Traditionally we have not been frequent visitors to Spas and Saunas. On a trip last year, we used a rainy day to check one out – in Kochel am See in Bavaria Germany. Since we enjoyed it, we took advantage of the presence of a wellness area in our hotel in Austria on our most recent excursion. One common thing about Germany and Austria is, that a lot of things are regulated with a good number of rules – a wellness/Sauna area is no exception. Usually, we do not spend much time reading these and just go with the flow. In Kochel though one rule had an extra frequent and extra-large set of reminders about it posted in the locker rooms as well as the walkways and stairways leading up to the facilities: No cell phones/no cameras! I think the objective was to respect people’s privacy as much as the desired relaxing and quiet atmosphere people seek in such places. I do not remember seeing specific signs about phones in the wellness area at our hotel – but sure enough we noticed a gentleman in the rest area lounging between steam room visits with his phone reading and scrolling. Many people read books or just lay there with their eyes closed and he surely did not take secret pictures – so no objections. But then his phone rang, and this made the mood sour because he took the call and started a conversation that inadvertently was loud! All people have difficulties controlling the sound level in phone conversations. “Chicken” or not – he got lots of looks but nobody felt compelled (me included) to engage into a verbal argument. He spoke a foreign language also – I guess Czech or another slavish language. How did I control my brewing anger – I first thought and then noted to my wife who also felt disturbed: “Remember when we had our first mobile phone – how excited and proud we were and how we took and initiated calls in all kinds of places?”
(Unfortunately later in this trip I had to invoke my “first phone excitement” excuse a few more times on ski lifts and in gondolas and on the bus! The world is slow to grow up!)