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Original poster

Strange comment from GP

71 replies

Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 07:44

I had a phone appointment yesterday. I didn’t recognise the name of the doctor so assumed he’s new or a locum. It’s a big medical centre. The call was about different painkillers and a muscle relaxant for an unstable joint that had partially dislocated and caused muscle spasms after it had gone back into place.

He asked if he could confirm my name and asked for my d.o.b. He sort of laughed a bit when I’d finished and said what a nice voice I had. He said it was very calm and relaxing and he said he felt like he might be the patient. I said oh ok thanks then he asked how he could help. It seemed a very strange thing to say. Not sure why I’m posting as it’s not something I’d complain about but it’s not something I’ve come across before either and it felt odd and derailed the appointment a bit. Is it me or was it a bit weird /unprofessional?

OP posts:
PocketSize · 08/07/2021 07:46

Maybe he was just paying you a compliment?

Elnetthairnet · 08/07/2021 07:49

Maybe you have a lovely relaxing voice? Have you thought about doing voiceovers?!

Purplewithred · 08/07/2021 07:51

Really?

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General health
Purple21 · 08/07/2021 07:52

He was just being nice

BillyShears · 08/07/2021 07:53

What? He was just being friendly. I’m all for calling out bad behaviour in men when I see it, but this isn’t that.

spaceghett0 · 08/07/2021 07:53

Complain immediately! Biscuit

Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 07:53

Maybe but I’ve not had gp’s paying me complements. They ask questions, give advice and make suggestions/prescriptions and make referrals but not complemented me on something so random. It just sort of stood out as a bit strange and unrelated to the appointment. Maybe he was having a morning on receiving end of very un-calm, shouting people though and this was a bit of a change.

OP posts:
MerryDecembermas · 08/07/2021 07:53

I'd be feeling harassed by that. Totally unneccessary comment

minipie · 08/07/2021 07:54

It’s slightly odd and he probably felt a bit embarrassed afterwards for saying it. I really wouldn’t get hung up on it.

spaceghett0 · 08/07/2021 07:54

@MerryDecembermas

I'd be feeling harassed by that. Totally unneccessary comment
Harassed - really?
Funatlast · 08/07/2021 07:55

I do think that’s weird.

Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 07:55

Purplewithred. Yes really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 07:55

I didn’t feel harassed just a bit surprised

OP posts:
AbsolutelyPatsy · 08/07/2021 07:59

have people commend on your voice before?

Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 08:02

AbsolutelyPatsy. I think a few people have said it’s a calm, friendly sounding voice but that’s over 60 years. It’s not been something that often gets remarked on and I absolutely hate it. To me it sounds reedy and flat.

OP posts:
Etinox · 08/07/2021 08:03

It’s a bit strange but harmless. If he’s on the phone all day and the stakes are high, the relief at getting through to someone calm and easy to communicate with with is immense.

Sansaplans · 08/07/2021 08:04

It sounds like awkward small talk to break the awkwardness of phone consultations after years of learning how to do so with face to face appointments. By all means if you found it uncomfortable complain, but I don't know to me it doesn't seem overly inappropriate.

PearlNextDoor · 08/07/2021 08:05

Ah you're sixty, I'd just assume you have a nice voice.
If you were 22 I'd wonder what he was up to.

Sorry if I sound cynical but when I was 23 you wouldn't believe the number of men who told me what a lovely accent I had. 51 now, same accent, been a while since anybody noticed my accent! Maybe it needed to go with a more recent DOB!!

TheUndoingProject · 08/07/2021 08:06

GPs are just people trying their best. It’s hardly bloody harassment to inadvertently make a slightly socially awkward comment. No wonder NHS morale is so low.

Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 08:09

No I’d not complain sansaplans as I didn’t find it creepy. And I thought if he was having a morning of fraught, upset or cross phonecalls this might have felt a relief. I try to go into calm mode on the phone so I can try to explain things clearly and understandably as there’s a lot of different things that are going on linked to the condition I have. Especially if it’s a gp who doesn’t know me at all.

OP posts:
Horsemad · 08/07/2021 08:10

Maybe you got a nice shiny new GP who hasn't yet been burnt out and ground down by the system?

Original poster
Literarydevice · 08/07/2021 08:11

Pearlnextdoor. He definitely wasn’t being flirty. He sounded young and I’m heading towards ancient .

OP posts:
saraclara · 08/07/2021 08:14

He was aiming to build a connection between you as it was a phone consultation. That's all.

QueenAdreena · 08/07/2021 08:15

I can imagine some people talk to GP’s in a rude, entitled way, he might have just had a morning of that before speaking to you, and you were a welcome change. I would not see it as harassment at all, just a well intentioned (and possibly slightly socially awkward) comment.

PearlNextDoor · 08/07/2021 08:15

In that case, I'd have just said ''thanks'''

I am wary as well though. If somebody compliments me if it feels out of nowhere, I zip up my bag, metaphorically....

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