It’s possible I’m nicer than previously thought.
But this is just a working theory, based on the odd observation that I accidentally know names/faces/kid stats if applicable of more than a dozen women at various gyms. All sizes, ages, shapes. I’m not sure how or why this started, but we know each other and look for each other and remember details of each other’s lives. And it’s getting worse. Worse, because I really don’t want friends. Except y’all, and the few I might have in Real Life. So this social pattern should probably stop soon, or at least slow down.
We small talk, and maybe more than small talk. Assuming you cross the threshold of Small Talk and head into other territory when a gal asks you to ‘lift up in prayer’ her husband’s low sperm count.
I know. I wish she hadn’t used the “lift up” phrase, as well. Must have been a serious dose of Grace of God that I did not laugh in her face and then have to apologize for my total immaturity and seek repentance right there at the gym with a darling little blonde who just wants to have babies. I agreed, and later, did pray. Generally, if someone is nervy enough to ask me to pray about something – watch out. I will assume you mean right then and there and I will whip out some Jesus on you and pray. This was the exception. I would have laughed, despite it obviously not being funny, but I’m quite literal and I had an unfortunate and inappropriate visual going on.
Maybe I’m not that nice after all. And that’s somewhat of a relief.
This is a part of Texas where small talk is everywhere, and people will talk Jesus to you anywhere and anytime. I mind this far less than I used to. These gym ladies will talk anything. They’ve invited me to prayer groups and bible studies, offered samples of Advocare, asked to see my abs (uh… no), and even told me where the latest bargains are to be found for jingly belly dancing skirts. I politely declined all of them but chatted away, regardless of the fact that I am not a chatting type.
I like them. There’s not a single one of them that I don’t like. This morning I was having the best time talking with a girl named Robin when I noticed her black t-shirt had pink words saying, “Be my BFF.”
I wanted to stop talking to her immediately when i saw that. Who wears that?! And why did she have to be so funny? I don’t want to be anyone’s gym BFF, and it better not happen by accident when I’m not looking.
It’s such a challenge to maintain a commitment to anti-social behavior in a town this friendly. (But I intend to win.)
I love you.
4:51 pm
Even Oscar the Grouch had Slimy the striped worm for a pal.
I think it’s going to sneak up on you, you crazy woman.
(PS – Now why on earth didn’t you go check out the jingly belly dancing skirts?! DRESS UPS!!!)
5:36 pm
Lala,
There was a VERY good reason, actually, to bypass the bellydancing jingley skirt venue. (Tell ya later)
3:01 pm
In my small town in Ohio no one ever whips out Jesus on you and prays, except for certain cashiers and greeters at Walmart who love the Lord but have to keep it professional. I never leave the store without a Hard Candy Envy lipgloss and a prayer request for my latest struggle.
Maybe if I spent less time at Walmart and more time at the gym, I’d have abs worth mentioning, too… : )
Very cute story… ; )
Linda recently posted..Gays and the Bible- One Question
3:31 pm
Linda,
You almost talked me into going to WM, but the possible discontinued status of envy made me reconsider. Is it still available?
There are no abs at all – which is what I told the sweet, disillusioned gal who asked. The stretch marks would have scared her anyway- she looked too young to understand. : )
Kelsey recently posted..Workout Buddies Not
5:11 pm
I have similar experiences at my fitness center when I go to aquacize classes. I think we react this way because these friendships come in small doses, easier to manage than so-called “real” friendships. Not as overwhelming, but still a connection with other people. The praying thing may be a Southern thing, I don’t know. I run into it all the time, and like you, I want to pray right then.
Jan recently posted..Frankie
5:13 pm
Except that I haven’t been offered Advocare. What on earth is it?
Jan recently posted..Frankie
6:38 pm
Jan,
I aquacize too! Well. In theory. Not lately. I don’t like being wet and cold, yaknow? Exactly, on the ‘easier to manage’ part. So far, anyway. Advocare… not sure exactly. vitamins and supplements would be my guess. i don’t take any kind of pills or vitamins or supplement or protein drinks, so i’m kinda an impossible sale. mike loves all that stuff, though.
9:26 pm
Weird, weird, weird. You go around not wanting friendships and end up having them thrown at you? I go around wishing I could develop some and seem to repel them instead. There must be a major key in here somewhere. Maybe if I act aloof and disconnected, people will throw their friendshipiness at me and maybe you should act like you’re trying really hard to become friends so people will be repelled and leave you alone. That seems to work with cats. Aren’t they usually drawn to whoever wants to avoid them?
All this time, I was just thinking people in this little southern town didn’t enjoy deep, close relationships and that they already had all they can stand. I’m just going to act nice, yet cold and closed off for a little while and see if that improves things. LOL.
MIchele recently posted..The Farm Life
12:43 pm
My center keeps the pool area in the 85-88 degree range, so cold is not an issue. I don’t think there’s any way to eliminate the “wet’ part of aquacize.
Jan recently posted..Frankie
12:49 pm
Michele,
I highly recommend the “nice, yet cold and closed off” approach to life! you just need to visit a west texas gym, and let people shower you copious amounts of attention. come on! consider yourself invited, girl.
Jan,
You’re right. The water is warm. But afterwards is when the cold and wet part comes into play. The last one i went to was January 1. It was really good for my knee, though, before I could do other classes!