Expat in the Philippines
Just Another Day at the Gym

by Sarah Novak
(Manila, Philippines)

On Thursday mornings I work out with my trainer at the gym. We were doing a rotation of exercises in the weightlifting area. As I was walking between stations, I looked over and noticed a Filipino about to hoist up a big bar with about 50 pounds of weight on it. While that in itself was not an unusual situation, the fact that he was barefoot seemed quite inappropriate to me. My trainer noticed it at the same time I did and called over a colleague to speak with the lifter regarding his lack of footwear.

Upon further inquiry I learned that, yes indeed, shoes were required when weightlifting (duh) and that it was in fact prohibited NOT to do so. Much to my amusement I watched as one staff member after another went up to this gentleman to talk to him about his lack of shoes. First a trainer talked to him (and watched him as he kept right on lifting). Then came the manager of the fitness area (who also ended up watching the guy keep right on going). My favorite was the next visitor, the security guard (dressed in full uniform, mind you) who also failed in the task of getting this man to stop.

At this point I was starting to feel quite uncomfortable because it was clear that this man was BREAKING RULES and as all of you know, I am a RULE FOLLOWER by nature. I could not comprehend why someone didn't just grab him by the arm and drag him out of the gym. I even offered to go tell the man that he'd need to stop lifting! But alas, it has to be done the Filipino way, which as my trainer explained was to, 'Seek to understand why the gentleman felt it was okay to keep lifting without shoes on.' And so person after person tried to talk with him and he milked the system, finishing up his lifting a good 20 minutes after when he was first approached. I couldn't believe it!

I explained to my trainer that in the States that would have been nipped in the bud in two seconds flat because if the gym allowed it the person might drop the weight on their foot and then sue the gym! In my assessment of the situation, the man worked the system quite nicely. He got to finish his workout and was able to be 'understood' in the process. And what did I get out of it, you ask??? Much AGGRAVATION! Gotta love the cultural differences, huh?? Perhaps I'm not as far along the curve as I thought!

Sarah Novak, Certified Expat Life Coach
www.envisionlifecoaching.net
www.inspiredoverseasliving.com