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.
You handled that so well!! I hope I would too…it’s hard though when people are so incredibly rude and you’re worried on top of it. Go Theta Mom!!
Oh this was just so frustrating to read… and it did not even happen to me. I think I might not have been able to act so civil considering the amount of anxiety I would have been feeling about being there in the first place. You did a fantastic job of dealing with someone that obviously had it in for you from the start. Shame on her and good job standing your ground. I too feel like a phone call to upper management is in order. Who knows how many other people have been turned away or treated unfairly and it gone unnoticed?
First, I hope you daughter is OK. Secondly, I had an experience with a local bookstore where I wanted to sell my book. When I told her I’d just published a book this is what I got….instead of the typical response, “Wow that’s great! congrats!” I got “Well, we don’t sell things like that around here.” (It’s mostly used books) I said, “Well, I noticed you had some new books towards the front.” She said, “Those are only here because customers requested them.” I was stunned. I rarely run into rudeness, esp. surprising because she looked like someone’s grandma. As you can imagine, she was very hestitant to give me the owner’s business card. Now I need to take the step to call the owner. Difficult for me to do!!
Why are people in Dr’s offices SO crabby! They think they rule the world or something! Glad you stood your ground and your fussypants is doing well.
We have a nurse like this at our ped’s office. I absolutely LOVE my doctor, so this nasty woman could never drive me away – but it has gotten close. Seriously, she was rude, blamed me for the pain my daughter felt when receiving a shot, and even has gone as far to demean my daughter for not being able to read the eye chart. All it took was one well timed comment in front of both her and the doctor to get her in check. “Dr. X, could you please give me your email address? I have a lot of comments about this visit that I would like to share with you.” Yeah, now that nurse is all rainbows and flowers every time we show up. 😉
Good for you for sticking up for yourself. High five, momma!
No way!!!! OH-MY-GOSH! Wow. . .”snarky” was a nice word for that woman
I remember last summer (when Logan was around 14 months) I was somewhere that had signs all over the place saying “no food or drink” but Logan was starting to act whiny so I got out a snack and drink for him. I saw the employees look at me and I thought “certainly babies/toddlers are an exception, right?!” They didn’t say anything but after reading this now I know that apparently they AREN’T if the people who work there are having a bad day or don’t understand babies/toddlers.
Anyway, I’m glad that your daughter is all right! And thank you for the nice comment yesterday!
Oh what a rude woman! Hope your lil lady is ok. x
Okay, that angers me to even read it, and I would probably be giving her supervisor a call as soon as the situation with my daughter calmed down. I can’t believe that. I understand we should all try to remember that we don’t know what others are dealing with, but it sounds like she was almost picking on you! And good for you for speaking up! Great quick thinking!
Heather, you handled that like a real mama! Putting Mrs. Snotty Pants in her palace, I mean place,2x is well done girl!! (so glad your dd is OK)
Glad your daughter is doing well. Good for you for standing up to that woman!!!
I am glad to hear that your daughter is doing well. I bet that was a scary moment for you. Sounds like snarky women doesn’t like her job, or her live to well these days..Her loss though right? Good for you sticking up for yourself though. I think I would have left the puffs on the floor for her to clean up as well.
Frugal Vicki – I actually have encountered this situation (not just in this office) numerous times…it’s not worth me following up. I feel better blogging about it though!
Shannon – You know, I totally thought of doing that, but thought that would be stooping to her snarky level. When all was said and done, I cleaned up the few that had fallen to the floor.
Happy to hear the report on your daughter came out well.
You did very well, holding yourself in check, and not giving her the satisfaction of having you create a scene. And props on cleaning up the puffs…Even in anger, it is good to remain respectful of those around you. PROPS to you for remaining classy and respectful!
So happy to hear your little one is okay. I cannot stand rudeness. I think you handled it very well.
I always run into workers who are like that in their jobs and
wonder why they chose to even come to work with such a
negative behavior. I’m so glad that you stood your ground
and gave her a piece of your mind. I would’ve done the
same thing too. Glad to see that your princess is doing well:)
Happy Friday!
Oh Hon… that’s just awful that you had to go through that. What is wrong with people?? I was getting mad just reading about it.
I think you handled it perfectly!
And sooo glad to hear your little one is okay 😉
((hugs)) to both of you!!
Wow!!! Some people are so rude and mean. Good for you to stand up to her as it isn’t easy doing so. Thank goodness your little girl is okay. I can’t imagine how you were feeling no knowing what was going on.
Seriously some people are so rude. I’m very sorry if you aren’t happy with your job but no need to take it out on those around you. I think that you handled yourself amazingly.
Yikes! That’s no fun-ESPECIALLY with a toddler who is hungry! Some people just don’t get it-and then there’s some that just like to pull the power trip to make them feel bigger. Good to know your daughter is ok-phew!
Ladies – Thank you for the well wishes for my baby girl. And yes, it’s nice to know I am not the only one that this has ever happened to! Helps to blog about it, for sure!
I’m glad your daughter is okay. What a scare to need x-rays right away!
Great answer to the receptionist. Once, when I was pregnant with my first boy and having severe morning sickness, I was on public transportation and eating a cracker to keep from vomiting. An old lady looked at me and nearly shouted, “You’re not supposed to eat on the train!”
I answered, “I either eat this cracker or I throw up.” She didn’t bother me again.
Some people are so rude! I think you handled it beautifully!
Good for you for standing up for yourself and your daughter. I never understand why people in that position are so rude and almighty – they often need to be put in their place. I bow to you.
I think you are wonderful! The she-devil needed your response, and so did the other adults in that room, who undoubtedly had felt the brunt of the s-d’s bad humor themselves. Believe me, they all silently laughed and applauded.
Perhaps in other circumstances (e.g., home with family) the s-d is less toxic. But she hates her job and is taking it out on all she encounters while there. She should not be dealing with the public. She should quit, for her own sake as well as others’. So why doesn’t she? Rhetorical question, no response needed or expected.
I’m so sorry you had to endure this while you were already super-stressed over your daughter. Please post how she is doing. BTW, you’re now one of my heroes!
I can’t believe that woman! Oh, I so feel your pain. I have been there. I am a mom of three.
Once when my son was rushed by ambulance to the emergency room for unexplained seizures and a near deadly drop in blood sugar, I had a similar health professional experience. We were finally admitted overnight in the hospital. When we got to our bed, we were scared because we still didn’t know if my son would be ok ( he was only 19 months old) the VERY FIRST thing out of the nurses mouth was “I hope you don’t expect anyone here to be caring for your son, someone will have to be with him at all times. And Don’t anyone sit on that other bed!” My mouth hung open. How uncareing about our son who was so sick to immediately give us a lecture. A kinder gentler approach would have been better.
I personally love the way you handled it. I hope she has a office manager who has been made aware of her “attitude”! She certainly needs it adjusted, or perhaps a new profession.
Kari – I couldn’t agree more. The fact that I was waiting for x-rays and not an ice-cream cone added to my stress level – it was the uncertainty of it all, so to have to deal with someone else’s attitude wasn’t the ideal situation.
Why are so many doctor’s office receptionists the most horrible people to deal with? You’re there because there’s something wrong (usually), why on earth would someone want to make you feel worse?
Our pediatrician’s office is the same. Some of the support staff are just nasty….they also don’t allow food or drink in their waiting room. Heh…try and stop me from feeding my daughter 😀
Ughh, I would have done the same thing. Or I would have asked how she suggested I keep her occupied. Ay yi yi. Some people are so clueless and just plain rude! I’m glad all worked out okay in the end (and I hope you intentionally crushed a couple puffs in the carpet 😉 )
Seriously, I have experienced some “snarky” office staff in the past too….ugh! I think there has to be some serious customer service training required to work at a front desk at any sort of office…..seriously! I hope your daughter is okay and that all turns out fine!
I have an award waiting for you on my blog:) Hope that brightens your day:)
Holy BALLS! That is so frustrating!
I don’t have kids yet, but if I was in a room with a screaming child, I would most definitely want the child to have whatever it needs. And I would be willing to let the child go ahead of me in line. I know what my sister goes through in these situations and it sucks. Good job on standing up to snarky witch.
I would have had a smackdown moment on that bitch.
Yankee Girl – I love that you just wrote Holy BALLS right now! lol
YAY for you saying something! And I’m glad to hear she’s okay, what a scare!
Wow!
I am so glad you said something! that is one of those things where i would have thought to say that later… and been frustrated for not saying it then… I always do that. =)
How rude!
And what a scary doctor’s appointment! I’m glad your daughter is doing ok.
I’m glad to hear your daughter’s OK. That’s a relief, I’m sure. And good for your for standing up to her! I know the saying goes, “kill them with kindness” but I’d rather call them out on their rudeness instead!
I am so OVER the bitchy-ass attitudes people have in doctor’s offices. not only does health care suck in this country, they’re basically just blantant from the get-go with the f*** u attitude.
Puffs have saved the day for me on so many occassions – what the hell are they putting in them? Baby crack? Because my son only quit asking for them about a year ago. He’s 6 1/2 now.
What I can never figure out is why people who obviously do not contain the social skills necessary for interacting with other people take on these types of jobs. Especially when you are working in a medical office. Where is the compassion? Every person walking through the door is going to be scared, worried, anxious or worse. I just don’t get it. Good to her your little cutie is OK.
Existential Waitress – Those Puffs have saved me many a day, too. You may be onto something b/c my son loved them and she loves them like crazy, too!
And Kanes Mom – I don’t get it either. It’s nice to hear I’m not alone!
Hopefully she took your comment as a “smack in the back of the head” wakeup call! Next time bring a tuna sandwich…hehe, jk
How rude! Love how you handled it! hope your baby girl is better.
My daughter told me when she takes the baby to the dr.office,the receptionist scares her and is extrememly rude,I told her to tell the receptionist “if you don’t like your job maybe you shouldnt be working here,cause its us,the customers, who help pay your SALARY!”
Way to go! I love when people aren’t afraid to speak their mind. Good job lady!
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Cher
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My daughter is now 25 so its been a while but I haven’t forgotten. LOL. There are those old grumpy nurse types in every walk of life.
I would have changed my kid’s dirty diaper and taken it up there and say, “This smells like your attitude so I thought I’d give it to you.” ha ha… WAY TO GO for you to handle it like that! What a WITCH (with a capital B)
Holy crap, I hate people like that! Good for you for responding back.
1st I’m glad your little one is ok
2nd You Go Girl! i hate crabby people. If you hate your job/situation so much make a change that will make you happy, don’t take it out on other people.
Wow. How frustrating! Glad you stood up to that lady. People have no compassion these days.
Girl, I’ve been there, done that, and got three t-shirts. My situation was a little different though. My son was crying so bad that they moved me ahead on the list and got me out of there pretty quickly. That was a blessing because I was three seconds away from an absolute meltdown myself.
Motherhood is an adventure isn’t it? Glad your daughter is okay!
Tonya – Got three t-shirts, lol! I know what you mean, it IS an adventure and these are the times when anxiety and stress are already more than enough to deal with in this situation…
What a story! I had a very similar occurance at my son’s eye doctor. And it was during a panic moment too where we were told he was losing his eyesight. These people pick the wrong time to mess with mommies don’t they??? Good for you! Sometimes I don’t have the guts.
People always make fun of my huge purse and if they look in it at all the crap in there. But I refuse, downright refuse to clean it out. The bag of crushed pretzels, the mini police car, the tickle me elmo mini keychain, the chew ring, and the juice box that is near turning into dust have saved my life, and will continue to save my life for many years. In fact, my sister says that when she has my older son he looks in her bag and yells with confusion and anger (Temple Grandin style, in case anyone saw that movie) “where are the pretzels!?!” “where is my car!?!” “where are the juice boxes!?!”