To avoid dating athletes because they see everything through sports analogies?

[ForGreatMintDreamer]

I’ve dated a couple of athletes and I’ve noticed they constantly relate everything to sports - relationships are a a “team effort,”arguments are “strategy discussions,” and setbacks are just “part of the game.” I get that it’s their world but it starts to feel like they view life as one big competition.

AIBU to find this exhausting and prefer someone who doesn’t frame everything as a match or a training session?

You could apply the same stereotype to any occupation.

Don't date engineers- they always use logic to get their point across
Don't date accountants- they won't like frivolous spending
Don't date a dietician- they'll tell you don't need another slice of cake

They are all lazy stereotypes.

Date people and if you don't like dating them for any reason, date someone else!

What @DoYouReally said.

You are being daft.

What about athletes competing in individual sports? Not every athlete plays a team sport.

i’ve never heard athletes speak like that. Most are very self focussed and insular about their training and competing.

Don't date a joiner. Every time the bed creaks, he'll want to check the joints.

Sounds more just like corporate speak

Yeah, I’m going to have to stop hanging about with professional athletes, I mean they’re ten a penny but such a bore.

Yeah, you can't bloody move for athletes round our way spouting off their professional jargon. Proper pisses me off it does.

Fair point! I was mostly thinking of team sport athletes, but even with individuals competitors, I’ve found that the hyper-focused mindset can spill into relationships. It’s like everything is about discipline, sacrifice, and ‘pushing through,’ which can be admirable but also a bit much in a romantic context. Have you found individual sport athletes to be different in relationships?

I think this is just men tbh. I'd bet all these athletes have corporate jobs too?

This feels like a sex and the city episode

That’s a very specific ‘type’! Personally I would go for integrity and personality rather than a specific profession.

2

Check this song out

Never date a tennis player, love to them is nothing!

😁@Joopy

You might be onto something! Maybe it’s less about the athlete part and more about a certain type of guy who always has to frame life in terms of competition and strategy. I just noticed it more with athletes because sports is their whole world. Do you think corporate guys do it just as much?

I don't think it's ever bothered me the way it seems to get to you, but I spend most of my social life with athletes because I am one 🤣 and have also had a long corporate career. I'd say the men at work are far more aggressively competitive in everyday life than the athletes are.

Sounds like the way the men in The Big Band Theory use analogies to do with super heroes.

The women roll their eyes so hard.

Ha ha ha. I dated a pro rugby player and I’d forgotten this. That and the weighing of all their food.

I'd be reluctant (well would be if I was their age) because they need to be single minded and would expect me to be not their first priority. I'd also think I would not be much good in a relationship once their athletic career had ended and the void it brings them.

Athletes make up a minuscule part of the general population. It’s really not hard to avoid dating them.