Friday Frivolity Update

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about this sign in my gym’s locker room.  I suggested that the sign is ambiguous.  What is “use” of a cell phone.  Do all uses “Concern[] the privacy of all”?  Learned commentary suggested that all means all.  Text and policy aligns, so “Game, set, and match.”

This week, my gym posted additional signage, with the still-unhelpful addition “Security Alert,” which is highlighted in yellow.  Is this the power of the Blog?  Are the management team members at my gym silent admirers of the Blog?  It’s okay folks.  I welcome your adoration.  Don’t be shy.  I don’t mind talking about contracts law while I’m on the elliptical.  

Notwithstanding the additional signage, during my brief visit to the locker room during my last visit to the facility, I noticed three people using their cell phones in the locker room to listen to something.  One of them had his phone out as he was walking, head buried in his screen, either texting or navigating to the next song on his playlist.  I was unconcerned, given that, in that posture, he could only use his camera to photograph his own face or the ground.  Imagine my surprise when I came home to find the image of a torso (right), which I recognize as my own, uploaded to the Web.  Did that guy’s phone have a side camera in addition to the front and back cameras?  It’s diabolical!  And so embarrassing to be photographed in winter when I’m in such terrible shape!

Curious, I quizzed the attendant at the front desk, She seemed shockingly ignorant of the Blog, and her knowledge of contracts law was generally middling.  Rather, she explained the new signage to me as a product of a number of complaints about cell phone usage in locker rooms.  I asked her if it was okay to listen to music or podcasts using a cell phone, and she assured me that the concern was with photography and telephonic conversations.  Listening to stuff is fine.  I think I need to broaden my data set, because I don’t want to be found in violation of the policy, but my original inkling that there could be basic questions as to what the sign means abides.