · 10/03/2016 09:09

Yanbu. Used to happen in my Kettlebell class all the time.

But I just used to say 'Hi, you are blocking my view, can you move over.'

I could give a fuck if it bothers them.

Yabu to not say anything.

EmmaWoodlouse · 10/03/2016 15:44

She may have been either a bit short-sighted or not very confident of her ability to follow the moves unless she was right in front of the instructor. I prefer to be in the front if possible, although I will stand somewhere else if necessary. And I've never heard of the concept of "your space" - it's been first come first served in any class I've been to.

Ameliablue · 10/03/2016 16:17

I'm quite confused I don't go to many classes and this thread is making me even more self conscious at the thought. I would assume someone new coming in, seeing a space at the front would go there. I don't understand why you would purposely take a middle or back space if you want to be able to see the instructor clearly. Am I missing something or is there some sort of etiquette that new comers probably don't know anything about.

Katenka · 10/03/2016 16:29

If you join a class late, you slip in at the back. Don't go and stand in front of someone.

Personally I prefer classes where people who are late aren't allowed in.

BlueFolly · 10/03/2016 16:33

I think if you get to something late you take the most 'obvious' spot. You don't have time to recce the room.

I am crap at stuff and always go to the front so I have best chance of being able to follow.

If you want to be at the front you need to go to the front, therefore YABU.

LizardBreath · 10/03/2016 16:36

This happened to me in body combat. I kicked her-hard! Genuine accident but shows she was too close!

It really helps when there's a good instructor who suggests people step forwards or stand and spin arms out to check closeness.

LizardBreath · 10/03/2016 16:37

Also agree re not being allowed in.

WaitrosePigeon · 10/03/2016 16:39

She's unreasonable just for being late. I do a few yoga classes a week and there's always some twat that comes in late and ruins the flow.

donajimena · 10/03/2016 16:40

Oh my goodness I didn't realise this was a common 'thing' I attend a session 3 times a week and when I got proficient I decided to go to a new class in a different venue (same instructor)
I settled into a spot in good time and when the class had started in flew a woman and stood next to me (we are talking shoulder to shoulder) she did this about 3 weeks in a row and on week 3 I was fed up of being shunted out of position so I said 'ooh would you mind giving me a bit more room'
Well she went balistic. Raging about she had been coming for years and I hadn't.
Fair enough love but you are fucking late all the time! It was clearly 'her spot' and she was having it regardless of whatever time she turned up.
The good news is that despite me coming off far worse in that verbal exchange she hasn't done it since

Katenka · 10/03/2016 16:40

This happened to me in body combat. I kicked her-hard! Genuine accident but shows she was too close!

this is the problem. It's often unsafe.

I think if you get to something late you take the most 'obvious' spot. You don't have time to recce the room.

You should take time.

RockUnit · 10/03/2016 16:48

she was basically saying she was ace, pushing in front late like that

Really? Maybe she just saw a space and went to it. It's not unusual to have someone blocking your view (or be blocking someone's view yourself without realising). You just ask them politely to move over a bit.

carabos · 10/03/2016 16:50

I was late to my HIIT class last night so I slipped in at the back . That's what any normal person would do. The instructor brought me a mat and nobody was distracted or disturbed. YANBU.

carabos · 10/03/2016 16:53

donajimena something similar happened to me in a body pump class. This woman only came to the Sunday class, and only to that because her DD was teaching it. I got there, got set up etc, then she arrived and moved all my stuff - weights, mat, towel the lot as I was standing there. Her response to my was *I'm teacher's mum". That was it. "I'm teacher's mum".

8angle · 10/03/2016 16:53

this is one reason why i don't do Zumba ... there are many others too!

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