The doctor will see you now

What’s worse than being sick?

Sitting in a doctor’s waiting room.

Whenever I have to sit in a waiting room, it’s always full of rowdy characters.

I had an appointment with my doctor today. Although I sat there for more than an hour, I was relieved that he had some decent reading material. Unfortunately, it was difficult to focus on reading because of all the noise. It sounded more like I was in a bar than a doctor's office.

For some unknown reason, sick people feel the need to engage in conversation with other sick people. If I am sick, I don't want to speak to anyone when I am visiting the doctor.

Today, I saw a few characters who irritated me.

Across the room, I saw an older woman asking a younger woman if she had any children, and if so, who watched them. I noticed how uncomfortable the younger woman was with the older woman's interrogation. The older woman then said that she once had a miscarriage and her baby was in heaven.

The younger woman didn't really seem interested in speaking to a stranger. She was obviously trying to keep to herself.

I am not an unsympathetic or unkind person, but there is a time and place for a conversation. Offering information about your personal life to a stranger in a doctor's office wouldn't be the place.

I am also irritated with the patient who is willing to discuss their ailments with anyone who will listen. No offense, but I really don't need to know about your hard stool or the gory details of your upcoming gastric bypass surgery.

I just want to wait in peace and be left alone. If you see me in a doctor's office, I am either sick or I am sitting with someone who is sick. I am already miserable so I am not trying to meet new friends.

And if you whine, you really irritate me. Whiners enjoy complaining about how long they have been waiting.

There is a reason why it's called a waiting room. You aren't the doctor’s only sick patient. I would appreciate it if you just sit down, stop complaining and be quiet.