I packed a diaper bag for my baby girl with some wipes, a bottle, and the usual business for a check-up at the pediatrician’s office for a routine visit. It was supposed to be a routine visit. Little did I know I would soon be handed a script to get x-rays.
STAT.
In somewhat of a panic, I grabbed my daughter and rushed off to see the Radiologist. Entering the doorway with my extra large diaper bag, hat, gloves and the whole bit, I finally reached the counter with the weight of my daughter in my arms. A woman sat behind the counter peering beneath her dark charcoal frames while waiting for me to provide opening remarks. I began, “Hi. I’m here to get x-rays for my daughter.”
In a snarky tone she asked, “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I just came from the pediatrician’s office and they told me you make room for emergency situations and she is to be seen today.”
While snapping the end of a pen cap and tilting her head to the side she responded with, “We don’t accept walk-ins.”
Getting a bit annoyed I answered, “Ok, well maybe you would like to give them a call since I just came from there and that’s what I was told. My daughter needs to be seen…TODAY.”
Snarky woman pushed her arms away from the desk and rolled her chair backwards over to reach the phone. After a brief chat with the pediatrician’s office, she got up from her chair and collected some papers. Without a word, she grudgingly provided the necessary paperwork for me to fill out. Apparently, my daughter was going to be seen.
Already upset from not knowing what was going on with my daughter’s health, snarky woman’s attitude was the last thing I felt like dealing with. I took the paperwork, my anxious daughter and the 20 pounds of gear I had on and found a seat in the waiting room full of adults.
I quickly realized there weren’t any children’s books lying on the table. The walls were not painted a cheerful blue, red and yellow and there was not a toy to be found in that space. Anywhere. This was going to be a very long afternoon.
After sitting my daughter on my lap as I tried to get situated to begin the paperwork, sheer panic suddenly struck me. Considering this was what I thought to be a quick visit with the pediatrician at an office we knew very well, I was obviously not prepared. My daughter already drank her bottle and I did not have a lunch packed for her. To make things worse, there was not one small toy to be found in my bag.
So without toys in the office or substantial food in my bag, what’s a Theta Mom to do? When Miss Fussypants decided to cry out of boredom and hunger, I would have nothing to give her. And in an office full of adults, this certainly was not a pleasant situation. Luckily, through one more desperate attempt to find something in that bag, I located some Puffs. I broke them out as soon as my daughter became restless. Within moments of cracking open the Puffs, snarky woman stood up from behind the counter, opened the sliding glass window and popped her annoying head out.
“Excuse me…” she said as she glared directly at me. Pointing to a semi-ripped piece of paper hanging outside the glass window she added, “There’s no food or drink permitted.”
I couldn’t believe it. She was serious.
And I was seriously done.
I added, “Well basically, you have two options. You can either listen to my baby girl scream loud and uncontrollably for the next hour and watch me go insane OR we can all have peace and quiet while a few Puffs decorate the carpet. Take your pick.”
She didn’t move for a moment. I don’t think she expected me to react to her snarky behavior. That response immediately kept her quiet as she slowly closed the glass window.
And for the record, I chose the latter.
Indefinitely.
***And I know many of my bloggy friends would want to know the outcome of my daughter upon reading this post. She is doing well. It’s just so amazing to me how others seem to forget what it’s like to have children.
Oh honey, it’s all about the control and the power. She probably has NONE at home so she tries to get some at work. Why they let people like that speak to the public is beyond me. Glad it all turned out well for you – and glad you had the Puffs! ♥
I’m so glad to hear she is doing well.
When you get a chance, please stop by. I have something for you!
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Heather, I am glad she is ok. There are miserable people who will never know how to be empathetic to others. ever.
so glad you guys are well.
Kiran
Stopping by to say hello with Friday Follow. Hope you have had a fantastic weekend.
Felissa
Please stop by my new blog and say hello
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I cannot stand it when I go to an office like that! Ridiculous! How do they even get the job at the front? GOOD for you Heather for setting her straight:) I had to laugh!
I am so glad to hear she is doing well!!!!
Hi there! Thanks for visiting my blog, and for stumbling and following (blushes).
I wrote a post recently called Moms – Be Nice To Other Moms! about a woman in my pediatricians waiting room who was awful. What is up with people who do this when someone is clearly struggling with a small child?
In your case. I think you should call the administrator of the hospital and tell them that if they don’t want business from moms and kids, they need to make that clear to your pediatricians office. I bet Miss Snarky won’t like a visit from Mr or Mrs Big Wig…
Good for you! You had enough to worry about with someone’s nasty attitude. Why is that woman in that position? I’ll try to think nicely of her and hope that it was just a bad day but it seems that I come across people like that more often than I should.
I’m glad your daughter is well. I remember taking my daughter in to the pediatrician with a cough and finding myself taking her for emergency chest x-rays for pneumonia. That is terribly frightening. You need supportive people around you.
I was getting so frustrated reading your post. I hate people like that. Come on we all have bad days but you are representing that doctors office. Sorry you had to go through that. I am not a huge confrontational person but when it comes to my kids, I have no choice but to speak up. You should have stomped on the dropped puffs on the way out.
I hope your daughter is ok.
Wow, can she do that to a child? Well I am glad everything went well. I am new to this blog which was recommended by Krista on POM. Happy Monday, xxxMsBabyPlan
Some people really don’t like kids, and resent mothers. I am so often surprised when I notice this in people! I’m wondering if that lady is maybe related to the saleslady in the Dillard’s bathing suit department i Norfolk, Virginia. I love that you spoke up rather than just thinking abpout it like I do.
I have found too many times that there are some people who thrive on making other people miserable. They must be miserable themselves and as they say, misery loves company. As much as I always TRY to be the ADULT in these situations, I usually find myself getting back in their face… or crying. Especially in emotionally charged situations (as yours was), I just can’t keep it together. I’m very impressed with how you handled it!
Glad your daughter is ok and continues to be!
Ok, a receptionist’s job is to “receive” people, but this lady didn’t understand that this is part of her job description. I think I would have looked for her supervisor (after the appointment that is, just in case…)
So I thought Id come back to tell you that I thought of you this weekend when I was in The Museum of Natural History with my princess who apparently has the strength of the hulk and tore open a tupperware container filled with cheerios that went all over the floor of the show we were seeing. The woman next to me gave me the look of death– as if I had any idea she was going to (or even had the strength) to do that!
OMG! First off, I am relieved to hear that your daughter is alright.
Second, I think The Imperfect Wife said it best!
It’s all about power!!! Some people get drunk with power very easily and they forget what it’s like to be a descent human being! Just like a person who sits in their car when they know you are waiting for their parking space or someone taking their time when they KNOW you are in a rush.
Complicated Mama – That is something that would totally happen to me – and then you get the snarky looks back at you like you have done something intentionally. So annoying!
Snarky woman needs to be put in her place, good for you!! Glad your baby’s okay
I LOVE IT!! Nice work!
Hi Ms. Theta! thanks so much for stopping by my blog on my SITS day and helping to make it so special. I love a woman who can take charge of the situation in the face of snarkiness!
I’m glad she’s okay.
Your response was just PERFECT!
Is this a thing with radiology departments? Something similarly horrible happened to us at a scheduled appointment. When we arrived, they told me the time they gave me was arrival time, not the time of the procedure. WTF??? My daughter was a newborn and feeding every hour and a half and she couldn’t eat for two hours before the procedure so she was already hungry when we arrived. She was screaming. I was bawling. My mom had to hold her because every time I held her she would root around to nurse and then scream even worse. It was truly horrible. The only thing they could tell me was that I was lucky that it wasn’t busy that day because the wait could have been even longer. F’ing a’holes.
I am happy to hear she is ok.
Love the post and I can definitely relate. What has happen to all the personable people in the world?
What the hell is wrong with that woman?! I have to say that many times I’ve had an issue with reception at doctor’s offices. It really bothers me because most of the time you are going there when you are vulnerable. Care starts the second you walk in the door.
I am very proud of you for speaking up.
I’m glad your daughter is okay.
thats so rude of her! Way to go. Glad to hear your daughter is doing well.
Oh man , I worked in the medical field and oh how hate people who hate their job. I am rican and I lose it! I totally lose it! The one benefit for me was I was good friends with alot of doctors and they knew better. They really need to find a new job that doesn’t deal with people. LOL
I am glad she is ok.
I would have done the same thing, the only time when I tried the guy at the SSA told me that Ian could cry there was no food or drink.
LOL that is hilarious , so often people without kids don’t understand how hard it is! For example I usually work max 3 days a week , after working 5 days str8 since friday last week ( today being my first day off hence being MIA) The store I have been helping in DE!!
just added 2 !!! EXTRA days to my what would have been 2 day work week next week. Now I am working 4 days next week!!! SO mad about that! and of course the mgr in DE has no kids or desire for that matter !
On a brighter note thank God your baby girl is well!
Oh wow. I am glad she shut up! LOL! Also glad your baby girl is ok!!
Oh I hate snarky people, why the attitude, it is so not necessary. The world would be a lot more pleasant place if there wasn’t so many people with a rude attitude and with a lot more patience for others in it. Glad your daughter is OK!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Been Away on an Island =-.
Good for you–unbelievable how mean that receptionist was. Sorry you had such a bad experience there but am glad to hear your daughter is okay.
Congrats on your SITS day!
.-= Karen & Gerard Zemek´s last blog ..Another Computer Mystery–Why Is That? =-.
I think it’s some kind of unwritten rule that hospital receptionists have to be huge you-know-what’s to get the job!!! UGH! Hugs and I’m sorry you had to go through that, but BRAVO that you told her off!!
Happy SITS Day!
.-= Jeannie´s last blog ..A funny for Moms… =-.
Sometimes you have to put people in their place.
That lady definitely did not have kids. Otherwise she would never have messed with you.
.-= Heidi Walker´s last blog ..Toss This Baby! =-.
Some people seem to get “drunk” on their own perceived power, I guess.
.-= Kim @ Cheap Chic Home´s last blog ..Tablecloth Complete! =-.
Oh, I love your response. Snarky people irritate me.
.-= Virginia from Lady V dZine´s last blog ..Knotty Baby Wear Photo Contest at Jessica Loves to Save Money! =-.
What is it about doctor’s office receptionists? I think they’re all incredibly snarky. Glad you put her in her place! Happy Sits day!
.-= Date Girl´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday-Let Them Eat Cake =-.
I guess that put her in her place.
I feel incredibly lucky that the x-ray dept at our little hospital is friendly and not too backed up. I usually call ahead to see how big the lineup is, and they will tell me it’s not busy so come on down, or if it is busy they will book an appointment for later that day.
.-= Miz Dinah Gogina´s last blog ..Twi-hard With a Vengeance =-.
WOAH! I’m not sure I would have held my cool like you did! How did the other people in the waiting room respond? Did you mention anything to the doctor? That happens a lot where the front end lady gets high on power and is horrible to the patients–and the doctor never knows it!
Glad to hear your little on is ok. We had a recent series of scares ourself- not out of the woods yet, but the possible outcomes are much less horrific now that things are narrowed down a bit!
Happy SITS day!
.-= Better Than We Could Pray For´s last blog ..Lucy Stories =-.
Wow, been there even without a kid that snarky ‘tude is all around…Seriously, don’t you wish sometimes it was okay to slap, because they deserve it.
.-= Marie Cole´s last blog ..Sensomatic =-.
Wow. I am glad you put that lady in her place. I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to tell you that no food or drink was allowed. I honestly would have lost it and went off on the woman big time. As many times as I have spent in doctors offices, ER, X-Rays the last thing I want to deal with is smirky people or those who have a corn cob stuck up somewhere.
Glad your daughter is doing okay!
.-= Jennifer aka Potty Training Coach´s last blog ..Potty Training =-.
Done that been there. Those “no food / drinks” rules do not count when it comes to kids. Ever. No matter what snarky receptionist say, think or communicate in any other way.
.-= M For Mommy´s last blog ..25 Day Challenge – Day 22 =-.
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