Would you have found this embarrassing/awkward?

[Floristry382]

I've just returned from having a PCR test. There were no other people being tested there just me and 3 members of staff inside the unit plus one on the door and one collecting the swabs.

I was shown to a seat in a booth and the man explained what I had to do. The 2 other staff members then stood with him, all behind me and watched as I swabbed my tonsils. I was gagging so much and felt so embarrassed! Some privacy would have been nice!

They were all male members of staff, young men in their 20's and 30's. Would others have found that uncomfortable? I think they should leave step away once they've given instructions I don't need an audience!

[looeeea]

Think they are just doing a job nothing personal they will be doing this all day every day for everyone who gets tested.

[Floristry382]

Oh yes I understand that but it doesn't take 3 people to watch 1 person swab their tonsils!

[ithappenedthatway]

No, wouldn't have bothered me.

They see it all day every day.

[Biancadelrioisback]

Were they all stood looking at you or were they keeping a check on you and chatting to each other?

[Floristry382]

Just stood watching me. I wouldn't have minded but I was really wretching, I have a very strong gag reflex! It was just embarrassing.

[Miliao]

I would have thought they see it all the time! Although the coughing and spluttering may have been embarrassing for you, I doubt they would have given it a second thought - I bet every other person does this, I know I do!

[TheOccupier]

I would not have liked that and think it's weird. I did a PCR at a testing centre on Thursday and nobody watched me!

[CurbsideProphet]

I've had 2 PCR tests and each time I was left alone in a makeshift booth while staff were chatting elsewhere (this is a marquee in a car park). I wouldn't have wanted them to have just stood and watched me.

The only explanation I can think of is that they have been told to make sure people are doing it right and not just standing around.

[junebirthdaygirl]

Do you have to do your own swabbing? Here in lreland they have testers and they can do it so quickly you don't even notice. The guy doing mine was chatting away while he was doing it probably to relax me. I would hate to be watched doing my own but they are probably totally chilled as around it all the time.

[Comedycook]

I'd have said "I don't need an audience, thank you"

[Biancadelrioisback]

Why didnt you say anything?

[AtomicBlondeRose]

I’d have hated that - I go far away from everyone when I do my LFTs as the gagging and sneezing is ridiculous and I hate it. I don’t even like my own family to witness it, let alone strangers! I’m sure they wouldn’t care but I would.

[Clandestin]

@junebirthdaygirl

Do you have to do your own swabbing? Here in lreland they have testers and they can do it so quickly you don't even notice. The guy doing mine was chatting away while he was doing it probably to relax me. I would hate to be watched doing my own but they are probably totally chilled as around it all the time.

Yes, that was what I was going to say. Here it's almost all drive-through, and someone leans in the window of your car and does the swabbing. Not pleasant, but fast.

[PassTheDutchyUpYrLeftBackside]

We do our own here and no one watches you.

Not nice at all, OP, I would have hated that and probably asked them to move away (I'm old and hobby now though - I may not have done when I was younger)

[earthyfire]

I would have probably made a comment about the fact I had an audience. I'm quite blunt.

[girlmom21]

I don't think it matters that they're male or their ages.

I wouldn't be embarrassed personally.

Their job is to make sure people are doing the tests properly. That's all.

[Floristry382]

girlmom21 actually I think their sex and age does matter. As a young woman, on my own I felt uncomfortable. I dont think I would have felt as embarrassed if it had been 3 females in their 50's for example. It would still have been weird though!

I should have said something but I'm not very confident at speaking up for myself and just wanted to get it over and done with.

[InFrontBy]

No, I wouldn't have found that embarrassing. They're doing a job.

[mafted]

Whenever I've been there has been one or two staff lurking outside the booth. When DS started retching they seemed to be on red alert for him being sick.

I wish they would do it for you, I always worry I haven't done it properly.

[MrsRobbieHart]

This is why I have always ordered home tests. I don’t want to have to do that infront of anyone.

[WTF475878237NC]

I don't think it's appropriate to have any sort of medical assessment in front of unnecessary staff no.

[Floristry382]

For those saying they were just doing their job, well 2 of them weren't. 1 supervising would be fair enough but 3? The surplus staff should have been making themselves busy with other things rather than watching me.

[SilverTonguedDevil]

In the UK if it's a free government PCR test (not for travel) then you swab yourself as I guess it's in your own interest to do it properly.
If it's a paid PCR test to be allowed to travel then the company doing the test will do the swabbing, presumably to ensure nobody cheats the process, I'm guessing.

[Rainbowshine]

I should have said something but I'm not very confident at speaking up for myself

If that’s a common feeling you have you can work on your confidence. Having a few phrases and questions ready to call upon will help.

As others have said you could have asked whether they were part of the testing process or even said “why is there three of you watching?”

Asked in a tone of voice that shows it is a question and not sarcastic that’s fine.

Have a look around on the web as there’s loads of free resources about assertiveness and looking confident.

[Floristry382]

Rainbowshine thankyou, I'll have a look. It's something I definitely need to work on. I always have the right thing to say after the event but.never in the moment, I just freeze up.