I've been climbing for about 6-8 months now at my local climbing gym. I love the sport and truly its the only exercise I really love doing. I go 2-3 times a week.

Lately I've noticed some really obnoxious behavior that both me and my girlfriend (who's been climbing for years) both find annoying and really rude. It seems to be mostly more experienced climbers who do this on a regular basis, mostly men (but not always....90% of the time).

It's 2 things:

First is belaying across the room. Now I get when your partner is at the top of a route, its nice to have the rope out of the way. And if you're a smaller person belaying someone bigger, it helps to get some space to lean in to your harness. But on a busy night where the gym is packed, literally people have their ass against the wall behind them....taking up the entire space between 2 walls. It makes it impossible to climb the wall behind the belayer and the wall next to them if they're close to it. On a busy night, that's a lot of space to take up.

And second, People will literally lay spread eagle in the middle of the floor while their friends climb / belay! Last night there were 3 dudes in the middle of the floor, laid out flat, spread eagle. WTF is this??

I guess I just don't understand the complete lack of spacial awareness in a space that isn't THAT big and the self importance that you can take up as much space as you want without any regard for those around you.

Does this happen at all gyms? Is it dudes just being stereotypical and not making space for others? How would you address this?