I think someone got out of the wrong side of the bed

Our dental surgery has several young women working as receptionists and they're a strange lot. They don't seem to have the empathy or manners that people had in the past. They almost seem robotic. They all have extremely thick false eyelashes, which I find really odd to wear at work every day.

One day I had an extraction and came out feeling a bit faint as I was still bleeding. I stood in the corridor near the reception area holding my mouth, but no-one seemed to notice. It was as if they were all turned away and actually trying not to notice me. I could have done with someone just saying 'are you okay?' but it never happened.

I've worked in such environments back in the day and we would have stepped in to help any client or customer who looked a little lost or unwell.

I sometimes have to go into my bank branch and I know that if a particular women serves me she will not fail to be curt, roll her eyes at me and sigh. The local pharmacy employs a similar woman. Both establishments display the zero tolerance of rudeness sign.

The other day a bus driver told me off for not making eye contact with him when I tapped my bus pass. I had muttered 'thank you' but apparently that was not enough. Of course I smiled at him and apologised.

I’m not sure what the OP wanted the receptionist to say in the first place. Is there something wrong with asking if you’re exempt?

SueDonim

I’m not sure what the OP wanted the receptionist to say in the first place. Is there something wrong with asking if you’re exempt?

SueDonim……..I wasn’t objecting to the question at all. She asked was I exempt to which I replied, no. But she didn’t then ask me to pay - I thought I’d be paying as I left.
Then another patient arrived and paid, after she asked if he paid for treatment. This made me realise that the wires had been crossed and I approached the receptionist again and mention that she had asked if I was exempt. She didn’t ask me to pay at that point. Hope that makes this clearer.

Just to confirm, I wasn’t trying to avoid paying…….the receptionist was rather sharp to be honest and claimed I should have known what she was supposed to ask me!!!!

SueDonim I think the point was that the receptionist did not ask OP and the other patient the same question. OP was asked "Are you exempt?" to which, correctly, OP replied "No" meaning she was not exempt from paying for treatment in other words she had to pay for treatment.

Another patient was asked a different question "Do you pay for treatment?" to which he answered, again correctly, "Yes" and paid before his treatment. Which incidentally is not usual for dental treatment as often the dentist does not know precisely what treatment will be necessary in advance.

Nothing wrong in itself with asking if someone is exempt as long as you understand the difference between yes and no in this context.

Best to answer "I'm on the NHS and pay those charges". Our practice has both. Fortunately the receptionist is a nice older woman.

Perhaps asking if you a re exempt is thought of being nicer than asking in public, "are you on relevant benefits for free treatment"

I have just got back from the dentist New dentist, new town. Both receptionists and dentist were pleasant and polite.

Sorry, but the way I feel now about rude service people, I would probably answer with 'Computer says no, with the right voice'.

DH and a group of six men from a club walked in to a restaurant where they had booked a table. They were most taken back when the receptionist barked, 'Any allergies' at them as a greeting. No 'good evening' or 'do you have a reservation' or similar pleasantries. The service went on as it had started. It was one of the places that add an automatic service charge of 10%. For the first time ever DH had it removed.

Some people are just not cut out to deal with the public.

Magenta8

I sometimes have to go into my bank branch and I know that if a particular women serves me she will not fail to be curt, roll her eyes at me and sigh. The local pharmacy employs a similar woman. Both establishments display the zero tolerance of rudeness sign.

The other day a bus driver told me off for not making eye contact with him when I tapped my bus pass. I had muttered 'thank you' but apparently that was not enough. Of course I smiled at him and apologised.

Well I wouldn’t have done ( apology) there could be many reasons a woman or any person doesn’t make eye contact.

My dental surgery has recently changed hands and reception is staffed by a squad of lookalikes. Same early 20 something’s, long bleached hair tied back, spray tan, useless nails and lip filler jobs. Nothing wrong with that, but they mumble the questions to clients (DD1 asked to have something written down, as she couldn’t understand one) and there’s no empathy at all, especially to clients who phone in on behalf of someone suffering from toothache. When I was last in, Nat’lee was ringing clients to remind them of imminent appointments and had to repeat herself several times as her tone and diction was so poor.

I think I get it now, Astitchintime. Our dentist doesn’t work like that so that situation wouldn’t arise. We do have lovely receptionists, though!

I'm so sorry that it's upset you.
It was rather curt.
Unfortunately it's not a particularly well - paid job and seems to attract some people who can't be bothered.
My GP's surgery has the worst reputation in the area for rude and unhelpful receptionists .
People have actually burst into tears.
I've burst into tears as well.
My meds are usually not ready and haven't been for about 15 years .
I've had all my patient's notes deleted.
My "posh " accent has been made fun of.
One of my friends lasted a week as a receptionist at the surgery.
She said that it's the worst job that she's had and pays minimum wage for awkward hours and the work is demanding with too much responsibility.

Astitchintime

SueDonim

I’m not sure what the OP wanted the receptionist to say in the first place. Is there something wrong with asking if you’re exempt?

SueDonim……..I wasn’t objecting to the question at all. She asked was I exempt to which I replied, no. But she didn’t then ask me to pay - I thought I’d be paying as I left.
Then another patient arrived and paid, after she asked if he paid for treatment. This made me realise that the wires had been crossed and I approached the receptionist again and mention that she had asked if I was exempt. She didn’t ask me to pay at that point. Hope that makes this clearer.

Just to confirm, I wasn’t trying to avoid paying…….the receptionist was rather sharp to be honest and claimed I should have known what she was supposed to ask me!!!!

Really odd that he paid first though.
We pay when we leave as the total cost then comes up on the computer.

The receptionists at our dental surgery are lovely but one has just retired so I hope the new one is as good.

The GP surgery receptionists are a mixture of polite and helpful and difficult.

I'd pay after, as there's always the chance of me bolting out the door when my name is called - I am such a scaredy -cat at the dentist.

😁
You're not the only one. It's just as well my dentist is friendly and puts patients at their ease.

Even if I feel miserable, I act happy and smiley 😀.

There are such miserable women working in my doctor's surgery, dental clinic, pharmacy, bakery, supermarket. They all look like they're working under duress, like serving you is an inconvenience, and rarely smile or engage in pleasantries.

This seems to be a sign of the times 🤷.

Ah, but being a Receptionist is but a stepping stone on the path to becoming Amanda Hughes, the embryonic business empire-builder in "AmandaLand".

Customers, patients and/or clients are but driftwood........

I sometimes have to go into my bank branch

What is one of those?

🤷‍♀️

I must be lucky as I can’t say I have encountered rudeness or abruptness from staff at my local dental, medical or other services. Bus drivers are particularly friendly.

Our dentist’s reception staff are very anodyne and don’t react to either conversation or a light witticism. Sometimes you wonder whether there is anything behind the eyes. However, I went in for a check up appointment and they had given my appointment to the next in line. I was seven minutes late and was told I would have to make another appointment. I asked why I couldn’t take the appointment of the person who had mine. I was told very pointedly that “It doesn’t work like that!” And that “If you’re late again, you’ll be removed from the list!” I had never ever been late. I felt demeaned. I have no choice but to stay with them. Thank goodness it’s only twice a year.

Cabbie21

I must be lucky as I can’t say I have encountered rudeness or abruptness from staff at my local dental, medical or other services. Bus drivers are particularly friendly.

Same here. Can I also add a thumbs up for the staff at our local M & S? They are very friendly, offer help with packing bags (obviously I look as if I need it.

Forgot the closing bracket - sorry!