Every now and then I notice guys coming into the gym wearing masks that have nothing to do with health or illness. I am talking military style face coverings, ski masks, that kind of thing.
I will be honest. Where I come from, that look usually signals something is off. Whether that is fair or not, it is my gut reaction and I doubt I am the only one who feels that way. It makes me uncomfortable and whether intentional or not, it reads as a threat.
There was another guy who used to come in looking like he was gearing up for a tactical operation. Full kit, face covered, the whole thing. Again, maybe it was a fashion statement. Maybe he just likes the aesthetic. But it put me on edge every time.
I get that people can wear whatever they want. That is not the argument. The argument is about how what you wear affects the people around you, especially in a shared space where everyone is supposed to feel safe and comfortable. A gym is supposed to be a place where people let their guard down, not a place where they feel like they need to keep it up.
What do you think? Am I off base or do others feel the same way?
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