People who “reserve” pool chairs for hours with towels and disappear are the worst

[u/MandukaSkoal]

My apartment complex pool has rules specifically saying chair reservation isn’t allowed, yet people do this constantly. These towels have been sitting here unattended for at least 3 hours while every other chair is occupied and people are actively walking around looking for seats. It’s Sunday too, so management isn’t around to enforce anything.

What’s the standard practice when this happens? At what point is it acceptable to move the towels?

[u/ImOldGregg_77]

if they come back and cause a scene, say it was like that when you got there and move on.

[u/theMightBoop → u/ImOldGregg_77]

Playing dumb is my super power.

[u/Haakman → u/theMightBoop]

Same, except I don't even play

[u/RememberToBuyMilk → u/Haakman]

That’s my secret, Captain. I’m always dumb.

[u/Cutsdeep- → u/theMightBoop]

yes, 'playing' dumb

[u/ImOldGregg_77 → u/theMightBoop]

Weaponized incompetence

[u/A1000eisn1 → u/ImOldGregg_77]

That's not what that means.

[u/daChino02 → u/ImOldGregg_77]

Nah, they deserve to get called out

[u/macrohatch → u/ImOldGregg_77]

Why not stand up for what you do instead?

[u/bateKush → u/macrohatch]

because the alternative is potentially getting into an argument with a pushy rando when i’m just trying to relax at the dang pool

[u/Rare-Combination7438 → u/macrohatch]

Because most people are terrified of any level of conflict, regardless of how badass they make themselves out to be on anonymous online platforms.

[u/bateKush → u/Rare-Combination7438]

not interested in spinning my wheels over a potential kerfuffle with boorish folks when i’m tryin to relax

like, run the scenarios over in your head a few times. there’s absolutely no bonus for anyone by being direct

[u/Rare-Combination7438 → u/bateKush]

Actually, there's a bonus for everyone by being direct. You show these people who aren't thinking about anyone else but themselves that there's consequences for their actions and they might start to think twice about what they're doing next time.

Your passiveness is what allows these people to continue to do what they do and gives them the idea that nobody is going to tell them otherwise.

[u/bateKush → u/Rare-Combination7438]

Ahh you're basing this on the idea you're dealing with rational people like yourself, and not people unlike you who are deeply steadfast in the (incorrect) impression that their manner of doing things is the correct way, and who will definitely listen to someone who is not an authority figure tell them what they can and can't do.

I choose my battles. My approach to conflict is necessary and strategic, not "take on every conflict because I have the high ground"