The Waiting Room

If there is anything we hate as a society, it is to wait.  We seem to spend a disproportionate amount of time these days in physicians' waiting rooms.  While recently doing just that,  I grew tired of texting, answering emails and flipping through out of date magazines.  So, I began to observe the people around me. 

The first thing that came to mind is waiting rooms have changed over the years due, in part, to advances in modern technology; specifically personal communication devices.  Technology has transformed our behavior.  We now have a legitimate excuse not to engage in conversation with one another. I hate to admit, that may not be all bad, as I have been guilty of not wanting to engage in small talk with strangers while waiting in my doctor's office, especially if I am not feeling well; thus the reason for being in a doctor’s office in the first place.

Before the days of the Blackberry, IPhone, laptop and wifi, we buried our heads in a magazine to avoid communication and prayed no one would begin the epistle of their life, or even worse, the reason for their visit to the doctor down to the minute detail; no matter how gory or inappropriate.

Look around next time you find yourself in a waiting room.  The only persons not using personal devices seem to be the elderly.  Going to the doctor is their “outing” or social event for the day, and they are more than happy to talk to you; tell you about their life, health history and what condition they are being treated on that particular visit.  But that’s o.k. with me, as I have a soft spot in my heart for the elderly and am more than happy to listen if they choose to engage in conversation. 

What I’m not prepared to tolerate is the rudeness and lack of manners associated with the use of personal communication devices in the waiting room by adults who should know better. Take for instance the man sitting to my left in the business suit… he has been talking loudly on his IPhone for the last 15 minutes, as if we all are interested in his conversation.  I guess we are supposed to be impressed as he barks out orders to the person on the receiving end as if to say, look and listen to how important I am.  I assume it's a validation of his self worth, of sorts.  The only thing that is making an impression on me at the moment, is his rudeness.

Next, you have the young soccer mom sitting in the opposite corner talking on her mobile phone; unscathed as her two young children reek havoc throughout the waiting room while she talks on and on and on about absolutely nothing of any substance whatsoever.

Sitting on the opposite side is the snoozer.  Yes, there’s always the poor soul who has fallen asleep,  and begins to snore and snort. Actually, these folks are less menacing; causing no harm to the masses, just an embarrassment to themselves.

Next to me is the complainer. We all have spent time with them.  They take a poll of each and every person who was there when they arrived; asking them their appointment time and how long they have been waiting. This unofficial poll is usually followed by a trip to the receptionist’s window to ask how much longer is the wait because they have to beat the lunch crowd at the nearest Applebees.

Then you have the person who appears to be somewhere out there in lala land, and it takes the nurse calling their name at least three times to shock them back into reality. This has always amazed me to no end.  I can't understand this phenomena.  What stage of oblivion are these folks  in that they cannot recognize their own name being called three times? I don’t know about you, but my ears usually perk up, immediately, when I hear mine.

Finally, you have those suffering from Iatrophobia; the fear of doctors. You can see it in their eyes. You know their anxiety level is so high, there's no way they will engage in any degree of chit chat with anyone.

Next time you find yourself waiting, take a look around. Where are you in the mix?