Honestly, was I (too) masungit?

Okay, I don't usually rant and I really try to be pleasant with everyone , but allow me to share with you guys what happened with me at Ace Water Spa yesterday, and tell me if I was way out of line or something.

It's the third time that we swam there for a video shoot, so I basically know their rules.  I also know that it was quite a long walk from the locker room towards the pool side, therefore I really prefer not to give Ben a shower at the locker room before swimming because I know he'll just feel cold and there is a chance that the coach will not call us to go down the swimming pool as soon as we get there.

Now, the locker attendant was insistent that I give Ben a shower, I explained my reasons and refused.  "Baka magkasakit lang ang bata", she insisted again but I really stood my ground.  Finally, she said that only I took a shower instead.  Annoyingly, I agreed, then Ben and I went towards the pool side.

As expected, we were asked to wait for our turn by the bench at the pool side.  Had Ben been given a shower, he would have felt cold  and I would have had to wipe him dry.  Good thing I didn't allowed it. (Since I took a shower, I got cold and felt the sniffles.)  Then it just so happens that the same attendant went down the poolside where we were sitting.  Since I was still annoyed by what happened, I called her attention and said " See, we are still here waiting for our turn to swim.  This is what I meant when I didn't want to give my child a shower before leaving the locker room.  There is a shower area here by the pool side, that would be a better place for kids to take a shower before swimming if you really want to be strict about it"  She didn't say anything anymore but the lifeguard that was with her said he understood and will bring it up to management.

I didn't know what came over me, why I had to call the attendant's attention when I saw her again by the pool side.  I guess I wanted to explain  my side further.  I was a frustrated because I've been doing my best to follow their rules but I really couldn't let this one go.  It didn't really help that she wasn't pleasant in the first place.  I was actually tempted to tell her that if I did give Ben a shower and he catches a cold, would you pay  for his meds? Would you take care of him at night when he'd have a hard time breathing?

Anyway, I feel a little guilty being "mean" or "aggressive", I am not really the confrontational type.  I guess I felt strongly about this because (1) I've been swimming practically all my life ( in a lot of places) and this is the only place where the attendants are not only unpleasant, but would even argue with a customer, and (2) I am a mom.  I am responsible for Ben.  Therefore I should be the one making decisions about these things because I am answerable if he gets sick, and I'm the one end up most worried and stressed if he is not feeling well.

So now, a day after the whole incident, I'm still thinking about it, whether or not I was too harsh or something.  I just hope those I talked to think don't think that I wanted to give them a hard time.  I know they're just doing their job but they have to understand I am just doing mine as well.

Mommy Review: Ace Water Spa Pasig

Two weeks ago,  Ben and I were invited to Coach Angelo Lozada's Baby and Me demo class at Ace Water Spa in Pasig.  I was quite excited since I've always been curious about the place.  Allow me to share with you our experience.

Pros
There was ample parking and the guard was quite polite and accomodating.  The pool area is quite big.  There's a big lap pool and several small pools.   The small heated pools even have fountains and windmills. Cute, enticing, but do take note that they only allow kids in the small pool with the slide (which Ben liked a lot!).  The  lifeguard on duty is quite alert and friendly, especially to the kids. Oh, and they require everyone to wear  the swimming caps they lend you (for sanitary purposes, I suppose) so take note of that in case you want to bring your own.

Cons
It's a long walk towards the locker room and even a longer walk from the locker room to the pool area.  It shouldn't be a big deal but the attendants make you shower before leaving the locker room.  They probably mean well, but the long walk towards the pool can be quite chilly if you have already showered.  Also, if you are attending a child's swimming class, Coach Angelo recommends that you wait for the actual class to start before going down the pool so the kids don't use up their energy right away.  This is another reason why it may not be wise to let the kids shower before leaving the locker room.  If they're a little early for their class, they'll just end up feeling cold staying by the poolside.  Then there's this rule about not being allowed to wear a towel while sitting by the pool.  During our time there, I was so concerned about Ben feeling cold while we wait for our turn to swim that I wanted to wrap him with a towel but rules are you have to leave them by the rack.  I wonder what's behind that rule.

Okay, so back to the locker room, there was ample space, a dryer and a some toiletrees.  No complaints about that.  But I do wish that their dressing and shower rooms have actual doors than curtains.  Yes, they do the trick most of the time, but still, actual doors could give the users more privacy.

Now, on a final note, what I really hope that the place improves on is consistency with their rules. For example, the attendants of the locker room say they don't allow board shorts on the pool but there were some who got away with wearing them.  Maybe they should rethink that rule.  I mean, how about men who don't what to wear swimming trunks or spandex shorts to the pool?  Also, the attendants said they don't allow yayas beyond the locker room, but there were a couple that were able to go close to the pool area.  What's up with that?

My verdict is that the place can improve on making itself child and mommy friendly.  And honestly, I was glad we were able to try out the place for free because to spend around P500 per person to swim, I expected more :)