I have spent a lot of time in various waiting rooms for medical appointments and I have observed many issues that annoy me about these experiences. I am convinced that nobody cares about the people around them.
Here are some simple waiting room rules of etiquette that I would like to implement:
- If you are sick (which most are) and hacking/coughing you should WEAR A MASK! I don't care about any politics or whatever. Wear a mask! Don't spread your germs all over the dang waiting room.
- Please don't discuss you ailments out loud with others or on your speaker phone. We don't want to hear it. We have our own issues we are dealing with and don't need to hear more.
- While we are on the subject of using the phone, if you need to use your phone listen to music or watch videos put in some ear buds/headphones. We don't all agree on music or your choices on videos.
- If there are enough seats in the waiting room, you don't have to plop down right next to someone. Give some space. None of us want to be there and this isn't a special club we're in. At least allow one seat space.
I know no one is going to do this but just wanted to vent. Even if these rules were posted on the wall, people still wouldn't follow them and the staff wouldn't enforce them. In fact, we often go to one waiting room where there is a sign posted that it is a "quiet zone" but it is ignored. Even the television volume can be heard down the hallway.
Waiting is never any fun and even less fun when you are sick. It doesn't take much effort to think of others while you are waiting.
