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Especially in a male-dominated space. I think these men are super bold with their rage because there's only men around them so they can all work together to be dicks.
Basically I went to this new male dominated sports place alone and the guy on reception decided to hate me from two seconds in (I did nothing). He was outright rolling his eyes and asking me invasive questions trying to get to me. There was no one around at the time so he had a lot of deniability. He notably refused to say the usual explanation of where things are, where to change and so on.
On the way out I asked him where to return my kit and he was super patronising about me not figuring out where to put it. He was like "hmmm... hmmm... do you think it could be over there? Probably, right? What do you think?" Like he was full of rage at me for existing. Because I'm a DA victim of this exact type of guy, this similar behaviour automatically causes my adrenalin to kick in.
Now I'm worried to go back to the sports place, which I guess was his intention. I just know he's going to be worse every time.
Here's my approach:
1. Do you have to deal with him?
a. If no, then don't. Walk away, avoid, and forget.
b. If yes, then ask:
2. Is he in a position of power over you?
a. If no, then deal with him any way you damn well please. If you're naturally loud and confrontational, get loud and confrontational. If you're naturally petty and back-stabby, get petty and back-stabby. Write bad reviews, report him to the manager--hell, report the whole place to the Better Business Bureau. Do what you like.
b. If yes, then do the bare minimum you need to get through your interactions with him. Grey rock.
I don't know how important it is for you to keep going to this sports place. If you really want/need to keep going there, just grey rock in your interactions with him.