How Friends Communicate Via Erg

Louisa is late for our regular workout, and I am a little peeved and start without her. She finally arrives, apologizes, and gets on the machine next to me.

I keep rowing, rather than resetting my clock to match hers. I'm annoyed with you for being late.

I keep my rating at a 22 while she is warming up at an 18. I'm still annoyed with you for being late.

With 5 minutes left, I drop to an 18 and match her stroke. OK, I forgive you.

Louisa stops rowing when I do so that we can start the second piece together even though that shortens her workout. I'm really sorry for being late.

We get ready to go, and I expect her to start the next piece at her usual pace of 18. But she starts the piece at a 22, which she knows is my favorite. Here is my gift to show you how so very, very very very sorry I am for being late.

She strokes all four pieces at a 22 and keeps her splits nice and low. I am a loyal friend and will make sacrifices to show that we are friends and that I value our friendship.

I match her splits. Thank you.

I slow down my catches a couple of times to let her know that a lower rating is fine with me if she wants to bring it down. I would like to offer you a gift in return.

She politely refuses each time. No no, I insist, it's no trouble at all.

We're cooling down, and Louisa tells me the elaborate plan for our next workout, to which I enthusiastically agree. Hug.