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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Waiting room nightmare

27 replies

ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:38

I'm sat in a waiting room at the hospital waiting for a blood test. One of my conditions causes significant pain so I can't get comfy at all on the chairs, I'm having a massive allergic reaction to something- probably perfume or cleaning products, and the queue is moving so horrifically slowly that they've called in 3 in half an hour and I'm another 20 away so you can imagine how rammed this waiting room is....

Then in walks two people with a child (who can't be having a test because theirs are done elsewhere in the hospital) and immediately puts flipping Baby Shark on their phone at full volume!

Seriously?! There are two adults with them, if the child really can't wait without entertainment, why on earth not take them to the cafe- only steps away- or something?

OP posts:
purplelass · 07/06/2019 10:40

Oh bless you... feeling your pain & hope you get seen soon!

If it's a long wait do you have time to pop out and buy some headphones?

Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:43

I have some in my bag but then I wouldn't hear them call me in. The phone is louder than the people calling us in...

Thanks for the idea though!

OP posts:
Parker231 · 07/06/2019 10:44

Ask them to use headphones or switch it off?

Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:45

I wish I was brave enough

OP posts:
CharlotteFlax · 07/06/2019 10:48

Speak to the receptionist, they'll ask them to turn it down.

Parker231 · 07/06/2019 10:48

I think if you do the other people waiting would applaud and thank you. Someone has to take the first step

Yesicancancan · 07/06/2019 10:48

You don’t know why the parent needs a blood test and not all parents have support for child care.
It is very inconsiderate though and I hope you get seen soon.

Yesicancancan · 07/06/2019 10:49

Give the kid the head phones

KatharinaRosalie · 07/06/2019 10:49

Yesica there are 2 people there with the child

Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:50

As I said @Yesicancancan they're not on their own, although I fully understand invisible disabilities having them myself and they may need someone with them for that reason, but Baby Shark on repeat on full volume... Never how I'd choose to entertain my kids in public.

Thankfully though, they've just left the room! Perhaps they read my thread... Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:51

Think my headphones would be more of a chocking hazard than any use to such a young child lol

OP posts:
WatchingFromTheSidelines · 07/06/2019 10:51

Oh my goodness. Total nightmare.
I despise that song. I can't imagine hearing it on repeat when I am at a low ebb.

Flowers
Fevertree · 07/06/2019 10:51

Speak to the receptionist x

Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 10:53

If I'd got up I'd have lost my seat, it's way beyond capacity and I definitely couldn't stand for long today.

Perhaps they noticed the general despair in the room every time it started...

OP posts:
julensaor · 07/06/2019 11:27

YABU, they presumably have as long a wait as you with a small child to keep happy for the next few hours. Your frustration stems at your wait that you can't really voice to anyone and now you are focusing on them.

Petsr4life · 07/06/2019 11:32

julensaor There are other ways to keep a child entertained than inconveniencing 20+ sick people. OP hope you get seen soon Flowers

my2bundles · 07/06/2019 12:23

Have a chat with reception they will hopefully ask them to turn it down.

ellendegeneres · 07/06/2019 12:35

Jule, it’s obnoxious to put something on so loud that it disturbs others, how can you not see that??

Dana28 · 07/06/2019 12:42

Is there a ticket system?why not go to the cafe or have a walk if it's going to be a long walk. Maybe the child would be screaming without the entertainment so baby shark is the lesser evil. One adult might be needed to support the other. You can't know. Irritating yes, a nightmare no.

1moremum · 07/06/2019 13:07

newbies, if baby shark is that magic for calming the child then they need to run through their entire set of other options before bringing it out cause when the child tires of it they have NOTHING.

#voiceofexperience

Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 13:08

If it was a five minute wait then something like that would've been an irritation, but combined with significant pain and a two hour wait it's far beyond that in my eyes.

Having many medical appointments for myself and my kids over the years I've had to find ways to entertain them countless times, but I always try to keep disruption to other people from them to an absolute minimum.

OP posts:
Original poster
ceirrno · 07/06/2019 13:11

@Dana28 yes that's how I knew precisely how many were before me, and how many were going in to the right place. I was worried that if I left the queue might speed up and if miss my slot and have to start again. Before it got to me there were a fair few people who were no longer there when their ticket was called.

OP posts:
purplelass · 07/06/2019 13:36

julensaor have you just left the waiting room...? Hmm

hopeishere · 07/06/2019 14:16

People making a trip to the hospital a family outing amazes me.

I once took DS. It was 23 December. Mum dad granny and three children all came in. One child had an appointment. Why did they all have to come cluttering up an already packed waiting room.

Hope you're called soon.

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 07/06/2019 14:36

It's too late now. You're going to have Baby Shark stuck in your head for the next 6 months. It's stuck in my head just from reading this thread.

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