In the cold winter months it becomes even harder to get up in the morning for a run, so I get a pass at the school gym instead.

You go in, show your card, and they give you a key for a locker.

They only give out odd numbered keys, as these are for the upper lockers. The lockers are stacked two high, and apparently there are enough that they don't have to use the bottom lockers.

They tend to give lower numbers to the older people. The lower numbered lockers, from 1 to about 39, are on the front wall. They are easier to find, and convenient to the shower, so it seems a deliberate policy borne out of this Korean respect for the aged.

It is not a hard and fast rule. Certain people, when they are working, always give me a number below 40. Certain people don't. I think, perhaps, they are hitting on me. Or perhaps when I have a touque on, my age is not so clear.

This morning I go in and the girl gives me number eleven.

"Number eleven?" I say, "I had number eleven yesterday."

"Oh, wow!" she says with a smile, humouring me.

"Can I get a different number?" I ask, handing the key back.

"Uhh." She considers. "Why?"

"Well," I say, my teeth clenching with the discomfort of it 😬. "Did they clean it?"

"We don't clean the lockers unless there is a reason to."

"Oh, there's no reason" I say, looking around, "I'd just like to try something new. Maybe something in the 80s."

She hands me number 87.

"Thanks." I say, as I leave to the locker room. Gesturing to someone who has walked in after me, I say to her, "This guy looks like number eleven would be perfect for him."