Mansplaining maybe, hitting on you maybe, or just being helpful? Nah. Just being a dillwick/gym nazi if you ask me.

One of the reasons why I'm thankful for my garage gym is that I don't have to put with silliness from anyone but myself.

As far as using the rubber bumper plates for deadlifts, they're great if you have them but people have been doing deads with iron plates since day one. If you're lifting on rubber gym floor mats, it really makes no difference. Bumper plates are pretty much mandatory if you're going to drop the weights like from cleans or other Olympic style lifts.

Next time someone gives your grief like that, tell them you compete in the highland games and throw bigger pieces of crap than them.