Not sure if they still make these instruments

You have most likely heard the phrase, or perhaps seen someone make a gesture as if they are playing a tiny violin.

Well, I had to pull mine out and tune it up today!

In case you are not 40-ish and are too young to know what I am referring to, here is the standard situation you might use your tiny violin:

You have two people talking and one of them is not at all impressed with the other person’s story and really considers it whining or complaining. The listener begins rubbing his thumb and forefinger together near his ear and often asks “Do you hear that” or “do you know what I am doing? I’m playing the world’s tiniest violin and a sad song for you!”

There is a time for everything. Usually.

No, I am not referring to Ecclesiastes 3 which spells out a time and place for everything… that is for another post.

For the 40-ish crowd, if you don’t read the bible, you might recall Ecclesiastes 3 from Kevin Bacon’s plea to the schoolboard:

The gym is not the time and place to whine and complain about your life to others, especially guys. Even more specifically, your workout partners… No, not even if they are your friends!

I can safely speak for all 40-ish guys who hit the gym at 5am… save it for your wife, girlfriend, therapist or Dr. Phil.

If you don’t know who I am referring to, odds are you may be that guy – and not “That Guy” in a good way.

I’m referring to the guy or gal in the gym who makes excuses and then begins to drag down everyone else around them like a 20 ton anchor.

They think they have:

• a busier schedule
• more stress
• less sleep
• are hungrier
• work harder than everyone else on God’s green earth

I have yet to meet a single person who wants to hear that crap if they are in the gym, especially the pre-dawn zombie crew.

If you can recall a time in the gym when you were whining or complaining to someone (especially your workout partner) who is activley attempting to improve themselves, you need rules. Guys who workout don’t want to hear you whining like a B….

Therefore, I give you “That Guy’s top 3 no whining rules”

Guys Workout Rules:

1. Less is more. I’m not referring to weight or intensity. If your jaw is getting a harder workout than your other muscles, you have a problem.
2. No Whining Zone. Exactly! If you don’t have something uplifting, informative, entertaining or funny to say, keep your trap shut.
3. Don’t be an anchor. It is difficult for a 40-ish year old to get to the gym regularly. Don’t make it harder!

Speaking of don’t make it harder, you might need a way to remember… that’s what she said!