AIBU to report racist comments made by a couple the GP waiting room?

[rhomb]

At the GP practice this morning. The practice has screens around the waiting areas which come up with name of patient, medical staff and room number when called up.

I was sitting behind a couple who did a running commentary between them. They used racist terms on the foreign sounding names. Then when a name came up such as John Pearson “ooh a proper name”.

I moved seats as I got fed up with the racism. They decided to move (unsure why) next to me. Then carried on. I was in two minds whether to report them. The couple would know it was me that reported them.

I am sick of racist people.

Perhaps ask someone to explain the posts to you. To make it easier for you:

1 Racists are cunts

2 If you hear someone being racist then grow bollocks and pull them on it - don’t try to get a pat on the back for asking how you can report it after, knowing you can’t.

It’s a public conversation, not a private one. And most surgeries/hospitals/other public environments do have policies that prohibit hate speech and abusive behaviour. They deserve to be told they are no longer welcome and to find a new doctor.

I think we've established that she should have reported it at the time.

Was one of the names 'As if ' OP ?

😂😂😂 at the very least those rude patients should have been given detention.

I agree with no.1 not no. 2. You have no idea why she posted yet everyone just jumps on her. Bitter, angry lot.

So according to you it’s fine to do nothing and then post on MN but not okay to challenge people on saying something racist?

I don’t think you have to be a ‘superhero’ to speak up

So it’s better to not say anything and then post about it asking whether she should report, knowing full well it would be pointless?

Okay cool.

Yes that's what I said word for word 🙄

Not everyone feels like they can speak up, often people are verbally abused or worse if they do.

Sigh.... obviously not. However, she didn't, hence why she posted. Do you own a time machine?

You sound like a typical gransnetter. Reporting is practically an Olympic sport on there.

She didn’t want to report as they would know it was her. She said:

I moved seats as I got fed up with the racism. They decided to move (unsure why) next to me. Then carried on. I was in two minds whether to report them. The couple would know it was me that reported them.

So she was horrified but didn’t want to stick her head above the parapet? That is fine. But it’s the ‘ooh should I do something’ faux naivety that is the issue

That's their personal opinion, they weren't saying it directly to anyone to be offensive, you were actually eavesdropping, so who do suppose to report it to? If you did report it, say to the receptionist, what would you think should happen to them? Put you goody two shoes away and leave people to their freedoms.

Or maybe they don't care about the colour of anyone's skin, and are in no way racist, but were making stupid jokes about names that were unfamiliar to them.
They probably live somewhere until very recently everybody had 'proper English names', and they still find non English names novel. In England.

No, the "Have you seen how many foreigners are here Bernard? No wonder there's no appointments." "Quite right Margery. This was once a local GP for local people..." is the new disgruntled of Tunbridge Wells.

She was only prepared to make a stand if she could do it anonymously. She didn’t say she was frightened to say anything, she said she was in ‘two minds’ about it.

FYI, ‘pearl-clutching’ is the performative over-reaction to something in order to demonstrate your own high moral standing.

But I do apologise for using a phrase you found unfunny and unoriginal - I must try harder with my ticklestick as my only mission on MN is to have ‘em all rolling in the aisles…

If something matters enough to you, you can learn to speak up. More people should. It might make a difference. Posting on MN never will.

Probably only at home between themselves I agree - until they start home surveillance!!!

Are you a doctor? I am. Do you have any experience in Gp practice management? I do.

I did not at any point say they will investigate. The couple may already be known the gp practice as abusive or racist. This might be entirely in keeping with how they have previously behaved. They may well get a (warning) letter to mind themselves. If these add up, they'll be deregistered.

I’m sure it was, lots of us agree but we’ve all been deleted lol.

How do you know it's 'faux'? I actually pity your cynicism.

I don't like racism - hopefully most people don't - and these people were expressing racist views in public. Not shouting or directly abusing someone in particular (which I'd view as worse and definitely worth some kind of sanction) but enough to make someone uncomfortable.

The problem with policing the speech of ordinary people - people without power over employment/housing or whatever - is that it can easily be expanded. I think most people would agree that these people's views were unacceptable, but what if it was political speech? Support (or otherwise) of a political party? Views on HMOs being built in the area? Crime? Who decides what is acceptable and what deserves punishment? Is it acceptable to deny them medical care or refuse to serve them in a shop?

I think that we may end up with a less tolerant society if we're not prepared to put up with people expressing views that we don't like or that we find uncomfortable. We should be able to challenge those views of course.

Of course they SHOULD' I'm in agreement with that. She didn't at the time and now regrets it, she's allowed to feel this way.

Silly immature comment. I am embarrassed for you.