I currently take yoga classes twice a week at my work's gym. They provide blocks, straps and yoga mats. They also provide handy-wipes that can be used to wipe down the mats.
Anyway, there are four different mat-care categories that people fall into, and each says something about the person in question:
Category 1 - The Rational Actor:
-These people never wipe down their yoga mats. Maybe they don't know that the wipes exist, but more likely they don't think wiping the mats makes a difference.
Category 2 - The Germaphobe:
-These people wipe down their yoga mats before they use them and again after they use them. They have no interest in any contact with other people's bodily residue, but provide the same courtesy for those who next use the mat.
Category 3 - The Consciencious Citizen:
-These people wipe down their yoga mats after they use them, but not before. They probably don't think wiping the mat makes a difference, but understand that other people value the behavior.
Category 4 - The Selfish Student:
-These people wipe down their yoga mats before use, but not after. Clearly they think that the wipe-down serves a purpose or they wouldn't do it before using the mat. The fact that they don't wipe the mat after use, however, shows a lack of consideration for the next mat user.
It's interesting to me how there isn't even a universal standard of etiquette, even in such a small group of people who see each other routinely. Obviously people have different value systems, but what's shocking is how much you can tell about a person from these differences.
Any idea which category I'm in? =)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My guess is that you would be either 1 or 3. Daddy thought you would be 2.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started taking yoga, I was in category 1 because I didn't realize they had wipes for wiping down the mats. Around the time I realized it, I got my own mat so it became a non-issue. Now, when I go to the gym, they have signs that say we should wipe down the equipment after use. So now I'm in category 3. I guess my attitude is that there are germs, especially if someone has a cold or something, so it's not a bad idea to wipe things down occasionally. But I clean my hands with Purell frequently, so I figure that's good enough. I'll be interested to see what category you actually are in. ME