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So recently I’ve had the pleasure(?) of sitting in a waiting room and wanted to share my opinion on this topic. Obviously we all have to wait for things, especially doctors, in these rooms. None of us want to be here; we all have other places that we’d rather be (e.g., anywhere else). But, since we’re stuck in this room together, I have a couple of of helpful hints that will make it more pleasant for all of us.
Bring something to do. Sitting or standing and staring at the rest of us, walking around, and fidgeting can be avoided if you simply bring something with to entertain yourself.
Please put your phone on silent or, at the very least, on vibrate mode. None of the rest of us in the room believes for a minute that you’re part of the FBI, you’re a Fortune 500 guru, or that you’re so indispensable that you must answer your phone that second. I do realize that some of us have important responsibilities and we have to access our phone for incoming emergencies, but we can still hold the phone, look at the phone, and monitor your messages while the phone is quiet. The rest of us in the room don’t need to hear your ringtone every 20 seconds, your selected You Tube videos, or the tap tap tap of your numbers/letters on your keypad. Also, if you do get a call that you must take, please take yourself out into the hall or another space so the rest of us aren’t unwillingly pulled into your private life.
Take up your one allotted space. I know you don’t want anybody sitting next to you; none of us do. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary. If you and your spouse or friend are each taking up a spot and another spot for your purse, coat, paper, etc., especially when you’re on a corner, that just makes the rest of us have to cram together. Not cool. Also, please do your best to stay contained in your one chair; you know, keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.
Leave your food at home. I get it, sometimes we’re in a hurry and use this time for an energy snack or even lunch. I will let you know now that I don’t appreciate the smell of your peanut butter crackers or yogurt. I also don’t appreciate the chomp chomp chomp noises of crunchy food or the snap of your gum. Again, please resist for another few minutes until you’re in a more private space…or your car.
Bottom line is, try to be the person that you want to share the room with, even if for a short time. It will make all of our experiences more enjoyable.
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