It seems like more and more odd gym occurrences are happening by the day and lately, a TikToker has been around to film it. Recently, a woman filmed a man who she thought was checking her out, but it turned out the man accused was watching an episode of Mr. Bean, the comedy television series.
It all started with TikToker, @michxlim, Michelle Lim, who uploaded a video on Jan. 19. The video, which has since been deleted and/or taken down, depicts a man being recorded in a white T-shirt, by a phone seemingly placed somewhere around some exercise equipment.
Text from the video indicates Michelle Lim had “suspicion” because the man “kept staring at my direction”. The TikToker did not say what she suspected the man of doing per se but finished off the post with a #gymcreeps. While the encounter has been taken down, here is an image of the incident that occurred.
As seen above, the woman opted to record in an effort to confirm her suspicion that indeed, the man is leering directly at her. However, after a different camera angle emerged, the narrative of the TikToker story changed suddenly.
Bystander Shows A Different Angle Of The TikToker & Exonerates Man In Video
On Jan. 20, 2022, a fellow TikToker took to the streaming platform with the handle @dontanyhowrecord and explained the real reason why the man was continuously staring in that direction. In what was allegedly filmed in the same gym, TikToker @dontanyhowrecord shared a photo that shows the man being accused of wrongdoings is actually just watching an episode of the hit comedy series, Mr. Bean.
TikToker @dontanyhowrecord writes, “The person “staring at you was watching Mr Bean.”
After the fellow TikToker, @dontanyhowrecord enlightened Michelle Lim, the woman posted a video apologizing to the gym-goer however it has since been deleted. Within the video is a written note explaining that she felt uncomfortable at the gym while doing walking lunges as she attests that she and the gym-goer made continuous eye contact. Feeling unsafe, the woman felt the need to get her cell phone out and record the man.
Michelle Lim has apologized but stated that her initial intention was to ensure that women feel safer when they go to work out at gyms. After being fully aware of the consequences of her actions, the accuser admits that she could have handled the entire situation better. In the end, the TikToker concluded the statement by apologizing to the man watching Mr. Bean and offered to apologize to him in person directly.
Michelle Lim’s Official Apology
“Hi, my name’s Michelle and I go by my social handle: @michxlim. You probably have seen the video where I have filmed and uploaded a particular gym user who happened to be at the gym the same time as me on Tiktok. I have since deleted the video.
I remember feeling uncomfortable while doing my walking lunges as we made eye contact frequently. I felt unsafe at that point of time and when I switched to my next exercise at the cables, I decided to film him for evidence (in case anything happened to me). It was getting late, I left the gym shortly after and looked through the video while I was on the way home. Hence, approaching him or the staff didn’t come across my mind.
While I was editing the video, I just wanted to get my point across that everyone should feel safe at a public space that is commonly dominated by the males. And females should be free to choose their outfits based on their likes and preferences and shouldn’t be judged for it. That’s all.
I’m fully aware of the consequences now and I should have handled the situation better. I had no concrete evidence to show to the public that the guy was staring at me as the video was filmed discretly on ground level and at an awkward angle. Additionally, posting one’s personal privacy to the public is illegal and could have serious damage on one’s future aspects such as reputation tarnishing.
I’m sorry to the guy I’ve posted in the video – Also, I don’t have your contact. Please reach out to me so I can apologise to you personally too.”
After the her apology man in the video shared his response…
@dontanyhowrecord My response to @michxlim #fyp #gym #Singapore #genderequality
With how many recording devices are inside of gyms, it seems situations of hostility are emerging often and sometimes a simple camera angle can solve the case. With the case of Michelle Lim’s video, it seems the man accused of wrongdoings was actually just watching a TV show.
Thsts how people end up blackballed due to false sexual offence speculation going public. This could easily destroy a persons life for nothing. My thing is if your going to be in public your going to be seen no matter if its a glance or a long stare and yes you can wear what you want but you have to rrmrmber its human nature ti admire nit everyone is a creep fir normal admiration thats why your working out right? You want to LOOK good when people see you. Just cause a person look at a nice car go by does not mean he is going to get in it and drive it. Just admiration expect it when it happens. The world has been blessed with vision but not makes a person a creep. Lighten up and be careful who and how you judge people folks.
So basically men are unsafe at gyms. Women get looked at, men get accused of stalking while watching something on the club TV. We never really talk about how men should be free and safe of bullshit like this, men are supposed to understand and tolerate the attacks while simultaneously defending others from attack. It’s dehumanizing and shows a lack of base level self-awareness on the part of the tik-tok poster. People, before pointing the finger at someone else take a look at the three pointing back at you and examine. This could have been avoided and if she put his face on social media under that connotation I’d say he has a really good defamation case if he chooses to pursue it.
Another female accusing a guy of gawking at them. Only femqle gym goers would do this. As if no female ever look at guys while they are working out. The only difference is guys just dont give s sh*t and will continue to work out.. Tired of these females blaming guys in the gym looking at them.
You think he’s chkn you out, but you do the creepiest thing to him, record him . Ppl stop recording ppl and you won’t have to look like a ass in the end. Mind your biz even if you think others aren’t.
The #metoo movement has gone off the rails, and has attracted seriously damaged people like this woman. Seriously, instead of spreading your neuroses for the world to see, seek mental helo and stop using this movement to harrass a man just trying to go on about his business. One last piece of advice, get over yourself. The world doesn’t revolve around you and your inflated ego.