Because one of the few places where I come into regular contact with the public is on my visit to the gym, I’ve noticed that a lot of these Everyday Rudeness posts (see here, here, and here) are responses to behaviour I’ve witnessed there.

And so it is again.

I don’t understand people who feel the need to spit. It’s not something I do, or ever want to do, when I’m alone or at home. No matter where I am. Like, for example, in the shower. But the shower area at my gym is literally a choir of spitting. I don’t mean a little spit either, but a drawn-out, throat-clearing hocking and spitting. Is this something these people do at home? It’s disgusting, and just one reason why I prefer to shower when I get back from a workout.

Spitting is a disgusting habit, and yet there are still people who do it even in the street. I remember many years ago being told by an old soldier that “conduct unbecoming” could be anything, from the very serious down to “spitting in the street.” It was just understood that spitting in public was something you don’t do. At least not unless you’re a ball player with a mouth full of chewing tobacco. I don’t think there are spittoons or cuspidors in most homes anymore.

But spitting in the shower, I found out last week, was the least of the bad behaviour going on in the gym when it came to expelling unwanted matter. For the last couple of months there’s been a really irritating tall guy who uses machines (elliptical machine, stationary bike) at the other side of the building from where I usually work out, though to use the bikes I sometimes have to go to his end. What makes this guy irritating? Well, in the first place he farts. And he farts so bad you have to stop what you’re doing and get away. That’s it. You have to move on to another machine because you can’t work out anywhere near him.

But that wouldn’t normally require a post on rudeness. People do have to fart, even in public places where it’s really not nice. Like an elevator. Or at the gym where people are working out near you. But last week he one-upped himself.

Stationed on the other side of the gym I heard a distinct reverse-sniffing noise. I looked up and he was holding one nostril shut while he blew his nose to the left of the elliptical machine he was on. Then, as I was struck still in amazement, he closed the other nostril and blew his nose to the right. This time I could see a giant booger sailing out and landing on the machine next to him (not in use, praise be!). And then he just kept on working out. How rude can you get? How could anyone think that was acceptable behaviour? I’m no Mr. Manners who is easily offended, but what is wrong with people?

I no longer work out on any machines at that end of the gym.