I will never forget the first time I was late for an appointment. I can't believe I didn't get a speeding ticket on the way, probably trimmed a year off the life of my brakes, and definitely raised my blood pressure exponentially! When I squealed into the parking lot 2 minutes late, I felt sure that my appointment would have already become disgusted with me and left.
However, she was peacefully sitting in the waiting area flipping through a magazine and didn't seem to even notice I was late! (It was only 2 minutes I suppose!)
I am one of "those" people. My mom taught me that unless you are 5 minutes early, you are actually late. I hate making people wait as I feel I am telling them that their time isn't as important as mine.
If only people had more respect for the time of others. When I took GRI in 2002, my first instructor said that when someone wastes your time, they effectively waste your life. This really hit home with me, and as I waited in the exam room for my son's 18-month check-up today, it all came racing back!
After 30 minutes in the waiting room, at last we were taken back! I was not happy with the 30 minute wait but wasn't overly upset either. However, after 1 hour in a 10x10 exam room with an 18 month old boy (wanting in the trashcan, pulling out tissues, "riding" the doctor's stool), I had had all I could take. I stepped out and asked the nurse how much longer it would be. I was told that we were next, and there had been an "emergency".
Considering this has happened the past 3 times we've had check-ups at this particular office, I'm pretty sure the "emergency" is called overbooking!
Needless to say, my time is valuable, and it's time for me to stop being a doormat. As a courtesy, we will be writing a letter to the office explaining why we are moving. Maybe enough of these will help to affect some change!
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