AITA for not locking a locker in the locker room at a gym??
A Reddit user shared an experience at the gym, where they left their locker unlocked while going for a swim, only to find it accidentally locked by someone else. When they asked a gym staff member to unlock it, they were met with a bit of attitude.
They later vented about it to their fiancé, who felt they were in the wrong for not locking the locker to begin with. Now, they’re wondering if they’re in the wrong for both not locking their locker and for feeling frustrated with the staff member’s reaction. Read the full story below.
‘ AITA for not locking a locker in the locker room at a gym??’
I (25f) went to the gym to go for a quick swim with my fiancee (30m). We went into the locker rooms to change and meet on the other side. I always leave my clothes in the locker without bothering to lock it since it’s not valuable and I don’t really care if anyone took my clothes.
I’ve seen other people at the gym do it so I didn’t think it was a big deal to just leave it unlocked. I only locked my locker when I bring my wallet or something valuable. When we got back I noticed that my locker was accidentally locked probably by someone who noticed my clothes were in there and decided to use a different locker.
I went to get it unlocked from a staff and it was a woman who had keys in her pocket. She gave me a huge attitude when I asked her to walk two feet over to unlock my locker. She kept making different angry sounds while walking over to my locker.
I thought this was really weird because it didn’t seem like a big deal. I went to rant about it with my fiancée who was on her side. He said she shouldn’t have to unlock my locker because I chose to not lock it like I’m supposed to.
I told him people make mistakes and that doesn’t mean she needs to be rude about taking a key out of her pocket and unlocking a door two feet from her. AITA for ranting to my fiancée about this situation and not locking my locker? Is it normal to lock a locker in a locker room if you don’t care about the stuff in it?
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
_mmiggs_ − YTA – You are quite clear that this wasn’t a mistake – you intentionally and habitually don’t lock the locker. It is a courtesy to other users of the changing room to lock your locker, because that serves as an indication that the locker is in use. That makes you the a**hole.
medusssa3 − nta, everyone on this thread needs to take a chill pill its literally not that serious
Pretzelmamma − You’re lucky. People who do this at my gym usually come back to find their stuff dumped out over the (usually moist) floor and the locker locked with someone else’s things inside it. Are they token or coin lockers? Or do they lock with your gym card?
Apart-Scene-9059 − While small YTA. Locking the locker takes what 15 seconds and you purposely chose not to so you can save 15 secs. The employee was upset you’re wasting her time not due to a mistake but your personal laziness.
keeziia − I’m confused why people think you’re the problem in this scenario. If someone saw your stuff in the locker and it was unlocked, why did they choose to lock it for you instead of leaving it alone? Good Samaritan becomes an inconvenience because they’re pushing their intentions without knowing the original intentions of the person using that locker, you.. NTA
[Reddit User] − YTA – How is she supposed to know this is even your locker with your stuff in it? When you do lock your locker, do you want staff to open it for other randos so they can steal your wallet? Lock your locker instead of putting a burden on everyone else!
SoMuchMoreEagle − ESH Even if you don’t care about those belongings, an unlocked locker indicates that it’s open for others to use. You’re inconveniencing other people by making them open your locker to figure out that it’s in use.
The person who locked your locker out of spite is also an a**hole, but maybe it’s happened to them multiple times and they’re sick of it. The woman with the keys was making too bit of an issue out of it, but you did inconvenience her, too.
Just lock your locker and there won’t be an issue anymore. Or get a gym bag, stick all your stuff in there, and take it with you instead of using a locker.
klendool − NTA who goes around locking lockers that are unlocked? Its clear that leaving a locker unlocked is intentional
WildMustangs1115 − They literally get payed to do that s**t. NTA
ExpensivePanda66 − YTA.
If it’s anything like my gym, you can tell which lockers are free for use when they are unlocked. If everyone did what you did, then everyone would need to poke around through 5 or 6 different lockers to find a free one.
What you’re doing isn’t a war crime or anything, but it is annoying to others. If you really don’t care about what you’re putting in there, just put them in the bin.
Do you think the Redditor should have locked their locker, even if they didn’t care about the items inside? Or was it reasonable for them to ask the staff for help? How would you handle a similar situation? Share your thoughts below!
