Most surgeries the world over, have the perfect acoustics for embarrassment.
Sitting in a doctor's waiting room is already an act of courage. Politely avoiding a violent cough to your left and a few sneezes to your right requires tact and dexterity. Throw in cold weather, and the plot thickens. Oh yes, the heaters are on and the doors closed. One can almost hear the various germs having a party and mingling!
But, before you can join that waiting party, you need to announce yourself. Why is it, that the reception is usually very close to the seating area and has an open wall / window for that inevitable round of embarrassing conversation.
The lucky ones, who have a sniffle or so, can proclaim it on the top of their voice. We can all see it anyway by the red nose and eyes! But, imagine, if you have to announce your visit with a slightly more embarrassing problem.
Who hasn't worked up the courage to step in front of the reception window? Who hasn't rehearsed what to say and tried to block out the rest of the waiting room by standing broadly in front of that little open space? Who hasn't tried to mumble their way through and been rewarded with a reply of....
..." Sorry, I didn't hear what you said. Why do you need to see the doctor? " Of course those exchanges make a welcome relief for all those waiting and bored patients. They almost noticeably lean forward, so as not to miss out. Once you join the waiting bench and no one makes eye contact, you know that they overheard!
Those silent gestures we desperately use in an effort to not be overheard, need to be done several times to take effect. Have you done any of the following:
- rolled your eyes in the direction of your problem
- nodded your head either forward or backward
- or looked like a Blow fish by mouthing a silent explanation of it.
...only to be told by a very relieved, triumphant and too ' loud of voice ' receptionist," Oh, you mean you have a problem with....! "
Oh dear, the best laid plans and all that!
Biggi
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