The Public Swimming Pool
Rules, rules, rules.
Sometimes you wonder why some rules are established. They make you mad and frustrated and inspire you to take revenge on your government. And then sometimes, when you are relaxed and calm, you might just let it all pass over you and accept said rules and perhaps discover that simplicity can be everso rewarding and painless.
On Sunday I went to a public swimming pool on the East side of the city. We queued up in a very orderly fashion and everyone leaned in when the friendly uniformed City Park officer spoke of the rules:
1. Must have a padlock
2. Sunhats: white, tan or straw only
3. T-shirts: white only with no decals
4. Other clothing: swimwear only, (i.e. no non-swimming shorts)
5. No newspapers and one book only
6. No electronics including cell phones, mp3 players/ipods etc
7. No food (waterbottle is allowed)
8. No bags
Not your usual pool rules of no diving, no jumping, no running, no screaming! These rules were underwritten by the one most important rule: no arguing with the rules!
Upon entering the building, you must show your padlock. There are lockers in the changerooms where you must deposit your belongings before showering. Off to the showers: you must be wet in order to enter the pool area. No shower - no pool!
Once you exit the changerooms on the poolside, you must shake your towel to prove you are not carrying anything contraband. By this stage, one is so scared of where to look and where to walk that it takes a minute before you remember that you are doing something pleasure-enhancing and leisurely.
Simplicity
No deck chairs, no rubbish bins, no annoying pool toys. No piles of bags taking up precious sun bathing space. Just me, my towel and book, some sunscreen and the water. Oh yeah, sunglasses are allowed.
3:00pm and the whistle blows ten times. That's it! Everyone out! It's lifeguard break time. Instead of staggering breaks for the park officers and lifeguards, they all go at once. One wonders if they have a party or go swimming themselves. Pool reopens at 4:00pm for another three hours.
Despite the rules, and the security that rivals any airport I've ever been through (and that's quite a few), it was a wonderful afternoon. Everyone was happy. No one complained, even with the 5 year old boy kicking and splashing constantly in your face. The water was clean and not too over-chlorinated, but just enough to dilute any deposits said 5 year old boy left behind him.
Ahh, summer. I love summer.
Sometimes you wonder why some rules are established. They make you mad and frustrated and inspire you to take revenge on your government. And then sometimes, when you are relaxed and calm, you might just let it all pass over you and accept said rules and perhaps discover that simplicity can be everso rewarding and painless.
On Sunday I went to a public swimming pool on the East side of the city. We queued up in a very orderly fashion and everyone leaned in when the friendly uniformed City Park officer spoke of the rules:
1. Must have a padlock
2. Sunhats: white, tan or straw only
3. T-shirts: white only with no decals
4. Other clothing: swimwear only, (i.e. no non-swimming shorts)
5. No newspapers and one book only
6. No electronics including cell phones, mp3 players/ipods etc
7. No food (waterbottle is allowed)
8. No bags
Not your usual pool rules of no diving, no jumping, no running, no screaming! These rules were underwritten by the one most important rule: no arguing with the rules!
Upon entering the building, you must show your padlock. There are lockers in the changerooms where you must deposit your belongings before showering. Off to the showers: you must be wet in order to enter the pool area. No shower - no pool!
Once you exit the changerooms on the poolside, you must shake your towel to prove you are not carrying anything contraband. By this stage, one is so scared of where to look and where to walk that it takes a minute before you remember that you are doing something pleasure-enhancing and leisurely.
Simplicity
No deck chairs, no rubbish bins, no annoying pool toys. No piles of bags taking up precious sun bathing space. Just me, my towel and book, some sunscreen and the water. Oh yeah, sunglasses are allowed.
3:00pm and the whistle blows ten times. That's it! Everyone out! It's lifeguard break time. Instead of staggering breaks for the park officers and lifeguards, they all go at once. One wonders if they have a party or go swimming themselves. Pool reopens at 4:00pm for another three hours.
Despite the rules, and the security that rivals any airport I've ever been through (and that's quite a few), it was a wonderful afternoon. Everyone was happy. No one complained, even with the 5 year old boy kicking and splashing constantly in your face. The water was clean and not too over-chlorinated, but just enough to dilute any deposits said 5 year old boy left behind him.
Ahh, summer. I love summer.