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Original poster

Rude gps

186 replies

mumma224 · 14/01/2026 09:45

Why are gp receptionists so rude? And why do we just act like that’s standard? Every time I’ve called up recently I’ve been met with some condescending women acting as if me calling up is inconvenient for her. I don’t want to hear nothing about how awful they get treated because to be honest, I don’t feel like being so polite after I am instantly met with rudeness from them. It’s at the point where I get stressed whenever I need to call up.
I get the job is stressful yes but retail workers, others in customer facing jobs, we don’t get to treat customers like crap just because we can’t emotionally handle the job and everything that comes with it.

OP posts:
Passaggressfedup · 14/01/2026 11:08

Never had an issue myself either, on the opposite, but they way I hear people talking to them whilst in the waiting area has often got me shuddering. I dint think k people are aware, but they start conversations already on a defensive stand and the second they don't hear what they want, the tone of voice goes up and the attitude goes along. I don't m ow how they do it.

3point5 · 14/01/2026 11:06

I get frustrated when they think they can act as a triage system. They have no medical training and should not feel that they can do this

IsItSnowing · 14/01/2026 11:06

Fortunately mine are all polite and helpful.

It's not necessarily their fault if they can't give everyone what they want.

They put up with a lot though.

I was waiting for my mum the other day while she saw the nurse. The poor receptionist was trying to help a man who had turned up 15 minutes late for his appointment.

He was shouting at her and implying it was her fault. She was very kindly saying to him ' please give me a minute while I try to fit you in' and he was shouting and saying he had an appointment and she needed to let him see the doctor. How does anyone think that's ok?

Original poster
mumma224 · 14/01/2026 11:04

IamnotSethRogan · 14/01/2026 10:23

I think you just have an issue with one particular person so it's not really fair to blame all receptionists.

Similarly some statistics have just been released saying that something like 285 acts of violent are committed against NHS staff every day, so I would say it is in fact a bit more stressful than other jobs.

Edited

It’s not just one person, it’s multiple that I’ve dealt with, or else yes I’d just put it down to this person and not gp receptionists in general. I get that, and as stated do sympathise with it being a stressful job but the attitude you give, is the attitude you get at the end of the day. There’s absolutely no need to be patronising and condescending at 9am.

OP posts:
Endofyear · 14/01/2026 10:51

I've been with 3 GP surgeries in my life and the vast majority of receptionists have been lovely and helpful. Yes, you get the odd rude one but that's true of all jobs - shop assistants, bus drivers, teachers etc - receptionists are no different! They do a bloody difficult job and people are rude to them all the time!

IamnotSethRogan · 14/01/2026 10:23

I think you just have an issue with one particular person so it's not really fair to blame all receptionists.

Similarly some statistics have just been released saying that something like 285 acts of violent are committed against NHS staff every day, so I would say it is in fact a bit more stressful than other jobs.

charlottebucket · 14/01/2026 10:15

It’s very patchy. I rarely contact my gp but had to recently, first receptionist was incredibly rude, talked over me, I couldn’t get a word in, with absolutely no provocation. Later in the day another one was absolutely lovely. I cannot believe the rude ones get away with it especially when people are at their most vulnerable but it’s minimum wage and recruitment is difficult so I guess practice managers think that being understaffed is worse than having the rude ones.

Amsylou · 14/01/2026 10:15

Throwitback · 14/01/2026 10:09

Thought this was going to be about an impolite car sat nav

Me too!!! GPS telling people to ‘f off’ or something Wink

Morepositivemum · 14/01/2026 10:12

They’re under a lot of pressure to be fair op but saying that our gp has a one star rating on google and every review says the receptionists are awful.

Throwitback · 14/01/2026 10:09

Thought this was going to be about an impolite car sat nav

Catza · 14/01/2026 10:07

I moved eight times up and down the country in the last six years so changed a lot of surgeries and I have never encountered a rude receptionist. Can you specify what exactly they are saying to you that you deem rude?