School me on pool etiquette

[mrshandy]

So I went to go pool run this morning at my gym. All three lanes were taken, one of the bigger lanes had two people in it.

I went in one of the lanes intending to share with her. The lady told me that this lane is taken. I said timidly "I thought we could share". She responded "No you can't use this one, you can over there if you want (pointing to the one that had two people)"

I used their lane for a little while but I'm sure I was being rude since I was in their way. The lady in the middle lane (friends with rude lady) said nicely that they would be done in a few minutes and they were finishing up their mile, then in a few minutes told me that it was her last lap. Then I moved over once they left.

Sharing lanes is ok right? Was I out of line? There were lap swimming rules (I forgot to read them on the wall).

Should I ask before I do it next time?

Please no flames, I'm totally ignorant of pool rules and just want to do some pool running. But I'm open to learning and don't want to piss anyone off.

[Susie]

I am trying to picture the situation -- bigger and smaller lanes? All with 2 people?

Pool lane sharing is one of my biggest pet peeves. Not that I won't share, but that people are such dicks about it. FFS, a 6 lane pool is space for way more than 12 people to work out at a time! But some people do not think that way.

[mrshandy]

Oct 9, 2015 9:13:52 GMT -5 Susie said:

I am trying to picture the situation -- bigger and smaller lanes? All with 2 people?

Pool lane sharing is one of my biggest pet peeves. Not that I won't share, but that people are such dicks about it. FFS, a 6 lane pool is space for way more than 12 people to work out at a time! But some people do not think that way.

2 smaller lanes (one person each lane), one bigger lane with two people

[bluelikejazz]

Of course sharing lanes is ok! I'm sorry she was a bitch to you! The only person I'm flaming is rude bitch lady

I usually ask when the swimmer gets to the wall if I can share, to be nice, but it's usually a "can i share?" while they nod and say "sure" as they turn and keep swimming. Sometimes they don't stop long enough to acknowledge me, and I'll just jump in - but even then it's never been a problem.

Double check the rules that are posted and if it happens again say "Oh, well, the rules say 2 to a lane is acceptable, so why don't I stay on this side of the lane and do my workout? I shouldn't be in your way"

[Susie]

Oct 9, 2015 9:16:40 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Oct 9, 2015 9:13:52 GMT -5 Susie said:

I am trying to picture the situation -- bigger and smaller lanes? All with 2 people?

Pool lane sharing is one of my biggest pet peeves. Not that I won't share, but that people are such dicks about it. FFS, a 6 lane pool is space for way more than 12 people to work out at a time! But some people do not think that way.

2 smaller lanes (one person each lane), one bigger lane with two people

Yeah that's the part I'm kind of confused about.  Most pools have standard sized lanes that are all the same size.  Unless you mean the big one was a double lane or something?

How the lane lines are placed would affect how I'd answer because I would have different expectations swimming in a standard lane than a double lane.  

Nonetheless there's no need for people to be nasty about it.  Generally I think lane sharing is and should be the norm, everybody just has to be chill about it like dr. cupcake described.  At my Y pool though people are weird and will sit on a bench and wait for a lane to be free, as if the pool is "full" when all lanes are taken.  Lane sharing just does not seem to be a thing.  It's so weird.

[al320]

Im thinking either a lane line was missing, which is odd, or, like, in my pool the outer lanes are a tiny bit wider than the others, though there are supposed to be lane lines making them standard size.

OP, that lady was rude. You can share lanes.

[gt7301b]

Are the small lanes really small? My gym has non-standard size lanes and it would be difficult to share, I don't think I've ever seen anyone share.

[mrshandy]

Oct 9, 2015 9:39:28 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Are the small lanes really small? My gym has non-standard size lanes and it would be difficult to share, I don't think I've ever seen anyone share.

It's a smallish pool definitely at LA Fitness. I'm not sure what the standard lane size, but it would be difficult to share. I'll read the rules next time and be prepared.

The bigger lane looked big enough to share, but the smaller ones might be tight.

Thanks @vtcupcake that is very helpful!

[shorewife]

I always ask to share, no way would I sit around waiting for a completely open lane. Most often people say sure, but every once in a while someone grumbles about it. I don't take up a lot of space in my lane so in the end said person usually apologizes for being grumpy about it since there really is plenty of room for 2 people.

[gt7301b]

Oct 9, 2015 9:46:17 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Oct 9, 2015 9:39:28 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Are the small lanes really small? My gym has non-standard size lanes and it would be difficult to share, I don't think I've ever seen anyone share.

It's a smallish pool definitely at LA Fitness. I'm not sure what the standard lane size, but it would be difficult to share. I'll read the rules next time and be prepared.

The bigger lane looked big enough to share, but the smaller ones might be tight.

Thanks @vtcupcake that is very helpful!

If it is the size of my local gym I'm guessing the gym "culture" is just to not share the smaller lanes.  Hopefully people will share the bigger lane if necessary. 

[joenali]

If you are pool running you should be in the part of the pool with no lanes. That's assuming it's an option.