DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have joined a fitness club. The policy of the gym is that members do not talk on their phones in the workout area.

While there is very little of that, many people do talk with each other and text on their phones. The problem is they sit on the machines while doing so — sometimes for five or 10 minutes.

Since many of these people are more muscular and intimidating than we are, is there a nonconfrontational way we can ask to use the equipment while they finish their conversation in another spot?

GENTLE READER: Shouldn’t you be nonconfrontational even toward people who are not capable of beating you up?

Miss Manners is grateful for anything that stops people from becoming belligerent, which is what she gathers you mean by confrontational. But she hopes there is something besides fear of violence preventing people from treating others harshly — possibly respect, the assumption of goodwill and the desire for a harmonious community.

The nonconfrontational approach in this case would be to say, “Excuse me, are you still using this machine?” Should they refuse to move, you should appeal to management — but also politely.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.