There are certain locations that, even for an eight-month freshman, are easily identifiable as social centers. For those of you who are intimidated by such venues or just ignorant of the people around you, I'd like to give you a guide related to the social norms and expectations associated with these hotspots.

The first one is the Rec Center. Now pretty much everyone I know of likes the idea of working out — just thinking about exercising makes us feel healthy and responsible. However, there is a much smaller set of people who enjoy working out, or for that matter, who actually follow up on the idea.

Unless you're one of the freaks who goes to the gym at least five times a week, carries around an exercise notepad to record and ponder his experience and drinks a protein shake before and after, it can be extremely difficult to motivate yourself. By the way, the first rule of this social forum is to completely avoid these people and refrain from commenting on or ridiculing their gym diary; it tends to be a very sensitive subject.

So what is acceptable Rec Center socialization? Well, to be honest, not much. People are expected to conduct their interactions with minimal physical contact because everyone wears grungy workout garb and tends to be very sweaty. In fact, some people actually just wear the same outfit every day. On top of this, extraneous chatter with people you are not actually working out with is typically frowned upon. This doesn't rule out a friendly “hello”, but these acquaintances are there to exercise and avoid chitchat: Why do you think they put their iPod on in the first place?

If you think the rule of limited socializing applies inside the gym, multiply that by 10 once inside the locker room. Now as far as I know, girls may be having social therapy sessions inside their locker room, but for guys, if you go as far as washing your hands next to another man, you're getting a little too friendly.

Another unique aspect of the Rec's social dynamics is the “spot.” The spot request is not a necessity, but it does provide a sense of comfort and security if lifting heavy weights. The “spotee,” however, will not ask just anyone for a spot. You need to look like you know what you're doing and work out on a semi-regular basis yourself. I myself received my first stranger spot-request just three months ago. On the flip side, you are never permitted to refuse a spot. Try this out next time you're at the gym even if you're just about to use a treadmill. Once you ask for a spot, I guarantee you the spotter will at least hover awkwardly behind you for several moments before giving you an encouraging pat and leaving. There is also the understanding that, in a stranger spot, you will only be asked to spot for one set, after which the “spotee” must find another helper.

One final word of warning on the Rec: Though it might seem like a great place for everyone just to be healthy, the crowd here consists primarily of people who are already in ridiculously good shape and will make you feel unworthy to be using the same equipment.

Justin Poythress is a senior in Peabody College. He can be reached at j.poythress@vanderbilt.edu.