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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it ok to drink water in a gym changing room?

181 replies

EachToHerOwn · 24/09/2017 22:47

Ok, don't shoot me down for asking about such a trivial matter - I know it's trivial, that's what Mumsnet is for!

My DD 4yrs and I were in the changing room after her swimming lesson today, and she was having a drink of water from a bottle. A gym member who had just entered the changing room, pointed to the 'No eating or drinking' sign;
Lady: Have you seen the sign?
Me: We're not eating.
Lady: No eating OR drinking.
Me: (incredulous 😲) It's only water.
Lady: I didn't put the sign up!
Me: Well, I think she's allowed a drink of water. 😧

At this point I left, but was completely gobsmacked by such an attitude!
I completely understand that they wouldn't want people drinking hot drinks, fizzy drinks and even juice but surely it is perfectly acceptable to drink water in a gym setting? Don't most people need a drink during and after their workouts or swimming, including in the changing room?

What would you have said to her?

OP posts:
Lethaldrizzle · 25/09/2017 22:03

I've used gyms all my adult life and have never ever been bothered by eating or drinking humans, either adult or child and have never noticed food and drink detritus. I have however been disgusted by the state of showers and surroundING areas. Hair etc . Yuk

Original poster
EachToHerOwn · 26/09/2017 00:12

Well it's good to see that even a seemingly trivial issue can elicit such diverse responses! Most posters think as I do, that water is permitted. Just to clarify, it was a total random, not a member of staff that made the comment to me. Because she got my goat, I've emailed the gym to ask for clarification 🤔. Then I'll know whether I have to eat humble pie, or laugh in the face of said random if she turns up again next week. I'm glad I don't go to BoffinMum's gym, the masturbating crisp boy must have been quite an experience!

OP posts:
existentialmoment · 26/09/2017 09:35

Just a guess but probably because of the mess unhygienic if it got spill yada yada just a guess though

Could you tell us how spilled water on the wet floor of a pool changing room would be either messy or unhygenic?

Sheila56 · 26/09/2017 16:25

I'd have said " who do you think you're talking to?"..but that's just me..Best off just ignoring people like this..As long as you're not throwing it about, there isn't a problem

StarfishSeahorse · 26/09/2017 17:35

“Do you work here? No?” I suggest you mind your own business then!”

user1485778793 · 26/09/2017 19:15

A child, drinking water after exercise how dare you disobey a sign!

Seriously, wtf is wrong with some people

MummysBusy · 26/09/2017 19:29

I have to be honest, if something says no drinking then i assume that it means no drinking, regardless of the liquid. Also it might be very hard to police otherwise. Staff would have to leap up every time a bottle is lifted to someones lips. Is it water or is it soda? Is it flavoured water? That can be sticky because of the sugar, should I allow it? etc etc.

existentialmoment · 26/09/2017 19:30

Also it might be very hard to police otherwise. Staff would have to leap up every time a bottle is lifted to someones lips

They wouldn't.

Seriously folks, use your loaves.

Bubblebubblepop · 26/09/2017 19:42

I don't even get the angst over non milk. Sip from your bottle of Pepsi? Who cares? As long as you're not mixing a cocktail I don't think it's worth worrying about as a rule

Bubblebubblepop · 26/09/2017 19:43

Non milk?! Non water lol

SunshineLollipopsRainbows25 · 26/09/2017 20:03

water should be fine as it's not sticky when spilled, doesn't stain or smell. fizzy drinks or hot drinks have that chance. food can leave crumbs bla bla bla but water should be fine, that woman needs to get a grip anyway basically telling you that you can't give your 4 year old daughter a drink of water. I hope she had a drink one day in there and you see her!

kootoo123 · 26/09/2017 20:18

What she said was hey the sign says no drinking. What she meant was.. I hate paying monthly fees and having to share with little brats. There is literally no reason why I would be worrying what other ppl are doing in a changing room unless they are taking a dump on the floor.

DrKrogersfavouritepatient · 26/09/2017 20:20

What she said was hey the sign says no drinking. What she meant was.. I hate paying monthly fees and having to share with little brats.
I so think you're right.

user1498983411 · 26/09/2017 22:48

What a silly mow!! Of course it's ok it drink water in the changing room!!

Original poster
EachToHerOwn · 26/09/2017 22:56

What she meant was.. I hate paying monthly fees and having to share with little brats.
Hit the nail on the head Kootoo123! Wink
There is literally no reason why I would be worrying what other ppl are doing in a changing room unless they are taking a dump on the floor.
Or masturbating with a packet of crisps! Shock

OP posts:
GiraffesLikeToDance · 26/09/2017 23:00

A sip of water out a bottle after/before sports is fine. Bringing in your big Mac meal and coke and eating it whole dropping crumbs/causing a smell/spilling stick juice not ok. Imo you are right op.

Tartyflette · 27/09/2017 00:55

Until quite recently I belonged to a gym and pool, part of a large chain, which had an identical sign on the wall in the changing room.
The sign was there to stop parents giving their children food and drinks after their swimming lessons as it inevitably got messy and was a problem for the staff and cleaners.

(During the time I went there I regularly saw crisps and biscuit crumbs, once even a whole chocolate biscuit, dropped on the floor and just left there -- as well as raisins, cheese, bread and sticky cartons of juice or sweet drinks.)
The staff would fall about laughing at the idea that the ban included plain water -- it was placed just above the washbasins, ffs! I mean, you could drink from the tap, (gasp) or even fill up your water bottle there should you so wish.
And the changing room floor was frequently quite wet, seeing as it was just a few steps from the poolside.
A little common sense wouldn't go amiss here.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/09/2017 04:27

I want to know what the gym's answer is.

manicmij · 27/09/2017 08:44

Was your daughter collapsing with dehydration that she had to have the water there and then? Couldn't that wait until out of changing room. There could be an issue of folk finishing even water from bottles and leaving them about in room. NO means NO as far as I'm concerned.

existentialmoment · 27/09/2017 08:45

Do you wait until your children are collapsing with dehydration before you let them have water? Do you need a sign to tell you to stop that?

SunshineLollipopsRainbows25 · 27/09/2017 08:51

OP

Or masturbating with a packet of crisps!

is thins someone you've witnessed 😰

SunshineLollipopsRainbows25 · 27/09/2017 08:51

I meant...

is this something you've witnessed 🙈

BorisTrumpsHair · 27/09/2017 12:50

Do you need a sign to tell you to stop that?
Grin Grin

more signs - the world needs more bossy signs.

Bubblebubblepop · 27/09/2017 13:36

If there were no signs manicmij wouldn't know what to do everyday. They would just stand on the spot silently waiting to be directed by way of sign

BoffinMum · 28/09/2017 21:12

I did witness it and it was weird, odd and annoying in equal measure. Crisps everywhere and this tiny willy being tugged away on. I mean, WTAF?