If people dont ask to share, are you supposed to offer?
If I’m alone in a lane and I see someone waiting that looks like they are there to do a workout (read can swim at about the same pace as me, no joggers thanks) I’ll stop and et them know that they are welcome to share.
Share what? A lane? I just assume that the lane is for sharing, I would neither ask nor offer.
I do if I’m in the lane by myself and notice someone on the deck.
Hell no. Heck I don’t ask, if the lanes are for public lengths swimming, I self-seed myself based on the swimming I see…
I do with people I know, but not with total strangers unless they ask.
Why do you assume it is for sharing without asking?
You should always ask before getting in a lane. Of course only and A-hole would say no, but you should always ask. If you are swimming solo and swimming center of the lane, you are in for a rude surprise when someone joins you without you knowing.
semi-public pool with designated open swim lanes. Semi-public because you need to be a member to swim, but anyone can get a membership.
The lanes that are not for sharing are reserved for various groups (club / varsity swim teams, aquafit classes, etc).
I always swim circles, even if I have the lane to myself. If I’m joining someone else, I’ll let them know I’m getting in, but I’m not going to ask their permission.
No I usually stop at the end and start randomly cursing and hitting myself in the face and head- that typically scares them away,
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It’s a public/semi-public pool with open swim lanes. Why wouldn’t it be for sharing.
And I’m sorry, if somebody hops in your lane and you can’t notice and adjust your swimming to make room - be it staying to one side, or switching to circle if a thrid person jumps in - go take swim lessons.
They only time I make exception to this rule is when I swim in the mornings at my Y when there are regulars, and people have their “times” and their lanes…
I’m happy to offer. If they are faster than me it gives me a better workout. If they are slower, I get to internally stroke my ego! (which was awesome that ONE time) 
Works out both ways!
I always ask before entering. I usually offer if I see someone waiting. The caveat is that they have to look like they actually swim. I am usually in the “faster” designated lanes, so, if I see someone I recognize (e.g., jogger or very slow swimmer), I am not going to offer to let them in the fast lane. Is that being a dick?
Not to hijack the thread, but, here is what happened last night. Four lane lap pool. Lanes 2, 3, and 4 are removed for water aerobics. I am in lane 1, the only open lane. Lane 1 sucks b/c it is narrow and the pool has strong jets that push you around in lanes 1 and 4. Class ends, lanes go back up. Guy jumps into lane 2. I stop swimming, grab my kickboard and swim bag and start pushing them over to Lane 3, which is now set up and open. I enter lane 2, just get ready to go under the lane marker to lane 3 (remember, I am also pushing my crap along the side of the pool), and this dopey-looking goof-ball walks in the pool area and tosses his goggles into lane 3 from about 15-20 feet away. Big slug of a guy who spends more time resting than doing sets. He usually stays 20 minutes, about, 10 of which are actually swimming.
Edit: I should also mention there is a large sign that explains the “designated speed” for each lane and procedure for sharing lanes. In addition, at this point, lanes 1 and 4 are still open (three of us total for 4 lanes).
So, what is the proper etiquette for this situation?
I asked the otehr day and the lane ass who was in the lane already was none the too happy. He decided to be a turd ball and crowded me by swimming down the middle of the lane at all times until the lifeguard basically told him to stop being an ass. But, yeah, I always ask out of courtesy.
Further, I don’t have any issue hopping into a lane with someone who is much faster than me either. If there is an open lane, I take it, end of story.
Bob
If they’re obviously waiting for a lane, but are apparently reluctant to just jump in, then offer. Maybe different pools have different etiquette. At mine, you don’t join a lane without asking. OTOH, when someone asks, you always agree to share.
That seems about the right balance.
All the pools I swim in are public community centers with 3 or 4 lanes designated for slow thru fast. Most of the times, the real swimmers end up in the med fast or fast because the other lanes are taken up by people who float on their backs and scull down the lane or do slow breast strokes. No one ever asks or offers to get in a lane, you just pick the one your comfortable in and go. At these pools, where the etiquette comes in is letting the faster swimmers by when they catch you and being sure not to hold them up.
I would have purposely run into that guy enough times that he would have been the one getting out of the pool. What an ass.
I asked the otehr day and the lane ass who was in the lane already was none the too happy. He decided to be a turd ball and crowded me by swimming down the middle of the lane at all times until the lifeguard basically told him to stop being an ass. But, yeah, I always ask out of courtesy.
Bob
Since this is a pool etiquette thread…
Yesterday, I got in the water at the community pool and the woman already in the lane told me she’d be finishing soon so I’d have the lane to myself. I waited for her to start swimming (so I wouldn’t be directly next to her), and she seemed puzzled. Finally, I explained that I’d wait for her to get at least halfway down the pool so I wasn’t swimming on directly next to her, because that would be really annoying for both of us. I thought it was expected that one should give the other person a lead-off. Was I incorrect in my assumption?
(FWIW, I don’t think many serious swimmers train at this particular pool. I’m the slowest swimmer in my tri club, but most of the time, I’m the fastest swimmer in this pool’s lap lanes.)