The doctor’s office waiting room is arguably the most miserable room on the face of the planet. More miserable than a room that loops Nickelback’s Photograph indefinitely. More miserable than a room where you have to listen to two people argue theology. Even more miserable than a room where you are forced to converse with Bill Belichick for fifteen minutes.
I think the experience could be enhanced, though, if we were all on the same page. That is why I’m proposing this list of 7 Waiting Room Commandments be posted on the front door of every doctor’s office in America:
1. Thou shalt round down when recording what time you got there, in order to get a leg up on your “competition”.
2. Thou shalt not offend the receptionist by actually speaking to her. She has way more important things to do…like avoid talking to you.
3. Thou shalt not make eye contact with others, especially if you’re at the OBGYN with you’re wife and you see a high school girl that babysits your kids.
4. Thou shalt choose your chair wisely. Arbitrarily switching seats mid-stay is more awkward than that guy sitting across from you with the face nipple.
5. Thou shalt suck it up and read WebMD and Type II Diabetes pamphlets until that jerk surrenders the room’s only Us Weekly. Oh, and if he tries to take it back into the room, thou shalt take any measure to prevent that from happening.
6. Thou shalt not talk to anyone. Tis better to appear rude than get in a discussion about the reason you’re there (Note: If the silent treatment fails, detailing your bowel problems is the quickest way to terminate any conversation).
7. Thou shalt pay your co-pay with confidence, even though you’re not entirely sure what a co-pay is.
8. Thou shalt not laugh at the suckers who are still in the waiting room as you’re leaving. Sure, you outsmarted them by rounding down the time you got there, but you will eventually be found out. Believe me.
Any commandments I missed? Let me know in the comments.
I’ve also taken a similar approach to enhance our experiences at the dentist, at public pools, on the phone, and at the beach.
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