It Is What It Is

Hi. It’s Laura

The title of this blog is my most detested phrase in the English language. I feel about "It Is What It Is" like some feel about the word irregardless. (Is it even really a word?[Editor’s note: You did that just get me riled up. IT IS NOT A WORD!])

I was in the dog park, with the dog, Friday afternoon. He is an avid squirrel hunter. In order to curb his enthusiasm behind the chain link fences, I bring a ball or a Frisbee, usually a ball.

My dog is a good dog. He does all his tricks when asked, he does not beg for food at the table and he brings back the ball. Not only does he bring it back, he drops it either at my feet or in my hand.

We were playing ball and, just as the dog dropped the ball in my hand, another dog snatched the ball right out of my hand. The nerve! I went to retrieve the ball from the other dog myself but the dog kept running away from me. After several attempts to get the ball, I finally asked the “Blank Faced Humans” standing around (watching me make a fool of myself) who the dog belong to. The woman, standing RIGHT NEXT TO ME, says "me". I asked her to help me get my ball from her dog.

She called it and fought with her own dog only to finally wrestle the ball away. She finally gets the ball away and instead of handing it to me, she throws it at me and says "It is the dog park after all, what do you expect?".

Really? “It’s the dog park” is your excuse for both your dog's bad behavior and your own?

If we were on the playground and my child took your child's toy and I said to you" it’s just the playground", would you accept that as an answer? I think not. So this all got me thinking, why are we so accepting of bad behavior from other people both in life and at the gym?

“It is what it is” is just lousy corporate speak for I am too lazy to do anything about it myself.

It is just an excuse. There are plenty of times when we all run late for something unforeseen Just recently, The Husband and I were delayed for a dinner reservation because of a hit and run. Sadly, the person hit by the car did not survive. So the excuse kind of works but we contacted the restaurant to let them know we were just not blowing them off.

I know a lot of trainers and some schools will not let you enter a class if you are too late and there are people who are habitually late.

The art of consideration may also not survive. There are symptoms that this hit and run patient is on life support.

1) Lateness – Soooo disrespectful! The instructor and every other student made it to class on time even if they had to get up at 4:00A.M. to do so. Make a little effort.

2) Talking in class – Because what you have to say is more important? We don't care how many glasses of wine you are bragging about having or how much you worked out yesterday. I would like to hear the instructor please and when I am teaching I would like to be heard.

3) Leaving early – If your next appointment is so important, why didn't you go to another class? In addition the cool down is as important as the warm up. Staying 5-6 minutes longer won't kill you but not staying might.

4) Doing a different workout program – If the instructor’s workout is not your idea of exercise, why did you bother to show up at all? (This happens in my spin class all the time. People just do their own ride instead of following the lead rider. Why not hit the stationary bike then?)

5) No post workout clean up – By leaving your excretions, you just said you don't care if other people sit in your sweat. I am sure you would not want to sit in anyone else's sweat, take a minute and wipe it down.

6) Out loud sarcastic comments to the instructor – This just is not necessary nor is it respectful of the instructor or the other students. If you have a problem, speak to the instructor after class is over. [Editor’s note: I still support irony if used for the purpose of breaking tension or if the joke is really good.]

7) Improper attire and/or forgetting equipment – Borrowing equipment is disruptive and there is no place for provocative or dirty/stained clothing. Have a little respect for others around you and yourself while you’re at it.

8) Singing or talking on the phone on the treadmill or elliptical- see number 6

9) Employees unprofessional behavior – Why do employees feel the need to yell across the workout space? This should ever happen is in an emergency situation. Even then I would hope the facility already has a plan in place and step 1 is not “Yell so everyone knows to panic”. (I may have just broken number 6.)

10) Pool etiquette – Don't even get me started about the pool!

Not everyone, in all classes, act like Neanderthals. I would say most people are well behaved and do show respect for themselves and the people around them. Unfortunately it is the few who choose to disobey the rules and go against social norms that are the standouts and wind up affecting those people around them in a negative way. The Husband calls it the First Law of Idiot Expansion: They will fill all areas of consideration with idiot behavior.

Don't accept bad behavior! It is perfectly acceptable to speak to someone about their behavior and how it it’s affecting you. Here is what I say; bring the situation to the instructor’s attention or even the manager of the facility. Do I say, don't do as I do.

Play hard!

Laura