AITAH: New to AF, saw an ‘empty’ rack and bench, ended up getting cussed at.
Just joined AF recently due to their GSS promo and also cos I shifted house and needed a new gym. Was at the gym few days back and I wanted to use a rack for some squats. Saw this empty rack and bench, closest guy to it was doing some other exercises in front of the mirror near the rack. So I approached the area and this guy turned around, and I just asked “oh are you using the rack?”. I thought I was being cordial but this guy got seemingly offended and snapped back at me, saying he was using the rack.
So I said okay and I went to do something else. Upon closer examination, I realised he had this small square towel on the head side of the bench and it was the exact colour of the bench so I guess I missed that the rack was “choped”.
What was more appalling was the fact that he started whispering (quite loudly) to his friend on the next rack, and they were looking in my direction/at me, and he eventually said some vulgarities. It was pretty obvious that was directed at me cos there wasn’t anything else that would have triggered him besides our 5s interaction. I tried to block it out and do my own things, didn’t want to confront him or whatsoever.
I was just quite surprised that such a non-issue could have triggered such an adverse reaction in that guy to cuss at me. I mean it is common for people to ask if machines or racks are being used, I have been gymming for half my life and I know it’s just common courtesy to ask/or be asked by other gym goers. However, I’m new to AF (was previously at arkmove) - is this the culture across the gyms now? Where people are so.. snobbish?
Tldr; saw an empty rack and bench with a small towel that camouflaged nicely with the bench. Asked if anyone was using it and ended up getting cussed at. I admit there was an oversight on my part by missing out that smol towel but it just feels like an overreaction, and the first I have encountered in my gym experience. AITAH?
Would love to hear some inputs cos it’s first time this has ever happened to me.
Note: They also started mocking other gym goers who were grunting a bit too loudly as well, making some grunts and snide comments on their end.