To complain about this GP receptionist?

[Ginghamcurtains]

Tell me if I am making a mountain out of a molehill please.

I went to see the GP today with DC (7 months) in tow. I checked myself in and found out that there was going to be a long wait, about 5 patients before me. I told the (nice) receptionist that I was going to pop out across the steet to the playground and she said that was fine and apologised for the long wait.

Outside at the car park, I went to the car, got DC dressed in her winter coat and hat whilst more cars arrived looking for space to park. I got some impatient looks from people in their cars thinking I was about to leave, one driver even swore at me when I hinted that I wasn't moving my car.

Anyhow, I closed the boot and walked across the street to the playground.

Suddenly a women got out of her car and shouted across the street asking if I was seeing the GP or not. I didn't feel like shouting back and anyway it was none of that woman's business really. So I turned around and ignored her. Next I know she shouts my name "mrs Ginghamcurtains" in a school master voice, "a you or aren't you seeing the GP". I recognised that this was other GP receptionist. I mumbled something about waiting to see the Gp. She went off in a huff saying that she needed to park her car implying that she needed the space my car was parked in.

Aibu to feel really put out that she used my name which she only knows because I am a patient to shout across the street at me because she needed a parking space? I thought this was really rude and i am considering complaining about her. Would you?

I am however worried that if I complain she will make me pay for it when I call for appointments in the future.

[Salmotrutta]

I don't really understand why you didn't just answer her question tbh.

It doesn't seem terrible (to me at least) to ask if someone is using the space intended for the surgery for an appointment when they are seen heading away from the surgery?

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

It doesn't seem terrible (to me at least) to ask if someone is using the space intended for the surgery for an appointment when they are seen heading away from the surgery?

Exactly!

[Salmotrutta]

Oh well.

We all have different levels of reasonableness...

[Bowlersarm]

I don't think she was rude at all.

She used your name, polite rather than "oi you". I don't see why you would want your name to be top secret?

She probably thought it odd you were waiting to see your GP outside.

What could you possibly say in your complaint "I'm very cross because the receptionist called me Mrs Gingham, and asked if I was leaving the car park so she could use my space"

I'm not sure that complaint would be high on their list of priorities.

[Ginghamcurtains]

She didn't ask nicely! She was really grumpy and reprimanding, so I do mind being addressed in that way, especially being sick and having to see the Gp.

[Bowlersarm]

Sorry OP I can tell you are cross but really struggling to understand why you are cross.

[SirChenjin]

She didn't ask - she got out of the car and shouted to find out if she was seeing the GP or not. If a stranger shouted at me from across the street wanting to know if I was seeing the GP I wouldn't necessarily answer them - it's none of their business. Just because someone shouts at you and asks you a question about where you are going doesn't mean you are actually required to give an answer.

[Ginghamcurtains]

Bowlers If you put like that....... i can imagine that would look a bit ludicrous and most definitely not top priority on a complaint list haha.

[Salmotrutta]

You asked if you were making a mountain out of a molehill OP?

Yes.

[DoJo]

To be fair, it may be a part of her job to keep an eye on parking and ensure that people aren't using the car park to go to the playground and not the GP. I don't see why you are so upset that she used your name, unless you are hiding from someone or so private that you consider it privileged information for anyone to over hear it. I think it was reasonable of her to confront you over the parking situation, and I don't understand why you didn't just answer her the first time she asked you - surely you can see why it's in their interests to ensure that people aren't misusing their car park, especially if it's often as busy as you describe.

[ZombieMonkeyButler]

Hmm, I suppose I can see both sides really. I can see why she (the Receptionist) was annoyed, but I can see why you thought being shouted out across the street was rude.

Technically speaking, you are probably correct in assuming that she shouldn't have used your name outside of the surgery - but would you have felt the same if she wasn't a Receptionist but, some other casual acquaintance/mother from school etc?

Complain if you really feel you should, I imagine the Practice Manager will have a quiet word and leave it at that.

[SirChenjin]

You asked if you were making a mountain out of a molehill OP?

No.

[softlysoftly]

Was it a surgery space or Road parking?

If it was Road parking yanbu, though could have responded first time.

If it was surgery parking yabu, she quite rightly thought that you were abusing the space to go to the park.

I also think it's odd to leave the surgery, does everyone have to wait if they reach you and you aren't there? GPs get 5 minute slots, 5 × 5 could mean 25m max wait if all were uncomplicated.

[bababababoom]

YANBU to leave the surgery and go to the playground....not sure why people think 7mo baby won't enjoy the playground or benefit from the fresh air. Mine was 8 mo last year when she was rolling round in the snow (in a waterproof ski suit)....

YABU not to have answered when she called you. She was being ratty, probably because she thought (understandably) that you weren't using the surgery and were taking up her parking space.

Y would be U to make a complaint.

[kinkyfuckery]

So you are pissed off that someone used your name in a reprimanding way, on the street, whilst not working? So you want to report her to her boss?

[Bowlersarm]

You asked if you were making a mountain out of a molehill Op?

Yes.


(Although doctors surgeries, especially with a young child in tow is a stressful business, so your experience may look distorted)

[Ginghamcurtains]

But I didn't recognise her before she called me by my name.i thought Shen was just a grumpy old hag / cheeky mare and thus ignored her.

Once she called my name, I looked against saw it was the receptionist.

[BobaFetaCheese]

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

'She got out of her car'
^ does thatmean she wasnt at work when you went in for your appointment first time around/the times you came back in to check on progress?

[SirChenjin]

You asked if you were making a mountain out of a molehill Op?

Some of us think no, some think yes.

The joys of AIBU!

[CoffeeTea103]

Yabu, get over it. There are real issues in life to get bothered about, this isn't one of them. She did not put your life in danger by using your name publicly. If a colleague, teacher, acquaintance used your name acquired would you be making complaints all over the place?

[Ginghamcurtains]

kincky, she was working. Trying to find parking to return to her post at the reception.

[gordyslovesheep]

she probably thought you had seen the Dr and when now taking your child to the park - and she needed the space, which is for patients and staff at the Dr's. I don't think she was rude to ask you if you still needed the space

[Ginghamcurtains]

Gordy, yep you're probably right. However, I reiterate that there was no need to bark at me. I am a patient after all. For all she knew I could have been feeling quite delicate rather than jut bone tired.

[Ginghamcurtains]

Anyways, thank you all for your candid responses.

I have decided not to make a formal complaint as it's not worth the hassle and could turn her against me when making future appointments.

But I do think she should have been more polite and less bossy. Fwiw.

[SirChenjin]

Agree with both points there, but remember to cut her some slack - she is a GP receptionist and therefore truly believes she is God