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I have noticed recently in some of the aerobic and yoga classes that people come in early and save spots for friends."
I have lived in TV for almost 20 years and this has been happening since I arrived. It is embarrassing and hurtful and, unfortunately, often the people doing it are "in" with the instructor making it even more difficult to end this rotten practice. A lot of people used to leave their car keys on their "spot" and I had an overwhelming desire to kick their car keys all over the room, especially under the chairs.
But, I never had the nerve to do it.