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Original poster

Would you have found this embarrassing/awkward?

31 replies

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 16:12

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!

OP posts:

looeeea · 16/10/2021 16:13

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

Original poster

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 16:15

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

OP posts:

ithappenedthatway · 16/10/2021 16:19

No, wouldn't have bothered me.

They see it all day every day.

Biancadelrioisback · 16/10/2021 16:20

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

Original poster

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 16:21

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.

OP posts:

Miliao · 16/10/2021 16:26

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 · 16/10/2021 16:28

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 · 16/10/2021 16:31

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 · 16/10/2021 16:32

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 · 16/10/2021 16:34

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

Biancadelrioisback · 16/10/2021 16:35

Why didnt you say anything?

AtomicBlondeRose · 16/10/2021 16:36

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 · 16/10/2021 16:37

@junebirthdaygirl

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 · 16/10/2021 16:41

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 · 16/10/2021 16:43

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

girlmom21 · 16/10/2021 16:43

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.

Original poster

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 16:48

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.

OP posts:

InFrontBy · 16/10/2021 16:55

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

mafted · 16/10/2021 16:58

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 · 16/10/2021 16:59

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

WTF475878237NC · 16/10/2021 17:00

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

Original poster

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 17:02

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.

OP posts:

SilverTonguedDevil · 16/10/2021 17:04

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 · 16/10/2021 17:05

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.

Original poster

Floristry382 · 16/10/2021 17:07

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.

OP posts:

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