- Going to get my hair cut - average wait time = 30 minutes - that's ridiculous
- Going to the OB/GYN - average wait time = 30 minutes - really? It was worse at my old practice...we're talking 45 - 60 minute wait. I had to leave!
- Doctor's office - average wait time = 20 minutes - the fact that I'm happy that it's only 20 minutes is pretty sad.
- Bloodwork - average wait time = 30 minutes
- The pediatrician's office - the longest we've waited has been 10 minutes.
- To get my flu shot - I went to my local grocery store's pharmacy and it was so quick!
- To get my car serviced - granted, I make an appointment, rush to get there, but while I'm waiting, they're actually working on something...for me!
- The tailor - always happy to see me.
- The nail place - again, always happy to see me, but I do get there less and less frequently these days - I'm in desperate need of a mani/pedi and someone to watch the babies while I indulge.
So, here's my new solution. I'm going to start to call ahead (particularly to my hair place) to see if whomever I'm seeing is running behind and to let them know that I'll be there, but I may be a little late. Why should I keep their tight schedule when they don't? Then I ask myself, am I just feeding the problem? If I am late with everyone else, aren't I just making it worse? Who knows?
Here are things that I feel like I'm always waiting for:
- The babies to wake up from their naps - sometimes I want to see them and sometimes I could just use some more time alone to get things done (i.e. showering, eating breakfast, the basics).
- The mail lady - I don't know why...we don't even get any good mail.
- The sun.
- Hailey and Matthew's smiles (especially when they're upset and they come unexpectedly or when they first wake up and they're totally happy to see me or when one is crying and the other is just beaming at me...don't know what it is, but it makes everything better).
- Time with my family.
- A kiss from Bill when he gets home from work.
- Someone to come and clean up the downstairs while we're bathing and putting the kids to bed...no, seriously...someone should offer that service - we'll clean up your living room and start dinner while you're spending quality time with your kids.
- Spring/Summer
7 comments:
It seems like every doctor's office is always running late. I get really annoyed by it, especially at places where you feel like they are rushing you through your appointment to catch up on their schedule.
I love my OB's office though because even if I have to wait, I never feel rushed when I'm talking to the doctor. Last appointment I waited for 45 minutes, but she apologized the second she came in and then she spent 40 minutes with me talking about all things baby and twins (she has 18 year old twins). I leave there feeling like I'm really getting the best care.
Can't wait until this kids start smiling! When does that happen?
Good call. I HATE waiting because I'm so anal about being on time!
I agree that waiting is a pain. The only thing I can say in defence as I am in the medical world but for animals is that I am very anal about being on time and always try to keep my appointments. Its actually the idiots that are late which mess things up or people who do just turn up and expect to be fitted in. I agree it is crap for you guys who turn up on time all the time and then have to wait so this is a sort of apology from us to you!! sorry!!
Nic, I think you're right about other patients throwing the whole schedule off...it just annoys me! Why should those people's appointments be held then?
Maybe places that typically have a wait could institute a serve appetizers or a buzzer system...like Chili's! LOL Everyone would probably be a lot happier!
my pet peeve as well. but from the other side of things... sometimes your providers are trying to stay on time but it is the patients who mess up the schedule by being late, staying for two hours, emergencies, etc. it's a good idea to ask your provider/hairdresser/whoever how long your appointment is so that when you do get in, you'll know your endtime. that helps everyone keep the schedule on time. calling ahead is a great idea and as a patient, i have done that before and found that it works well. or just make the first appointment of the day to be sure.
I totally agree! My time is so much more precious now. And now that I'm working, I worry even more about the time that I get to spend with my girls and I hate for anything to cut into that.
I can't stand to wait at a doctor's office. I always try to have the first appointment of the day of the first one after lunch. Works great. My personal wait hell is waiting in line at Walmart...you know, lines 10 people deep and only 1-2 cashiers working with 20 workers walking around the store. I can at least understand at the doctor's office, but that I never understand (but you can't make an appointment for that)
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