OB/GYN: "It hurts like hell, so what are you waiting for?

verica said:I honestly don't get why people are attacking doctors again. One specific doctor mentioned here was just being rude and unprofessional. That doesn't reflect on the entire medical profession or doctors as a whole. 😛 My old boss used to swear and yell all the time, but I'm certainly not going to label every electrical engineer a caveman. 😉

You hit the nail on the head. Not every doctor is an arrogant jerk.

But... I feel like most doctors think their job is more important than anyone else's, and they act like it. Everything in hospitals and clinics screams that attitude—from the way the corners are painted to classify you instantly, down to the strict hierarchy of ranks.

Sure, there are decent doctors who haven't let it go to their heads.

But... if you ask a nurse or anyone working a lower-level role in a hospital how most doctors treat them and their patients, you'll hear the truth. I know, because I've been there. And it wasn't just doctors; I’ve seen the exact same thing from licensed educators and psychologists working in hospitals. The experience is almost identical.

Who wouldn't get a bit of an ego when they're out there saving lives?

Paul said:I work as a waiter at a local diner, and if I told a customer "I don't give a damn" when they asked how much longer their food would be, I could quit on the spot and find a new gig tomorrow. I don't see why we should hold doctors to a different standard. Tons of people have high-stress jobs, and while I'm free to have my own opinion on that, I'm not going to take it out on the customers. I handle it professionally, and if things get too heavy, I seek counseling—which is exactly what that doctor needs to do, too...

I'm with you on this one.

maristella69 said:So, your main criteria for picking a specialist is just whether they're nice, friendly, and kind?

At that rate, why don't you just go see Santa Claus for a checkup?!😕

No. That’s exactly the point.

Think about it. You walk into a shop and the clerk is super rude to you. Maybe they even snap at you. You're probably walking out empty-handed and deciding to spend your money somewhere else. Why? Because you have a million other options. It's the same thing if a waiter is obnoxious, or the lady at the bank counter, or even a daycare teacher who's being rude to your kid. You've got choices.

But a specialist doctor? That's different. They might be the best in Washington, D.C. If they're rude? Whatever. They have a high-stress job, blah blah blah—as long as they cure my ailment or help my kid get healthy, who cares what their attitude is like?

If a waiter takes over 15 minutes to serve you, you aren't going back. Same goes for the cashier who isn't at the register when you need them. You might even skip a store during rush hour if there's only one person working because you just don't feel like waiting.

With a specialist, though, you'll happily wait three hours past your appointment time because you actually need them and they happen to be the best in town.

That's how perception shifts. And doctors know it. That's why they can afford to charge more than most people in other professions.

But honestly, being professional is PART OF EVERY JOB. Being polite and helpful—and mostly smiling—is standard, because a DOCTOR IS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE PATIENTS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

Instead, we treat doctors like little gods. I guess it makes sense when they help us start a family or perform life-saving surgery, but all that success goes straight to their heads like they're some rock star.

Maybe we actually deserve to be looked down upon by half of them if we keep letting it happen.

Give me a break... everyone can be rude sometimes.
And honestly, he wasn't out there herding sheep with her just because she calls him "Uncle."
Would I call my college professor "buddy," "pal," or whatever else? No.

Or would I use casual language with people much older than me who actually deserve some respect? No.

Look, him swearing at her was wrong, I agree. He should have kept his cool... but you find all kinds of behavior in any profession. People claim we swear so much because we're uncultured Americans... that's why this country is failing. I don't get why one specific doctor is being singled out in a headline when 90 percent of Americans act the same way.

If someone tries calling me "Auntie" after I become a professor, I'll tell them to go find a different aunt.
He could have just told her to act like an adult.

We need to show respect to people who have actually achieved something in life. But in this pathetic country, our priorities are flipped—we end up looking up to mobsters and trying to be just like them!

rustymoose54 said:It’s honestly pathetic how some idiot thinks he lives in a country where a mere degree gives him a free pass to be condescending toward his own patients.

I wonder if there are others on this forum who feel like their degrees grant them the right to act like they were appointed by God? 😉

verica said:Nothing justifies that kind of reaction; I just think it was a nervous outburst rather than pure arrogance. He told the patient she needed to address him as "Doctor" instead of calling him " Mister," so you could argue he felt insulted by her tone—it wasn't particularly polite of her to call him that, though she was clearly just joking around.
.

Any man significantly older than that lady could be called "Mister," but I get the feeling his ego as a doctor was bruised because he views himself as more important than the rest of the world; I completely condemn him for that, as true character is shown through manners, not titles. 😁

margarita said:The last time someone left me waiting for more than 15 minutes when I had a scheduled appointment, they certainly learned their lesson.

I packed up my things, told the receptionist I was heading back to work since my appointment wasn't being honored, and demanded they mail me a bill for my lost time at the office.

Later, I got a letter from him apologizing and all that, but I never set foot in that place again... we aren't sheep; he doesn't get to decide when he can see me whenever it suits him. 😁

If I have enough decency to respect their schedule and show up on time, I expect the same courtesy in return.

margarita, I admire your backbone, but unfortunately, the situation here in America is a bit different, though I hope one day it changes to match yours. 😉

Paul said:I work as a waiter in a restaurant, and if I responded to a guest asking how much longer they'd be waiting by telling them I didn't give a damn, I could be fired on the spot. I don't see why a doctor should be held to a different standard. Plenty of people have high-stress jobs, and while I'm entitled to my opinion, I don't take it out on the customers; I handle it differently, and if it becomes unbearable, I seek professional help—which is exactly what this doctor needs.

You're right; a waiter is in service to the guest, and a doctor is in service to the patient. If they ever realize they exist to serve us rather than the other way around, maybe things will change—perhaps the sanctions currently in place are just too light. 🙂

Adam Wells5 said:You’re absolutely right about that. Not every doctor is some rude, unrefined jerk.

I suppose most doctors walk around under the impression that they’re doing work more vital than anyone else's, and honestly, their behavior usually backs that up. You see it everywhere in our hospitals and clinics—from the specific color schemes used to pigeonhole you the moment you walk through the door to that rigid, suffocating hierarchy based on rank.

It turns out there are actually a fair number of doctors out there who haven't completely lost their minds.

Honestly, if you want a reality check, just go ask any nurse or anyone working a lower-level position at a hospital how doctors actually treat them and their patients. It’s eye-opening. I've seen it firsthand, and it isn't just limited to medical staff; I’ve had similar experiences with educators and psychologists working in clinical settings who hold roles just as vital as a doctor's, yet they face that same dismissive attitude.

I guess you have to wonder who actually finds saving lives to be anything more than just a heavy burden on the soul.

To everyone out there working under performance-based metrics, especially those who actually see their teams as human beings rather than just entries on a spreadsheet—those who understand that true wellness isn't merely the absence of a diagnosis—I see you. 🙂

Adam Wells5 said:Look, professionalism isn't just an extra; it’s baked into the job description. You have to be polite, decent, and keep a smile on your face most of the time because, at the end of the day, the doctor is there to serve the patient, not the other way around.

We tend to treat our doctors like little gods instead, which I suppose is inevitable when they're the ones helping us conceive or performing surgery to pull us back from the brink. It all goes straight to their heads, giving them the kind of ego you'd usually only see in a Hollywood A-lister.

Maybe we actually deserve to have at least half of our doctors look down their noses at us, especially if we’re the ones letting them get away with it.

It’s that classic American mentality where everyone just keeps their mouth shut to avoid making waves, choosing to suffer in silence rather than risk causing a scene. 😁

The real issue lies within the system itself; there is a complete lack of accountability across the board. Nobody takes responsibility for anything, let alone for those fatal, cardinal errors that cost lives, much less for basic rudeness or poor conduct. But then again, it all comes back to us, because every time the media makes a massive stink about something, it actually carries some weight. 🙂

Kevin White5 said:Oh, please, give me a break... honestly, everyone can be incredibly rude when they want to be.
And honestly, it’s not like he was out there herding sheep with her just because she calls him "Uncle."
I agree that the way he cursed her was out of line; he really should have kept his cool. But then again, you see that kind of behavior in pretty much any profession if you look hard enough. People like to scream about how we’re just a bunch of unrefined, backwards Americans—as if that’s the sole reason the country is falling apart. I honestly don't get why they're suddenly making such a huge deal about one doctor being at fault when ninety percent of us act exactly the same way.
If someone still tries to call me "Aunt" once I finally land that professor gig, I’ll just tell them they’re going to have to find a different Aunt to bother.
He could have just told her exactly what some creepy little old man would be up to.

We really ought to show some respect to people who have actually accomplished something meaningful in their lives. But in a place like this, where priorities are completely backwards, we end up tipping our hats to mobsters and treating criminals like they’re the ones we should all be striving to emulate.

First off, calling someone "little mister" isn't really the opposite of addressing an "Aunt." I honestly have no idea what kind of university you're attending or where you're living, because around here in Washington, D.C., we'd much more likely address an older gentleman as "sir" or just "Mister." And that whole comment about herding sheep? It felt completely out of place. 🙂
"Respecting people who have actually achieved something in life"? Give me a break.
If we’re using things like having a degree or being a doctor as the only yardstick for success, then we're just stuck in a narrow-minded, old-school way of thinking. To me, true success and happiness come down to whether you’ve actually become a decent human being, regardless of what's listed on your business card.. 🙂

mistybear4 said:There are plenty of people on this forum who think their degree basically makes them some kind of god... 😉

Good grief, you're back at it again...

Are you trying to diagnose me or something? 😉

Look, I'm not a doctor, so let's just rule that theory out immediately. 😎

As far as that doctor is concerned, having a medical degree gives them the authority to decide on treatment plans for their patients—it definitely doesn't give them a free pass to scream at people in a waiting room. But hey, if calling them "god-given" helps you sleep better at night, be my guest...

mistybear4 said:First off, calling an older gentleman "uncle" isn't necessarily disrespectful—it's actually pretty common in places like Washington, D.C.—so I'm not sure what kind of school you're attending. And that comment about tending sheep? It makes zero sense... 🙂

Actually, it's true, "uncle" is the counterpart to "niece"!😂

His behavior is completely primitive and unrefined, but her way of addressing her uncle is just as much a reflection of low culture. Seriously, please, you don't address an older man as "uncle." Maybe with a neighbor or some casual acquaintance, sure, but I wouldn't dream of calling a random passerby "uncle" (or any other variation) instead of using "sir." If you didn't go to college, you surely finished high school. Would you have dared to address a professor as "uncle"?
Back in my university days, nothing like that ever crossed my mind. It isn't just about the rules of etiquette; it’s about basic culture.
To be clear, I am not defending him. I've heard from plenty of others that he's a crude, uncultured individual with a rude attitude, but her level of decorum is just as nonexistent.

If I were in his shoes, I would have simply ignored her. First off, why should I care? If I'm at my workplace doing my job, it's none of my business—especially since we aren't out there herding sheep together to justify being addressed as "uncle," "auntie," or whatever else. But hey, he proved it himself; his level of sophistication is actually even lower than hers.

P.S. I'm not in the medical field or any related profession, so let's not pretend I'm trying to defend "my own."

The New York Times is also quite an intelligent and reliable newspaper 🙂 🙄

"We really ought to show respect to people who have actually achieved something in their lives," says Kevin White5

I mean, seriously, what if someone hasn't "achieved" anything by your definition? Based on your post, it sounds like you think the only way to be worthy of respect is to wrap up a college degree. By that logic, we shouldn't have respected our grandmothers or great-grandmothers—most of whom didn't even finish middle school—because, honestly, what did they ever achieve?👎 👎
If that’s truly how you see the world, then I honestly feel for you.

Jessica Hayes3 said:"We also need to show respect to people who have actually achieved something in life," says Kevin White5

If that’s really how you feel, then honestly, I feel bad for you.

I knew exactly what was up with that student the moment she started trashing chiropractors. Total lack of Success!!!

Frank Alvarez8 said:It’s true, my uncle is the total opposite of my Aunt!!!😂

I remember when I was just a kid, I used to call every older guy "Uncle," and it felt perfectly natural back then; strangely enough, I somehow knew none of them were actually related to me... maybe there's some deep-seated void there that I still haven't quite moved past? 😁

So, if that doctor was significantly older than the woman who called him "Uncle," then using that term seems pretty standard—maybe even a bit charming—rather than some calculated insult. As for him being pissed off, that's a different story; honestly, he probably would have lost his cool even if she had addressed him as "Chief of Medicine." 😉

At the end of the day, if someone is rude and lacks basic manners, their age or professional status doesn't really serve as an excuse; you either have class, or you don't. 🙂

mistybear4 said:When I was a little kid, I used to call every random older guy "Mister," and honestly, it felt totally natural to me! For some reason—God knows why—I knew they weren't actually my uncle, but I just did it anyway. I wonder if that says something about a little void in my life that I still haven't quite moved past? 😁

If that doctor was significantly older than the woman who called him "old timer," then I'd say it’s pretty standard—maybe even a little playful! It definitely doesn't strike me as an insult. As for why he got so worked up, that's a whole different story; honestly, he probably would have lost his cool even if she had called him "Chief" or something similar! 😉

Being rude or disrespectful just isn't acceptable, regardless of how old someone is or what their job title might be! There's no excuse for bad manners. At the end of the day, class is something you learn through life experience—it’s definitely not something you can just buy at a store. 🙂

I honestly can't wrap my head around why some people think it's okay to call random men or casual acquaintances "uncle." It just feels so weird to me!
Don't try to tell me how people talk in Washington, D.C.! I was born right there in D.C. forty-one years ago, and even as a little kid, I used to address men as "sir." My uncles were nothing but wonderful—truly great—friends of my parents. But once I hit about ten years old, I stopped calling them "uncle" altogether!
I truly believe that everyone deserves our respect, no matter who they are—whether it’s someone experiencing homelessness or anyone else you might meet on the street. At the end of the day, how we treat others says everything about our own character and how we were raised!
I actually do the exact same thing! I still address my colleagues in their 20s with "Sir" or "Ma'am" because, honestly, we aren't just babysitting a flock of sheep here. With some people, we'll eventually transition to a more casual vibe, but with others, the professional respect stays exactly where it belongs!
If you ask me, both of them were pretty rude in this situation. The doctor was a bit worse, though, since he actually started swearing!

Zachary Nguyen6 said:I saw that student coming from a mile away the second she started trashing chiropractors. Total failure.

Your brain is what's failing you.
As for chiropractors, I only respect people who actually have proof they know what they're doing, not people who just think they do while snapping limbs. Say whatever you want.

And don't tell me I'm being rude when you're acting the exact same way.
🙂

jadesailor14 said:Is it actually socially acceptable now to address random men or casual acquaintances as "Uncle"? Because it feels weird.
Don't act like that's how people talk in Washington, D.C. I was born there 41 years ago, and even as a kid, I used "sir" when addressing men. My uncles were nothing more than very good friends of my parents. Once I hit ten, I stopped calling them uncle altogether.
I think you should treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are—whether it’s a homeless person, a transient, or whoever else you can think of. How you treat people says everything about your own upbringing and character.
I address my colleagues in their 20s with "Sir" or "Ma'am" for the exact same reason. We aren't running a sheep pen here. With some people, that formality shifts to first names pretty quickly. With others, it stays strictly professional.
If you ask me, both of them acted like total classless jerks in this situation. The doctor took the lead on that one, though—he couldn't keep his mouth shut and started swearing.

👍

P.S. You’re forgetting that American culture is pretty much bottom-tier right now. Not that anyone's surprised.😢

Adam Wells5 said:But look, being professional is LITERALLY THE JOB. Like, being polite, decent, and having a smile on your face most of the time is part of the deal because the doctor is there to SERVE the patient, not the other way around.

Instead, we treat doctors like they're little gods. I mean, can you blame us? They help bring a baby into the world or cut out a terminal tumor. All that stuff just goes straight to their heads, making them feel like some big-shot Hollywood celebrity.

A doctor is NOT your servant🙄. If you’re really that bitter about it, then don't go to the doctor—it's that simple. Who’s forcing you to see them? Nobody!

And honestly, being forced to grin ear-to-ear isn't exactly a core requirement of "professionalism." 🙄

It all comes down to basic manners. That’s where the breakdown started—the total lack of decorum. There was a time when highly educated people carried themselves like true gentlemen; now, everyone else seems to view them as if they're beneath notice. The rest of the public operates on this mindset: "Oh, you have a degree? Who cares? You can use it to wipe your backside." It's even reached the point where less educated people actively try to compete with the intellectuals just to prove that their credentials are worthless. But how can they be worthless when you spent four, five, six, or even nine years of your prime life working toward them? While others were out partying and chasing women, I was hunched over books solving math problems. Naturally, it makes me angry when someone tells me my hard work is useless. And of course, that guy was rightfully livid when his patient called him "little mister."

On the other hand, I’m not exactly defending his outburst. My philosophy is simple: If you're the more educated or intelligent person in the room, don't stoop to their level. I handle those situations with gloves on. When I clash with someone, I rely on cynicism and logic rather than pure primitivism. That’s what actually works.

mistyhound2 said:A doctor isn't your personal servant 🙄. Look, if you're really that bitter about it, then just don't go to the doctor. It’s that simple. Nobody is forcing you to see them!

And honestly, being smiley isn't some required part of their professional job description. 🙄

And who's forcing the doctor to be a doctor? Nobody!
If they don't want to do the work, they shouldn't have gone to med school! Very simple!

Could you elaborate on that? It feels like it has zero connection to what mistyhound2 wrote, let alone this actual thread.

By the way, you get an education at university, not manners. If we’re going to lecture people, it should be about general lack of civility. I’m noticing most of the outrage stems from the fact that he happens to be a doctor, followed immediately by the claim that a degree doesn't make a person any better. So, what's the actual issue? Is it just general rudeness? Why blow this whole thing out of proportion just because one rude person met their match in another rude person? The fact that he was at his workplace—a job where he clearly won't get fired for being a jerk—is irrelevant. You can't compare him to someone who knows that acting like a prick could actually cost them their livelihood or drive away a client. That second person might act polite because they actually have class, or maybe they're just smart enough to fear for their paycheck.

Kevin White5 said:Your brain is a total failure!

And don't you dare call me rude when you're acting exactly the same way.
🙂

That’s where you’re wrong. When you meet rudeness with more rudeness, you’re just dragging yourself down to their level. You aren't winning anything.

I’m not trying to lecture you—your upbringing is your business—but it’s certainly making this thread a mess.