Luxury resorts have long been the epitome of relaxation—until an unwelcome guest shatters the serenity. HBO’s The White Lotus brilliantly highlights everything that can go wrong at a resort pool. Each episode is a masterclass in how not to behave while sunbathing or taking a dip. And if there were a gold medal for being the most annoying guest, Saxon would be on the podium, proudly clutching his trophy for poolside disruption.
From aggressively attempting to pick up women to blatantly ignoring social cues, Saxon is the ultimate cautionary tale for anyone who values their tranquility. But he’s not alone. Resorts worldwide are filled with guests who unknowingly (or shamelessly) commit egregious social sins. So, let’s talk about swimming pool etiquette—because no one wants to be the human version of a mosquito buzzing around a cocktail.
1. Don’t Be a Saxon: No Unsolicited Flirting
The pool is not your personal dating app. If The White Lotus has taught us anything, it’s that people on holiday are not looking to be ambushed by unwanted advances while they’re trying to unwind. Saxon epitomizes the worst kind of poolside predator—hovering around, injecting himself into conversations, and failing to read the room.
If someone is reading a book, sipping their cocktail, or chatting with a friend, that is not an open invitation for flirtation. If someone gives you short answers, avoids eye contact, or suddenly becomes interested in their phone, take the hint—your approach is unwelcome.
Golden rule: If someone wants to talk to you, they will make it clear. Otherwise, let people lounge in peace.
2. Keep Your Phone and Camera in Check
We live in an era where people feel the need to document every second of their lives. But a resort pool is not the place for intrusive video recording and constant photo-taking.
Nothing is worse than being captured in the background of a stranger’s TikTok video while you’re minding your own business. The White Lotus subtly jabs at this cultural shift, reminding us that some moments are best enjoyed without an audience.
If you must take a photo, be discreet. If you’re on a video call, wear headphones and speak quietly. And for the love of all things luxurious, do not—under any circumstances—aim your camera at strangers, especially those in swimwear.
Golden rule: Capture memories, not other people’s privacy.
3. Respect the Wellness of Others
Lounging by the pool should be an exercise in relaxation. Yet, some guests behave as if they are at a festival. Blasting music from your Bluetooth speaker, taking loud phone calls on speaker mode, or engaging in unnecessarily boisterous conversations disrupts the serene environment.
In The White Lotus, wellness retreats and spa moments are constantly interrupted by obnoxious guests who fail to grasp the concept of tranquility. If people wanted a loud experience, they would have gone to a club—not a five-star resort.
Golden rule: Keep your volume (and energy) in check.
4. Towels Are Not Property Deeds
Reserving sun loungers with towels at the crack of dawn, only to disappear for hours, is one of the most infuriating behaviors at a resort pool. The White Lotus doesn’t have to dramatize this—because it’s already a universal issue.
If you place a towel on a chair, use it within a reasonable timeframe. Hoarding loungers as if you’re playing Monopoly in a high-stakes game of ‘Who Gets the Best Sunbed’ is peak entitlement. Resorts are meant to be shared spaces, and everyone deserves a fair chance at a prime spot.
Golden rule: If you’re not actively using the lounger, don’t claim it.
5. Splashing, Jumping, and Roughhousing—Save It for Water Parks
There is always that one guest (or an entire family) that treats the pool like an audition for an Olympic diving team. Unless you’re at a designated activity pool, keep the splashing to a minimum. No one wants to be drenched while sunbathing, and no one appreciates being smacked by a stray pool noodle.
Saxon and his type may believe their antics are fun, but when you’re disturbing others, the fun stops being mutual.
Golden rule: If your actions create waves—literal or metaphorical—dial it back.
6. Poolside Food and Drinks—Know Your Limits
A cocktail by the pool is one thing, but full-scale feasting and excessive drinking? That’s a recipe for disaster. The White Lotus expertly portrays how alcohol-fueled pool behavior can quickly descend into chaos. Loud debates, spilling drinks into the pool, and sloppy behavior are all ingredients in the recipe for making enemies at a resort.
Additionally, no one wants to see half-eaten burgers floating in the water or step on your discarded fruit rinds. Eat at designated areas and ensure your drink doesn’t turn into an unintended poolside hazard.
Golden rule: Keep the dining for the cabana, not the shallow end.
7. Sunscreen and Hygiene—Consider Others
Sunscreen is essential, but please, let it absorb before diving into the pool. There’s nothing more unappealing than an oil slick floating on the surface, courtesy of someone who applied an entire bottle of tanning oil and immediately jumped in.
And while we’re on the subject—showering before entering the pool should be non-negotiable. It’s a public space, not your private bathtub. Respect the water quality for the sake of everyone else.
Golden rule: Sunscreen on the skin, not in the water.
8. Kids at the Pool—Manage Their Behavior
Children are wonderful, but they need supervision. Parents should be mindful of their kids’ poolside behavior—screaming, running, and cannonballing into the pool are disturbances to those trying to relax.
In The White Lotus, the presence of unruly children often serves as an ironic contrast to the supposed peacefulness of a luxury resort.
Golden rule: If you bring kids, keep them entertained—but in a way that doesn’t impact others.
Final Thoughts: Be the Guest You Wish to Encounter
A luxury pool should be a sanctuary of calm and indulgence. Yet, the very behaviors showcased in The White Lotus prove how easily that peace can be shattered. Saxon and his ilk serve as walking warnings of what not to do at a resort pool.
Poolside etiquette isn’t about snobbery; it’s about consideration. If you wouldn’t appreciate a behavior from someone else, don’t be the person who commits it. And if in doubt, take a moment to channel the energy of the most elegant guest at the resort—the one reading a book, sipping a cocktail, and minding their own business.
That’s the person we should all aspire to be.
Golden rule: Don’t be Saxon.
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