Okay - I have ranted/mentioned this before..but my gym is really a busy place at the time that I go. (Wish I could change but can't right now)
As a result, getting into a swimming lane requires some cooperation from others. Being new to swimming, I have no real idea about what is an acceptable way to approach an available "slot"..ie..how do I let someone know that I want to share their lane with them without being too intrusive?
One of the times I did this, the fellow had taken a pause and I was able to ask if he minded. This was fine. But the next time, I had to sit on the edge of the lane, legs dangling, until the guy spotted me and kind of nodded..without pausing...I can see that this kind of broke his concentration a bit. Which I don't like doing to anyone. The next time I tried with someone, I ended up just walking away. This fellow wouldn't acknowledge I existed at all. I figured he just didn't want to share a lane. (selfish bastard)
Anyway...do I just dive in and make sure I take one lane even if they don't know I'm coming? What to do? What is the accepted way to approach a vacant lane? Is there one? I mean, there are only so many lanes and there are a lot of people wishing to swim. Seems cooperation should be the key here. But maybe it's my approach..