South Korea gym ban on 'aunties' sparks an ageism row

The gym owner defended the move, claiming his company had "suffered damages" because of ajummas.

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The gym in Incheon city near the capital Seoul put up a sign that read "off limits to ajummas" and "only cultivated and elegant women allowed".

Ajumma is a catch-all term for older women - typically late-30s onwards - but is also a pejorative for behaviour that is seen as rude or obnoxious.

Local reports did not name the gym or its owner, who defended the move, claiming that his company had "suffered damages" because of these women and their unruly behaviour.

“[Some older women customers] would spend an hour or two in the changing room to do their laundry, steal items including towels, soaps, or hair dryers,” he said in a televised interview with South Korean news agency Yonhap.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgll0y7pgygo

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