I learned something valuable at the Park Hyatt Aviara: sometimes people truly are oblivious to the fact that they act like idiots. In this case, an interaction over loud music ended surprisingly easily…and positively.
Loud Music, No Headphones In Hotel Gym
As I entered the gym at the Park Hyatt Aviara hotel in Southern California, I could hear the music blaring. A young man in red shorts had the music turned WAY up on his mobile such that everyone in the gym could hear it.
I find that so annoying…
My concern was that a “macho” male would not like being told to turn his music down and it could make a bad situation worse, so I tried an indirect approach first.
I pulled up an album from the Hazel Wright Organ at the nearby Christ Cathedral (5th largest pipe organ in the world) and began playing a stirring rendition of Praise to the Lord, the Almighty at full blast…
My hope was he would get the message, but it didn’t faze him. Not in the least…
(and it was not like he was wearing any headphones)
Suddenly, instead of one idiot, there were two…I quickly realized I was handling this exactly the wrong way.
I turned off my music, went up to him, and told him to turn the music off (I didn’t ask and I didn’t say please, I just said, “turn your music off”)
His response?
“Oh, sorry.”
And he did turn the music off.
It was that simple.
I know it’s not always that simple. I’ve asked on airplanes before and get met with curse words instead of compliance.
But this incident did remind me not to counter low-class acts with more low-class acts and to at least start by asking nicely, since some people really do not seem to know (or care) that they are bothering other people.
Most of us would probably have just asked or told him to turn it off to begin with, not attempt to first discomfit him with church music.
Chi, Ahm no. Most people fall into the silent majority and do nothing at all. They fume inside and say nothing. Few people are willing to confront. I know this from many confrontations I’ve had while the silent majority did nothing.
You’re not even close when you say most people would have just asked. Very, very few do anything at all.
I had a similar experience. I’m on the treadmill at the gym, a girl comes to the treadmill next to me and puts her phone music on. I have noise canceling earbuds, I am also dealing with nerve damage and require hearing aids which I don’t wear when I have earbuds in. I can hear her music over mine, which is IN my ears. I decided to ask “Please can you turn down….” I’m interrupted and she goes into a loud rant, everyone around us is now looking at us, or rather me as she’s shouting AT me. My first instinct was to grab her phone and throw it against the wall but I opt’d for my 2nd instinct which was to ignore her and finish my time. I thought about going to the gym personnel but they’re usually ON their own phones all the time and don’t seem like the type to do anything more than lift their heads.
I no longer am a member of that gym.
“Hey brother, any chance you could use some headphones?” Only a first rate jerkoff is going to ignore a request made in a respectful manner.
Passive aggressive is not how a man handles his business.
Too many first rate jerkoffs, especially in California!
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change”
So you prefer that rendition of Praise to the Lord,Almighty over The Tabernacle Choir’s. I would have chosen Gloria,Gloria Aleluya by Tonicha.
It’s all about the game, and how you play it..
A reference to the TV in the article, not the article.. lol.
Some people have no self-awareness. The worst part is that they usually have bad taste in music to boot 🙂
I actually think the “lout” should be applauded for his civility. To err is human…
I wouldn’t have been as direct because I wouldn’t have anticipated such a favorable outcome. Glad he shut the tunes off.
I quibble with your use of “idiot” to describe the fellow in the gym, Matthew.. A more accurate adjective would be “asshole.”
Why wouldn’t you be polite and ask?
Because that wouldn’t be post-worthy clickbait. Whether it’s rehashing other bloggers stories, or reporting about the most mundane airport located Hyatt Place that gets a two snaps and a twist review, there is hardly anything earth shattering on this blog. And yet I can’t quit it……
But Matthew, you could totally handle yourself in a physical brawl, couldn’t you?
Not something I want to test!
Matthew is more of a priest than a pugilist. Hence the music instead of a KO 🙂