Swim Requiring a High Level of Etiquette

Trying to Fit in While Swimming at a Health Club in Osaka.....


* A locker just for shoes

* Slippers in the shoe locker

* A warning sign; directions for operating the locker

* A need to shower and, wear a bathing cap before entering the pool


Here is the story:

So a guy walks into a health club in Kobe, Japan - to go for a relaxing swim…

He is presented with not just a key but a separate metal tab. He is wondering “what do I do with this tab?” As it turns out, and every Japanese must know I’m sure, that the conventional key is for the shoe locker; the place where you put your street shoes (dirty), and the tab is for your clothes locker. But there is more… He has to figure out how to use the tab in the locker, because there is a key pad on the locker!

The secret is, and I’m sure that you will want to know this when you are faced with this situation, you put the tab in the slot in from of the locker, then, and ONLY, then enter the password of your choice which allows one to close the door. Oh, and don’t forget your password!

Now on to the pool. Be careful not to trip while wearing those Japanese sandals as they are 3 sizes too small! There are 3 more things that one must do before entering the pool, not counting changing into ones bathing suit; Hose oneself down in the shower, and make sure that one enters the pool in the correct lane! Oh, don’t forget to put ones swim cap on! Everyone wears a swim cap in Japan! But back to the lane. Someone that I know made the sorry mistake of entering the pool and commencing their swim in the MEMBERS ONLY lane! I’m told that they were kindly reminded that the lane was reserved for members only. Looking around, just as was suspected; they were the only one in not only the pool, but the entire pool area!