Richmond Proper: On swimming pool etiquette
‘Tis the season to address the issue of swimming pool etiquette. For Richmond Proper veterans, this is nothing but revisiting the basics of self-awareness and consideration of others. Tragically though, not everyone was born knowing how to act at the pool. Here are a few pointers…
‘Tis the season to address the issue of swimming pool etiquette. For Richmond Proper veterans, this is nothing but revisiting the basics of self-awareness and consideration of others. Tragically though, not everyone was born knowing how to act at the pool. Here are a few pointers…
- Observe the rules of personal space. Even in a crowded pool, you can manage to enjoy your dip without brushing up against everyone in sight.
- Make sure you’re clean before entering the pool, showering if necessary. Layers of bug spray or tanning oil washing off into the water can ruin the experience for others.
- Tend to your child’s safety. As written in The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette: “Teach your child to swim and to respect the water. Small children should always wear some kind of life preserver near any body of water. As your child grows more confident in the water, you can reduce the size of the life preserver, but better to err on safety’s side.” Also, consider the fact that if you’re not paying attention to your child’s safety, others will feel obligated to do it for you.
- Keep pets out of the water unless specifically invited by the pool owner or host.
- “One monitors the behavior of one’s offensive dependents, keeping the dog from swimming at all, and the children from shouting or splashing,” writes Judith Martin.
- Obey lifeguards. It’s their job to keep the peace, so don’t make it more difficult for them.
- Don’t let your child run completely wild, if others are trying to relax. “At the pool or beach, don’t let your child disturb others. This includes restraining him from screaming or running along the side of a pool (where it is very slippery)…an older child should be taught not to splash, dunk, jump, or dive on top of another swimmer,” says The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette.
Now run along, and don’t forget that city pools are free to Richmond residents.
Have an etiquette question and need some advice? Email tess@rvanews.com.
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Tess Shebaylo
Tess Shebaylo is a freelance writer, crafter, history geek, and compulsive organizer. She works at Tumblr and lives in Church Hill with her daughter, Morella.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
A life vest for children seems a bit extreme at most pools.
People, teach your kids to swim- such an underestimated life tool.
I completely agree: parents control kids, teach them awareness and consideration to others, and teach em to swim.
Also, and on the other side of the coin: teens and adults at a community pool or location with children present, have enough common decency not to behave in excessively “adult” ways to the point where it becomes offensive to families. Have at least a passing awareness of the fit of your swimwear, the time to “let it all hang out” might not be at the community pool full of 5-10 year olds…be mindful of language etc.
And ultimately, don’t you think that proper etiquette is really about the art of being mindful and considerate of the needs and sensibilities of those around you? Makes me a little sad how something that seems so common sense is so often discarded in our society.