I know that November is the “entrance month” to a season of joy and good will, so I am a little hesitant about posting this “Rant & Rave” entry. I also know that this rant is petty, unimportant, trivial, absolutely idiotic, and a “been-there, done-that” repetition entry, but last week, as I sat in my doctor’s waiting room, I just kept wondering why they’re never on time. I can totally understand it if the doctor is a surgeon, but I’m not as forgiving with doctors who don’t have those types of emergency situations.
I think I didn’t mind it as much before doctors decided that they all have to have televisions in their waiting rooms. I have written about this before, but since this is one of my petty pet peeves, here I go again. Every time this happens, I feel like I’m being “forced” to listen to mindless television shows while I try to write an entry, or get some other type of paper work done. (I can’t retain what I read when I have a lot of commotion going on in the background, so I don’t even bother reading.) Last week’s “forced” television-watching included an old sitcom I never wanted to watch and a new sitcom I would never sit through at home. (And I mean NEVER on both counts!)
As I mentioned, I try to write my entries (usually the ones I post on my TV and Movies page) while waiting, so I have a notebook I always take with me. My problem is that I can’t really concentrate while the television is blaring. It is such a distraction that I now carry earplugs in my purse. Yes, that’s right, earplugs! They at least muffle the incessant noise so that I can concentrate.
Of course, none of this would be necessary if doctors ran their offices in a timely manner and didn’t give two people the very same appointment time, or at least factored in more than ten minutes for each patient. I have two specialists who I see, and I can always bank on waiting at least one hour for each of them. And these are both doctors who advise their patients to be on time, or they will cancel your appointment and charge you a flat fee.
As I sat in that waiting room last week (with my ear plugs in) I could see that not one person was watching the television. One person was reading an old golf magazine, a woman was doing the puzzles in the local newspaper, four people were playing with their phones, and I was sitting there writing an entry long-hand. That’s right >>> there were six patients ahead of me, and it was already an hour past my scheduled time.
After waiting an hour and forty five minutes, I went out to the hallway and called my husband to complain. I don’t know if it was because he really thought it was ridiculous that I had been waiting that long OR if it was because he simply didn’t want to listen to me complain, but he suggested I leave. I cancelled my appointment, told the receptionist I would not be paying for the scheduled appointment, and left.
Lucky for me, I don’t need a referral for my doctors, so I booked another specialist. And, double-lucky for me, they had an appointment available since someone else had just cancelled, so I didn’t have to wait forever to get in. (I have already seen my new doctor.)
I usually don’t “vote with my feet” but I’m glad I made that phone call back home so that my husband was able to give me the push to do something I have been wanting to do since 2007.
PS >>> Triple-lucky for me! My new specialist doesn’t have a television in his waiting room!
AnneL says
I totally agree! The doctors are supposed to ‘know’ their patient so if the patient is notoriously talkative, then schedule accordingly! I too, bring a book or something to do, I do not care for televisions everywhere.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
AnneL, my primary care doctor as well as one of my specialists would be able to pick me out of a group of people. I know (with 99% confidence) my dentist or other specialists (even the one I had been seeing since 2007) would use the “Nice to meet you.” greeting with me if we were to meet at a social event. So much for them “knowing” me!
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
You are so awesome! I have left a doctor’s office and never gone back–TWICE. Once, we all showed up for the “First appt after lunch.” FIVE OF US with the same time. We were locked out of the office — all of us on time. No one to let us in for 15 minutes. That’s how we discovered we all had the exact same time. The other time I was left sitting with that little paper drape in a VERY cold room for an HOUR before the doctor came in. When he finally showed up, I mentioned I had been scheduled for blood work, but oddly no one had come to get blood. Turns out, he had “Forgotten” to order it. He said, “Well, you didn’t *really* need it anyway.” WHAT????? Had I not been naked I think I would have smacked him upside the head, stomped on his foot and beat him with my purse!!!!
Doctors take for patients for granted in many cases and their service is often terrible. I’m glad you found another doctor and I hope it works out better!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria, I am just getting used to our new insurance. For years we were required to have a referral for a specialist. I would never have been able to leave a doctor’s office on our old plan >>> which a lot of doctors could be banking on.
As for your doctor telling you that you didn’t really need the blood work anyway >>> that almost sounds like insurance fraud!
Lexie says
I feel your pain. MY DR office blasts cartoons on a large flatscreen
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cartoons à la large flatscreen TV! YOW!!! You trumped me in the you’ve-gotta-be-kidding category!
Tessa says
Hooray for you, on both counts!
We tend to “put up with” too much. Now and then, we really need to take a stand.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tessa, I almost NEVER do this sort of thing. I have commented before that most of us tend to be nicer to complete strangers than to the people we love. But, as they say, enough is enough!
Libby Dodd says
It is adding insult to injury to make you wait forever AND subject you to TV. Most of the waiting rooms I frequent have their TVs on news channels. I HATE news channels. I will not watch them if there is any choice.
But America has decided we can’t be left alone with our thoughts (books, writing, etc.) and must have TV. Like a laugh track so we know when to laugh. Puleeze!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Libby, I remember doctors’ offices before they put these blasting televisions in them. People would come unprepared for a long wait and you would see them just sitting there, staring into space. I am hoping that now that people have their smart phones to keep them occupied, more doctors’ offices will get rid of the TVs.
Sharon says
OMG. I thought it was just me. I have begun requesting that the TV be turned off or at least turned down. Before books on my phone, I was known as the “book” lady because if I had some uninterrupted reading time the wait didn’t feel so bad. (Now I often read on my phone.) BUT, that was before the blasting TV’s. Once when I was the only person in the waiting room, I was told it was policy not to turn off the TV. At least I keep on trying.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, the one time I asked (after telling the receptionist that no one was watching the TV) I was told that the office policy was to leave it on. Apparently, the American Medical Association is pushing the never-off television policy!
MJ says
OH, Danna, you have touched a nerve! I wouldn’t be surprised to see over 50 responses to this blog entry!! I love rants! One feels so much better after writing it down and communicating it to others. (I’ll sleep well tonight!)
Last year I waited for over an hour for an appointment with my endocrinologist. Someone in the waiting room was complaining he recently waited 3 hrs. for an appointment (not with my same doctor). Of course once you get into a room, there is another ½ hr. wait. I was in tears by the time my doctor came in. I told him I didn’t understand why he had so little respect for his patients. He explained it was important to him that he spend the necessary time with each patient. I told him I understood that and agreed with him. BUT, he then should schedule accordingly! I suggested he schedule a patient every ½ hr. instead of every 15 minutes. In addition, he reserves the first two appointments of the day for ‘new patients’. There’s no way he sees ten new patients/week. I asked to have one of those appointments in the future (I see this doctor every 6 months). He agreed to it. So I now schedule my appt. for 8:45 and get right in. In fact I have an 8:45 appointment tomorrow. I think since most practices are now owned by hospital associations, any individual doctor isn’t allowed to schedule according to the time he takes with each patient.
Recently I took a friend to have cataract laser surgery done on one eye. The waiting room had well over 50 people in it. We thought the appointment would take about 30 minutes. We then found out that many people had been there for several hours. One poor lady, who looked to be about 90, was very distressed and having adverse physical effects from the long wait – she had already been there 4 hours. I talked with the receptionist and she said everyone was told it would take 3 to 4 hours when the office called to confirm the appointment. I asked many in the waiting room if they were told that. NONE were! I then asked to speak with the manager of the clinic. He said it was the referring doctor’s responsibility to let the patients know of the 3-4 hour wait. The manager said there were several steps to this appointment, thus the long wait. However, I later found out there were only TWO steps………first a 15 minute eye exam and then the actual procedure which only takes 5-10 minutes. This clinic had 5 people lined up in chairs in a back hallway first for the eye test, and then again later for the procedure. And, these (mostly elderly) people had to sit on hard chairs while waiting in this line……..easily an hour each. It actually looked like a cattle ‘herding’!! By the way, everyone in that waiting room area was complaining loudly.
The next day my friend asked her eye doctor why she wasn’t informed about the long wait. The doctor was furious! This doctor did NOT know, nor did anyone in the office know, about this long wait. They were NOT informed by the clinic, as the manager claimed. (I bet this eye doctor will NOT refer patients to this laser clinic again!) Out of curiosity, I called the office of another doctor that does the same procedure. In that office, the patients come for two appointments. The first one is the exam, which takes about ½ hour. The patient then returns for the procedure which also takes a total of a ½ hour. The doctor does all the procedures on the same day (Wednesday) each week. But the eye exams can be spread out throughout the week. MUCH more efficient, thus eliminating a long wait/back-up for the patient.
On the positive side, my regular doctor runs a very efficient practice. I’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes, no matter what time of day I schedule an appointment. My gynecologist is another story, but I’ve learned to schedule the first appointment of the day, and I get right in.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I’ve tried the first appointment of the day and the first after lunch. I still end up waiting.
I remember finding out about the multiple appointments per time slot. I was told that was done because many times people don’t show up for their appointments. Of course, when all of the people do show up, this particular specialist would go by the first come-first served rule. This meant that you should try to be early for your appointment, since you were going to have to compete with other people with the same exact appointment time slot.
Good grief!
MJ says
Actually my endocrinologist insists that the schedulers only schedule one appointment/15 minutes. I suppose that’s a help, but the wait time mid morning, mid/late afternoon is still over an hour because he takes 1/2 hr. with most patients. Actually, I can see where the problem is because when I have an appointment with him. He’s very loquacious and talks on and on about several ‘non-medical’ topics.
My family went to an eye doctor who actually had a sign in the office, “Please be patient about the wait (always over an hour) because when it’s your turn I will take an equally long time with you”. We tolerated it for a few years because I was friends with his wife, but finally tired of it and changed eye doctors.
Danna, Since we’re talking about doctors, I wanted to mention one little ‘factoid’ you might find interesting. My regular doctor (internist) also has a law degree. And, he attended law school (Harvard) with Scott Turow!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wow, MJ, your doctor was in school longer than my daughter! (That’s a neat “factoid”)
Susan* says
(To Liddy) Unfortunately, it’s not just America. A lot of waiting rooms in Australia have TV’s as well. 🙁
As for long wait times – well, I think that’s universal, unfortunately.
I must admit, I avoid going to the Dr as much as possible. Partly because of the above mentioned, and partly because, half the time, I seem to know what’s wrong, and how to fix it, better than they do – and ‘they’re’ supposed to be the specialists…!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, how about going to a doctor and finding out he doesn’t think you needed the blood work he ordered to be done? (As Maria’s doctor did – in the above comment)
Susan says
When I get to a doctor’s office and there is a tv blasting away if I don’t like the channel I change it and if I don’t want it on I turn it off.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, good for you! I wish I had the nerve to just go turn the TV off. Instead I sit and fume for a while, and then get my ear plugs out.
Susan says
About me turning off tvs in the offices of doctors, dentists, etc. Usually I ask the other waiters if they mind if I turn it off. I ask if anyone is really watching it. I ask the employees sitting behind the desks if there is any reason why the tv is on. And usually I have to ask my husband, a very tall man, to be the one who actually turns the media pollution off because it’s often above my head.
Sometimes when I take a break, go to the bathroom, etc. when I come back the tv is back on. I turn it off again.
I really do think it’s science fiction-y for them to assault us with that noise and nonsense. They usually end up leaving it off because if they insist on turning it on, not only do I keep turning it off but I also sit there grousing, griping, making speeches about aural assaults. It really makes me mad. And it gives me something to do during the long long long waits.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, your doctors’ waiting rooms sounds just like mine. Very rarely do I see someone actually watching the TV. I am literally laughing about you going right back and turning the TV off again. I would NEVER have that kind of nerve! (Well, maybe in my mind I would!)
Susan says
And when I call a company and find myself stuck on hold being forced to listen to some ghastly form of aural torture I ask the service rep if she/he has ever called in as a customer might to see what their experience is. Not one has ever said, “yes, I know what you go through.” I always ask them to inform their supervisors that this customer found the sound assault brutal and would try to find another company to provide the service this company provides if they don’t do two things — put better music on and enable the customer stuck on hold to turn off the sound altogether. Some do offer that so I know it can be done.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, you tell them! I wouldn’t mind the telephone music if it was limited to instrumental. Because being on hold has become a regular occurrence and such a timely thing, I like to sit at my computer and get things done, or balance my checkbook, etc. I find doing tasks like that impossible when I have the continues loop of their musical picks.
Marianne says
Good for you! The thing I hate most is Fox News blaring on the TV in the mammography waiting room. Adds insult to injury!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, your comment reminded me of the last time I had a mammogram. A woman in the waiting room went absolutely wild when Joy Behar started talking about something or other.
Karen M says
I used to not mind waiting for doctors, car repairs, airplane flights, etc., because I was able to use the time to read. Now that TV screens are everywhere – including while I wait in line at certain grocery stores – I can’t do that anymore and it’s really annoying. I seldom watch TV at home and resent being forced to watch it in public. Once, at the Amtrak station in Washington, D.C., I asked if there was a place I could sit that did not have a TV set nearby. The Amtrak employee asked why I would want to sit anywhere without a TV set. When I said I wanted to read a book, she looked at me as though I had said something very peculiar. I think there are many of us who share your irritation at waiting and being forced to watch TV as well. I think it’s great that you didn’t put up with it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen M, thank goodness our grocery chain (my HEB) doesn’t have TVs at the check out. They have them in all of the isles, making it a little tight to get through. I guess they figure you’re not going to buy one if you’re already at the check out without a TV in your cart.
As for someone wondering why you would read >>> What a sad state of mind!
Joan in VA says
A TV in the waiting room is one thing, but my dentist has topped that. He has flat screen TVs in the waiting room and every examination room. It makes me crazy!! I’m shopping for a new dentist – one that takes my insurance.
Waiting for the doctor is a not fun experience no matter what. I have one doctor, that I keep because endocrinologists that take Medicare are few and far between, that has yet to be even semi-on time. The usual wait on appointment day is about 2 hours. No, they aren’t emergencies, but when you talk to her, she listens to every word and discusses it. It is good doctoring, but she needs to schedule according to how she doctors.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joan in VA, that’s exactly what I mean. It would be different if your endocrinologist was a surgeon and had an occasional emergency. Well, at least your doctor takes the time to listen to you when you finally get in.
reginav says
I positively hate watching television in the doctor’s waiting room. The magazines are usually the pits. One of my doctor’s does have “People”, wouldn’t you know, he is always on time. The worst experience I had was when my son was three months old. He had to see an eye specialist frequently. I would schedule an 8:00 AM appointment, thinking we would be the first one of the day. No the office would have four other appointments for that time and the doctor did not arrive until 9:30. Sometime I would have wait 2 hours with a screaming three month old, popping bottles and walking around the office to try to calm him down while the people waiting would glare at me. I had no choice but to stay. I cannot forget the frustration of those days.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, your son’s opthamologist reminded me of when I used to take my daughter to see a specialist on a regular basis. When we were in the waiting room with a bunch of other people, we could see her arriving and going in the back door at least an hour after her daily scheduled appointments began. If you were lucky enough to be in one of the examining rooms, she would always come by and say she was sorry she was late. She never had any make-up on when she arrived at work or when she went around to the examining rooms to apologize for the wait. We would continue to wait, wait, and then wait some more before she would finally come into the examining room for the appointment, wearing all of her make-up. That would just grate on me! Not only would she always be at least an hour late to her office, but then she would put her make-up on while all of her patients waited.
Suzanne M says
We had a Dr. like that and when she kept me waiting for over 2 hrs. and then I found out she was doing church business, we switched to a doctor closer to us (5 min. by car, 25 min. walk) and we love her. We are always called in to exam room on time if not earlier than scheduled, it seems we have as much time as needed for appointments, and here’s a first, my doctor was about 5 min. late to see me and she apologized for keeping me waiting. We had gone to our previous dr. for about 20 yrs. and I was worried about changing, but it was the best thing I ever did. Now I only go twice a year instead of every 2-3 months and my husband just has his yearly physical. She is a teaching doctor at our hospital and my husband’s heart surgeon is at the same hospital and is the same way with appointments. Sometimes change is hard, but it is the best thing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne M, wow did you and your husband lucked out! It sounds like your doctor not making everyone come back every 2-3 months gives her more time to spend with each patient, instead of having an inordinate number of people in the waiting room who really don’t need to see her that more than once or twice a year.
Julia says
Double and triple booking of doctors has really gotten out of hand. I broke my foot about 10 years ago – a situation which required semi-weekly visits to the orthopedist for a couple of months. I would be at the doctor’s office on time (or a little early), wait, on average, an hour and a half, and then see the doctor for roughly 5 minutes. He would ask me how “we” were doing, I told him he was supposed to tell me that, then he’d pat my foot, take a quick glance at my latest x-ray and say ‘see you in two week’s.’ And for that I paid my co-pay every time.
My cats’ vet, I might add, only charges for the initial visit if one of my cats needs surgery or stitches – all follow-up visits are just that – him following up on his own work, and thus not billed. Would that medical doctors had the same ehtics as veterinarians.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, the old how are “we” doing routine. I always feel so patronized when someone says that to me. That, on top of a ninety minute wait would rile me up. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t complain to the doctor, instead I would complain and complain to my husband.
Incidentally, I love your vet’s idea of a follow up visit. I had never thought of it that way, but it makes sense to say he is following up on his own work. Love it!
Marja says
Ohhh, this is a rant that struck right to my heart. Danna, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve brought a book to a waiting room only to be distracted by the television.
Because I am easily visually distracted, the flashing and colors take my attention away from my reading. I am often able to “screen out” noise, thank God, but the visual distraction is inescapable for me. I find myself at lunch with friends, staring not at them, but at the damnable inevitable wall-screen TV across the room! I have to consciously pull my attention back to my friend! It feels extremely rude on the restaurants’ part, not to mention rude on my part.
This is the age of distraction. People cannot be left alone with their own thoughts. Many, apparently, are not used to *thinking* but expect constant entertainment. Or are bombarded with it and are used to it, willingly submitting to the “programming.”
I find most news channels offensive in their inanity or falsehood, and I find most “hold music” on the telephone just terrible in the sound quality and often the selection of music. I think if companies called their own phone lines and got a taste of what they’re putting out there, they might reconsider. Equally offensive is the “captive sales” tactic, in which they use your hold time to advertise their services. I don’t mind helpful information, but sales is really beyond the pale.
I am 100% with you on the sound issue, Danna, and I also recommend sitting out of visual range. The problem at my clinic is that often, in the waiting room, there are TWO televisions, one at each end, so it’s nearly inescapable. And the “policy” not to turn off the TV is widespread. At the Veterans Administration clinics they have to keep the TV tuned to a “neutral” station to prevent physical fights on the part of the patrons. I recently got into an argument with a fellow veteran because I requested the channel be changed from **X news to a neutral channel – changed from what a fellow veteran called “real” news. A notion I promptly tried to disabuse him of …. at least we didn’t get into a physical altercation!
Music in the background at a restaurant is fine, as long as it permits conversation, but the trend now seems to be toward louder music, and reflective surfaces in restaurants to give the impression of a crowd [because the sound of conversation reverberates]. As a musical performer myself, I think the “backgrounding” of music is somewhat offensive, but enjoy the “soundtrack” in some restaurants.
As for wait times in doctors’ offices, I dread the day I go from VA care to Medicare, but like you, Danna, I may just vote with my feet. And like the lady above who spoke up on behalf of the folks waiting three hours and more, I tend to do the same. The offenses toward individuals on the part of these offices is unconscionable and is close to the edge of maltreatment.
Patients nowadays feel victimized enough without this. I think many doctors feel equally victimized by the “through-put” time they are allowed per patient [I have seen the figure 15 minutes], which does not permit the doctor to seek further information nor allow the patient to become comfortable enough during the consultation to communicate further, more sensitive, concerns. I believe the 15-minute time is allotted by insurance agencies and Medicare, which is simply unfair to either doctor or patient.
It’s not a rant, Danna, it’s a legitimate complaint, and too many Americans have the same! Thanks for venting and allowing us all to vent!
O for the ability to read a good mystery while waiting … for anything in public, these days.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my gosh, Marja, you have the opposite of what I have! My husband, however, suffers from a little of what you have.
One of our favorite restaurants added a big screen TV to their rather small dining area. They leave the volume off, but have the hearing impaired option of the banner at the bottom of the screen with all of the words. We stopped going to this restaurant (because my husband found it very distracting) until we figured out that he was OK as long as his back faces the TV.
I simply do NOT understand why restaurants are now feeling they have to have TVs in them. I can understand it with sports bars having them, but REALLY, do “regular” restaurants need them?!?
I saw that the FCC is considering allowing people to use their cell phones on flights over 10,000 feet in the air. That’s just what everyone wants! Someone sitting next to them who is shouting into their cell phone. (Has anyone else noticed how loud some people are on their cell phones? Maybe that should be my next rant!)
PamB says
Now that doctors are keying info into their computers in the exam room I find they don’t even look you in the eye anymore…just too busy typing, then tell you come back in 3 months and then when you come back in 3 months they ask…what are you here today for?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, I HATE that!!! I sometimes wonder if they actually graduated from medical school. I find it disconcerting when they tell you about something like how medications interact with each other – after they have been typing a lot. I wonder if they’re just finding out about something they should have known from their time in medical school…
Joan in VA says
My doctor used to do that (he recently retired). He told me it was because there are so many different medicines out there now and that the interactions indicators differ with each combination of drugs. IE If you were taking one drug for high blood pressure, another for high cholesterol, and Advil just because … it the interactions could be different that if you were taking the same drug for hbp and a different for high cholesterol and Tylenol. I’m pretty happy he used the little device to check out those interactions.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joan in VA, I guess I just prefer that my doctors know which drugs don’t interact well, rather than have to rely on a computer program to know. Also, I expect my pharmacy to know what medicines don’t belong together, and would hope a warning of some type pops up before they fill my prescriptions.
Joan in VA says
Yeah, your pharmacy is probably the place for a doctor to do his job … our local pharmacy filled a prescription for my friend … they filled it with penicillin, which was not what doctor ordered because he knew she as violently allergic, but what they figured she should have. so, yeah, the pharmacy is a great place to trust. Sorry, I like my doctors to be hands on … even if those hands are on the computer . . .
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joan in VA, that is a really scary story about your local pharmacy! That really is awful. I wonder if the pharmacist who “figured she should have” penicillin isn’t self-medicating…
Loralee says
I once had to ask the receptionist to turn the tv off. I was waiting for my daughter, who was 10 or 11 at the time, for her appointment. The tv was on a news channel and they were showing a trial for a grisly rape/murder and discussing the crime in great detail. It was awful and not something I wanted my daughter to hear. No tv in the waiting rooms would be fine with me!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Loralee, thank goodness you caught it quickly enough. I did that one time while I was waiting at the radiologists. IT happened right after the last terrorist attack in London. I didn’t wait until a mother finally noticed that it might not be suitable for her children to see.
Jackie J. Griffey says
Girls, I sympathize. I’m no longer at the mercy of old re-runs and a lot of other stuff. My hearing is not as sharp as it was and I think some taste buds have gone south too LOL. Anyway, being one of those people who always sees the bottle as half full or maybe the optimistic tourist who fell off the Empire State bldg and yelled in each window “all right so far!” I view the slight loss as a plus. No one who knows me or is in my writing group gets his feelings hurt if I ignore nosy questions so I make the most of it. 😎 I just ignore the reruns at the doctor’s office( and I’m all right so far!)
Sympathy and cyber hugs,
Jackie
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, my mother’s boyfriend did the same thing. I sometime wondered if he really wasn’t catching everything she said to him, or if sometimes he just didn’t feel like responding.
Sally says
I hate having to wait to see a doctor and when it comes to TV my biggest complaint is listening to a 24 hour news channel with a political orientation that is against everything I believe in.
I have the one hour rule. I always take a book and leave after one hour. I tell the reception desk if they are running behind to let me know and I will come back in an hour. If I wait more than one hour I leave,
with one exception. My surgeon. He has spent up to an hour with me, showing me the exrays, the MRIs, talking about my options and what can and cannot be done. He will answer any and all questions I have. I know he drives his office staff crazy because he is always so far behind but he is young, energetic and really cares. I am lucky to have him and know if I am getting that much attention so are his other patients. I do, however, try to get the first appointment in the morning. – Sally
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sally, your surgeon sounds like a dream! When I see specialists, I always get the impression that they make up time with me… sort of rush me out of there.
Moonlight says
Well, I got into a cab earlier this year and it had a tv hanging off the back seat. I asked the driver how to turn it off. I was doing an assignment in the city and would end up in a cab several times a week. They all had tv’s. Very annoying. Other places I have had to endure unwanted tv: while pumping gas and while standing in line at the grocery store. I am grateful for a moment of peace and quiet.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Now that is really too much, Moonlight! A taxi cab with a television constantly on. Sounds like the driver wanted to listen in on the shows.
Mel says
When I was a kid our doctor had fish tanks in the waiting room.We were so absorbed watching the fish, the time flew.
Ah,those were the days………
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh, Mel, you brought back some memories to me. I also remember restaurants that had fish tanks at the door. Yep, those were the days!
Susan says
Almost every Thai restaurant I’ve ever been to has fish tanks like those you describe. My older granddaughter spent the first three years of her life watching those fish glide. Soon after she was born her parents took her to their favorite Thai restaurant and chose a table as close as possible to the tanks. They positioned her baby seat/carrier so that she was facing the tank. She was so young then I don’t even know if she could really focus yet but she seemed to be watching the fish with rapt attention — until, and who wouldn’t have guess this? — she fell asleep.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I wish my husband liked Thai food. Maybe I can entice him to go to one with the promise of déjà vu fish tanks! What a great idea to keep a young baby happy throughout a restaurant meal! Maybe every restaurant should go that route…
Joan in VA says
What to you mean used to have …. our local Chinese restaurant still has the fish tanks, and the original fish have almost outgrown the tanks.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joan in VA, oh my gosh, as soon as I read your comment I thought about those Koi fish who outgrow their ponds…
marion says
I don’t blame you a bit. In fact, good for you for being so assertive. Provoking as h***!