Originally Posted by blueash (Post 1415033)

Was reading elsewhere and found this line, which seems to apply to the thread

One of the greatest joys of adult life is quietly disapproving of someone else’s choices while simultaneously congratulating oneself on exhibiting restraint.

Of course the fact that I'm commenting would suggest I too am missing that great joy. Hmm, a paradox.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1415004)

And now 2 cents from the other side of the counter:

I don't need or want patients in the waiting room getting involved with other patients at the window. We had a post and sign for those waiting at the counter to stay back. There are very strict HIPPA privacy laws with huge penalties if a provider does not take certain minimum steps to ensure privacy. While "I'm late" is not covered by HIPPA, you never know what else could be said and construed as a violation.

My receptionists were professionals, very well trained and knew how to handle almost every situation, up to and including an armed intruder, a bomb threat, and a hostage situation. They did not need any help from the "peanut gallery". A rude patient???? Happened 5x a day, and our providers ran within 10 minutes of the scheduled appointment 95% of the time. Last thing we needed was amateur involvement inflaming the situation or violating HIPPA.

Originally Posted by Wiotte (Post 1414971)

I was taught to hold my tongue if I don't know all the circumstances. No one knows what the late lady might have been going through in her life.

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1414943)

Let me be clear my comments are not directly directed at the OP but the actions taken by the OP.

Once again "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation" explain the error. The OP was not a party to this business discussion.

We are all different and in this specific situation reticence by the OP was required because all the OP did was add fuel to this fire.

One poster describes the OP as "always being...." I would like to believe that I am "always.... but that is an absolute and thus not humanly possible "generally"perhaps but not "always".

This poster also identified the OP as a retired RN and that explains the OP response the Op was in essence defending the medical community and hence defending his/herself. The type of facility was of no consequence because the issue was a missed appointment

In some medical offices a missed appointment means being charged the cost of the appointment.

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1414943)

Let me be clear my comments are not directly directed at the OP but the actions taken by the OP.

Once again "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation" explain the error. The OP was not a party to this business discussion.

We are all different and in this specific situation reticence by the OP was required because all the OP did was add fuel to this fire.

One poster describes the OP as "always being...." I would like to believe that I am "always.... but that is an absolute and thus not humanly possible "generally"perhaps but not "always".

This poster also identified the OP as a retired RN and that explains the OP response the Op was in essence defending the medical community and hence defending his/herself. The type of facility was of no consequence because the issue was a missed appointment

In some medical offices a missed appointment means being charged the cost of the appointment.

Originally Posted by dillywho (Post 1415086)

I was at the other window, right next to her waiting to get my husband's ID and insurance card returned so was in no way "crowding" her. (They scan them each time we go.)

I guess one of the things that prompted me to speak up is that I am so sick and tired of the me, me, me first mentality that seems to abound these days. Her holier-than-thou attitude towards everyone was what really got me going. She offered no explanation or, at the very least, an apology for being late, but simply began berating the staff for not just running her right in. It was as if they should be GRATEFUL that she bothered to show up at all.

Most times, I too, would not say anything.

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim (Post 1414847)

Was the person in question someone you know ? Or just from NYC ? Or both ?

Originally Posted by dillywho (Post 1415088)

And nobody, including her, knows what the other patients who were on time were going through, either.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1415105)

There is no question that I agree with everything you were THINKING, especially the me, me, me attitude of many. My point was that actually SAYING it could have a neutral outcome at best, and a significant confrontation at worst. There was a (theoretically) professional and experienced professional there handling it, it just doesn't make sense to get involved. After all, if there is a rabid raccoon in your garage, do you try to capture it when an animal control officer is standing right next to you?

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 1415166)

Rabid raccoon might be pushing it. Maybe a half-boiled lobster that got out of its pot. :)

There are people you should avoid confrontation with now and they could look like anyone in this stressful time. I have a milquetoast personality most of the time, for instance. Caspar Milquetoast - Wikipedia But even milquetoasts have a limit.

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 1415166)

Rabid raccoon might be pushing it. Maybe a half-boiled lobster that got out of its pot. :)

There are people you should avoid confrontation with now and they could look like anyone in this stressful time. I have a milquetoast personality most of the time, for instance. Caspar Milquetoast - Wikipedia But even milquetoasts have a limit.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1414947)

Perhaps not" always". My affection and admiration for this woman made me emotionally defensive.

I notice that my age has caused me to be more outspoken than I used to be.

I am surprised Dilly spoke out, but she did and to me and how I was raised,she was right. Sometimes being silent isn't the right thing to do.

I have rarely shared my views on politics except with my family and close friends, nor even had passionate views on world affairs until this last decade of my life. It could be part of our human development that as we age we speak up on things that we had not previously.

I have defended you many times on the political forum Rubicon, because I have read your posts for many years. This one is true to you and doesn't surprise me. We are who we are and don't have a whole lot of time left to be here and to speak up.