Weird guy at my gym. . .

[daligirl519]

A typical wingnut with extra delusional goodness. Out of the blue yesterday, he started talking loudly about having a KENYAN president and who would have thought it. We just had our Indiana primaries on Tuesday, and he stated that he held his nose and voted for Romney. His real guy, however, was HERMAN CAIN. He wanted me to know that people were afraid to have a SMART, AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN on the ballot. He used to be a Palin supporter, but she proved herself not a CHRISTIAN. Also, OBAMA is an IDIOT and an embarrassment to this country. Also, hormones in animals are a government plot that will result in giant animals by 2040. I guess I have to start working out at a different time of day. For some reason, he seemed to be directing this at me, a black woman. Today, he came up behind me and said, "Hey baby," and began a very normal conversation. I just smiled and nodded. The attendants at this gym said that a few people have started coming at different times because of him. His other delusions include fluorinated water, the HPV vaccine, and microchips ingested with psychiatric medication. YIKES!

[daligirl519]

1. Also,

The words I put in caps were the words he seemed to yell.

[freshwest]

25. Gosh, what a creepy cretin! Guess he's paid his dues until infinity and will always be there, ugh!

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. That sounds extremely uncomfortable. :^(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Yikes is right!

Sounds to me as though he might be off his meds!

Good luck.

[Politicalboi]

4. If the gym knows he's an ass

They should talk to him about his behavior instead of making it harder for people to enjoy the gym. It's a form of harassment. Or more people should wear ear phones and just nod and ignore him. LOL!

[daligirl519]

6. He and another member who is similar. . .

Have been talked to before. I do not want to be the catalyst for him being expelled. I would rather just walk away from it.

[David__77]

5. I would get this person canned from the gym.

In fact, I've done this before. I'm gay, and this one guy at the gym used to pretend to be talking to someone on his cell phone, within earshot of me, going on about how wrong homosexuality is, and all this other stuff about "fags," etc. It was CLEARLY aimed at me. Third time this happened, I talked to staff, drafted and sent a letter to management carefully worded to get the desired result. He was banned forever, and I never saw him again. Now, I suppose this person wasn't being quite so overtly bigoted against you, but you were nonetheless being targeted solely for being black. Such bad gym etiquette at the very least.

[daligirl519]

9. I have quite a bit of schedule flexibilty. . .

I just don't like antagonizing people who seem overtly crazy. If this was just an obnoxious guy, it would be different. He has never talked to me or engaged with me until yesterday. That "Hey baby" was really creepy today. I just need to make sure I don't have to be near him again. He comes pretty faithfully at 1:00 in the afternoon.

[freshwest]

26. Sounds like a cheap come on, I hope staff noticed. I understand not wanting to get into it, tho'

There's really no telling where somone that far out there will do next. I'd keep an eye out for him when you leave the gym to make sure he's not a stalker, too.

[lpbk2713]

7. One thing is for sure ...

the world will never run out of stupidity. Of this we can be certain.

[Hatchling]

8. Must be related to the guy I sat behind on the bus yesterday.

Bragged about his Christianity to a Greek FOreign exchange, then went on to complain about Obama's stance on gay marriage (it's a sin), a proceeded to attack MMJ and claim no one in America will vote for that.

He and I both transferred to the trolley but I made sure I didn't get on the same car as he did.

No, I didn't say anything, because I was exhausted and didn't feel safe asking why my getting married to my girlfriend could in anyway hurt him.

[daligirl519]

10. You get it.

I choose my fights wisely. This person is nuts. I did report him to the gym, but I don't want to get him to focused on me.

[freshwest]

27. Very wise.

[Odin2005]

11. Sounds like my dipshit Birther cousin.

[Skittles]

12. I would have kicked his ass when he said HEY BABY

yes INDEED

[NYC_SKP]

13. "giant animals by 2040"

[daligirl519]

15. I work in mental health. . .

I had never heard this particular one before. All the others are par for the course.

[NYC_SKP]

16. Take care.

I don't have to tell you to avoid this dude.

Of course it's the quiet ones who end up hurting us, but either way, be safe!

[daligirl519]

24. I am hoping I'll be dead. . .

Imagine all those pissed off giant chickens.

[HillWilliam]

55. Heh, Beverly Hillbillies flashback moment

When Granny mistakes an ostrich for the hen she gave "growin' tonic" to: "JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! It's a gynt chicken!!!"

[daligirl519]

72. I am now looking for this episode online. LOL! /nt

[kentauros]

74. "That's a big chicken."

There's our weapon against giant animals: giant banana skins

[freshwest]

31. Chimeras? Some of the wackier Xtian websites claim that's happening. Goes right along with their

End Time scenarios, all these creatures running loose. The CT's have a lot of this and I think that's where he got ALL of his delusions from. Just hope he's not armed.

[daligirl519]

36. That, or he has seen "Food of the Gods"/ eom

[freshwest]

40. Oh, gosh, I'll avoid that flick. Do you see a number of people attaching to these media memes?

There was a guy out here who went off because he was watching Glen Beck all the time, sucked into that version of reality. He was calling, leaving profane, threatening calls to one of our Democratic Senators. Said he was going to kill the children and grandchildren and knew where they were. I read the charging documents, it was foul, really hateful stuff.

The guy's sister said they got into watching Beck and she realized after a while, that they were both going off the deep end. Paranoid, started stocking up food, guns, thought that Obama was coming to get them, all of that hypnotic routine Alex Jones, Beck, etc. do.

She quit listening to Beck and told him to stop, but he wouldn't and got worse. She claims that he was normal before listening to Beck. He's in jail now because he made the threats personally to an undercover police officer. He had the guns, etc.

You say you've seen these different things in your work. Do you think they had problems before or after being exposed to hate media? After all, the sister realized Beck was wrong and stopped listening. I don't know what kind of disorder this would be called.

[daligirl519]

44. I think there will be a name for it in the near future. . .

I assess and categorize psychiatric evaluations for several agencies. Most of his delusions are typical and have been around for decades with the last peak during the Red Scare era. The election of Barack Obama is a new high point for delusions of this sort with agencies such as Fox providing the "proof." I have heard it characterized as a particulary destructive type of cognitive dissonance.

[freshwest]

46. And such guys are walking around with guns. Thanks for explaining. I hope he gets help.

I guess in the case of the brother and sister I gave, he had a problem before Glen Beck. I blame the media a lot, but mental health issues are still stigmatized so there may be a lot of people like him, attracted to negative beliefs.

I read there is an addictive rush some people get listening to fearmongers. It gets their adrenaline up from the fearful things they hear, and when the rush wears off during the day, they lose focus and get tired. So they go back to get more since they don't have direction and very suggestible in that state.

There is a quote I read about this:

"Anxiety leads to a narrowing of the field of attention, the so-called tunnel vision, and when people are anxious, they are unable to attend to the total situation as is necessary to enable them to act rationally, but impulsively do the first thing that comes into their heads, which is usually determined by what others are doing at the same time." J. A. C. Brown, 'Techniques of Persuasion'

I think his anxiety problem was preyed upon by these right wing demagogues. The Fox shows act as if the majority agrees with them, but everyone doesn't. Does that make sense to you?

[daligirl519]

47. You are absolutely right. . .

Fox and other such outlets do not appeal to the rational in us. Those who are are not predisposed to evaluate or analyze material that may seem extreme or outrageous are very susceptible to propoganda especially when there is no convincing mainstream alternative view. This is nothing new. Throw some mental instability into the mix, and I think you see what we get.

[kentauros]

37. He must have seen the episode of "The Tick" with Apocalypse Cow

and thought it was a documentary

[freshwest]

63. Oh! I haven't seen that in years. Thanks, enjoyed that one.

[kentauros]

65. You're welcome!

You can Netflix it, too

[freshwest]

66. Thanks, I looked to the sidebar and found full episodes from the crackel (?) channel on YT.

My kid and I used to watch the animated version. It wasn't as adult as this one, but I loved The Tick. But I don't think he'd be a creep like the guy the OP's about. Uh, uh. The Tick was dense, but not mean, I think.

[kentauros]

69. No, The Tick wouldn't be like the OP's creep.

But I did wonder if he thought animals would become like Apocalypse Cow

Once I'm done with some other series I have going on Netflix, I'll be getting the animated Tick. I've only ever seen them in reruns, so I know I've missed some. But, not the famous episode with the Heys and the Whats.

"Must...defy...laws of physics!"

[daligirl519]

71. I'm now addicted to this. /nt

[kentauros]

73. Normal behavior

for those exposed to The Tick

{Holding a stethoscope up to his head}
Wow. I can hear my brain.

[Posteritatis]

39. Is it bad that I sorta want a giant riding ant? (nt)

[daligirl519]

45. Obviously you have not seen "Empire of the Ants"

with Joan Collins.

[awoke_in_2003]

42. Just think how much bacon...

You could get from the giant pork bellies

[Shampoobra]

51. They're already pretty damn big

I once saw a rabbit as big as a football

Scared the hell out of me

[liberalmuse]

14. That is scary...

he doesn't sound quite right in the head. "Whacko" is the word. I wouldn't want him near the barbells or other heavy equipment. He might hurt someone. "Hey baby"? Wow. He really ought to be reminded by the management that this is a gym, not a teabagger rally.

[grantcart]

17. My gym now has MSNBC on all the time.

I started asking for it and others followed up.

[daligirl519]

20. No more Fox on the big TVs at this gym these days. . .

It is a very diverse gym. I also wondered if someone complained about it, because it used to be on several of the TVs all the time. However, you can tell how is who by what they are watching on the little TVs on the treadmills and ellipticals. The manager there likes mostly sports on the big TVs.

[bluesbassman]

18. Sounds like they put his microchips in the wrong medicine.

Sorry you had to endure such a boorish lout daligirl. Perhaps a different workout time would be wise.

[MrScorpio]

19. Trying to counter any of these fools with facts will always prove to be a fruitless endeavor

I'd simply tell him that I don't find anything that he says to be convincing at all. That I've heard all the same arguments from all sides that he has, including those of Romney and Herman Cain and that I don't think that their positions make any sense whatsoever. I know a good argument when I hear one, and that your gym guy, Romney or Cain just don't have what it takes to convince me.

I've made my own mind about who I'm going to vote for and it won't be for people who can't make convincing arguments.

[daligirl519]

21. I will not engage with this nut. . .

I am pretty sure he was crazy before the election of Barack Obama. I don't want a knife in my gut because I tried to "educate" him. And his delusions are not all about politics, per se. He has a whole lot of beefs with society.

[MrScorpio]

23. My primary rule is to avoid people who are crazier than I am at all times

I don't blame you

[Warpy]

22. Yeah, because those other businessmen presidents were so great

Coolidge, Hoover, Stupid...

My response to these people is "What the fuck is WRONG with you?" as I slide the headsets back on and turn the music up.

[Blecht]

28. Fluoridation

Our precious bodily fluids.

[veganlush]

29. he's crazy!

the giant animals aren't due 'til 2046

[daligirl519]

32. Thanks for that! LOL! /nm

[freshwest]

33. OMG, you did it!

[Canuckistanian]

30. Just back away slowly next time you see him

And make an excuse. And change your gym times.

You do NOT want to be called into court to testify against this nutcase when he EVENTUALLY does something stupid.

[daligirl519]

34. Thank you. . .

That is what I have been saying.

[ailsagirl]

35. And he's been unleashed on society

Can you go to another gym? You want to think he's "harmless," but you can never really be sure--things seem to keep getting crazier out there...

Good luck!

[daligirl519]

38. I am going to go earlier in the morning.

I believe he drives a taxi, and comes to the gym at his lunch time. I'm not really worried. . . i have noticed that he will not start this stuff when there are a lot of other men, especially black men, in the gym.

[47of74]

49. Well if that's what you want...

...and you don't want to be the catalyst for having the gym ask him to leave and not come back that's your decision. You have to do what you think is best here. I guess the whole idea of people having to rearrange their lives because of this guy instead of the other way around isn't sitting well with me.

I've been going to my gym for almost three years now. Most of the people that go there seem to be friendly. I've never had any problems with anyone there. But if someone was ever causing me problems and I didn't feel safe confronting him or her I'd speak up about it before it got out of hand. Especially since members have 24 hour access and I do take advantage of that on a regular basis.

[ailsagirl]

75. PLEASE BE CAREFUL, DALIGIRL519

[Jamaal510]

41. After reading this post,

I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area, even though I want to move. I have yet to come across a Republican in person, and I have never had to hear from some birther conspiracy nut before.

[ibegurpard]

43. You don't live in Lincoln NE do you? Is his last name Svoboda?

[daligirl519]

48. No. . .

but you have my sympathy if you have to deal with this person.

[SwampG8r]

50. hey wow really

if you didnt want to talk to me at the gym just say so
jeez

[enough]

52. It pisses me off when polite people have to change their workout schedule

to accommodate ignorant bigoted jerks. But I understand not wanting to get involved in a hassle about it. Sometimes fighting something like this just makes you feel more involved with the creep than you want to be, when all you want to do is work out.

[GoCubsGo]

56. Sometimes, it's okay for polite people to be impolite.

My gym has a number of nutbags like this. That's because my town is infested with them. Male and female. I'll be damned if I'm going to let these ignoramuses rule my life. All it takes to get the vast majority of them to leave you alone is to roll your eyes, shake your head in disgust, and walk away (or put your headphones on.) And, if that doesn't work, a nasty look and a "Fuck off!" do.

[Telly Savalas]

59. No need to be impolite

A simple "I'm here to work out. I don't want to talk politics. Please leave me in peace." is polite.

If that doesn't work, then a follow up "leave me the fuck alone, you obnoxious douchebag" falls within the realm of acceptable polite behavior.

If someone is going to be intrusive like that, they need to be the ones made uncomfortable so that they change their schedule.

And this isn't a left/right issue. If someone here were to go to the gym and randomly accost people with unsolicited sermons against Romney, that would be obnoxious too.

[spanone]

53. proudly ignorant

[obamanut2012]

54. Nothing exciting ever happens at my gym

We all just exercise and mind our own business.

Sometimes people ask someone else to spot them, or discuss running or Crossfit shoes someone is wearing, but that's about it. There was a scandal a while ago when management banned Vibram Five fingers for a couple of months, but that's about it.

[hobbit709]

57. I'd say he could benefit from some psychiatric medication.

[eShirl]

58. Sounds like a schizophrenic relative of mine.

(I'm not trying to make a joke or flippant remark.)

[nobodyspecial]

60. The most telling comment

"microchips ingested with psychiatric medication. YIKES!"

My guess is that this is the rationale -- using that term loosely here -- for refusing to take meds.

[malaise]

61. I'd change gyms

One of these days he may come with a bag of weapons and open fire - it has happened in gyms before.

[lunatica]

62. Put the bar bells down and slowly back away

Creepy.

[Dash87]

64. "Weird guy at my gym"

I can pretty much relate to that every time I go to the gym. lol

I wish the weird guys at my gym were so interesting. They're mostly just balding pervy losers that literally start screaming while lifting weights, will bother you all of the time, and think that they're the greatest. It's pretty sad. I kind of feel like asking them how their daughters are doing - we're probably the same age.

I know someone who was accused of working with the Bilderbergers (sp?) and the New World Order, though. It was because he was working with Scandinavian people, and they were all sitting together at a restaurant. The guy must have heard them talking, and walked over and went on a word soup rant!

[bluestate10]

67. You need to confront that person.

Start with telling him that you don't want to be called "Baby" by him. Move from that point to correct, item by item, his fucked of "knowledge" of the country and nature. When those people are not stood up to, they feel that they have won and only become more aggressive.

[Initech]

68. Wait - he thinks Obama is an idiot? Where was he under Bush?

No single president can accurately compare to Bush's 8 years of terror and idiocy - thanks to his disastrous policies we got endless war, our education system destroyed, all our country's wealth concentrated into the hands of a few wealthy criminals, and we're losing grasp on all our social safety nets are crumbling. And Obama inherited all this crap. Bill Maher was right - you can't change the world in a day - but you can at least get the smell of stupid out of the room!

[provis99]

70. he said "Hey baby"? you should have kicked him in the balls.

[jillan]

76. I think you should get him into the weight room and have him start lifting weights.

Very heavy weights.

Sorry - I have this brain synapse - whenever the discussion is about right wing wackos, my brain resorts to thoughts of violence... and I am one of those people that will catch a fly and let them back outside.