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.

Old? Where did you get that from? Your own prejudice?

She is allowed to feel this way. She allowed to visit MN to say how she feels. But she looks silly and uninformed.

Why do so many people not believe the OP? Genuinely!

I have heard people say eg there are no English shop assistants any more etc. So I believe this happened. It’s quite low level racism and probably happens more than you might think.

i want someone to do something when someone goes to the doctors and has another person making racist comments about their name.
Depending on what was said it might be a Racially aggravated offence under the public order act that was committed in a public place so you could report to the Police?
I’m unsure why it wouldn’t have crossed your mind that someone using racially aggravated words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in public might be a matter for the police but I suppose we’re all different.

I very much doubt a GP surgery could or would remove patient A because patient B claimed they were making offensive remarks. It would be different if a patient was heard by staff or was racist to staff but they won't act on hearsay from a member of the public - for all they know the OP is malicious, mentally ill or hard of hearing.

It’s a hate crime. Which needs addressing regardless of how much people like you roll your eyes whenever racism and ableism is rightly called out.

I'm not sure the police would do anything about an overheard private conversation, after the event, no matter how offensive it was. Unless you know better?

It’s totally irrelevant to the GP service.

Thankfully it's not.

"I'm sorry, but we can't treat you for your cancer"
"Why?"
"Because you said something we don't like!"

This is what people saying to remove them from the GP surgery list are basically saying.

Yes I don’t see a point in sharing this on the internet, as much as I oppose racism. Count the surgery do anything?

Wilful ignorance. The mind boggles.

But it is irrelevant. People sat in a waiting room conversing, only overheard by one person, is not going to have much leverage. OP might go to the receptionist and say the couple were being offensive with names. Reception goes up to the couple to address it. Couple denies they said anything. What then? Unless the surgery has a recording device strapped to the chairs, or others heard them, then really it’s just a bit pointless. Not pleasant, but there’s all kinds of conversations I’ve heard which I wish I hadn’t. Just remove yourself from earshot.

And doubtful it happened. OP was probably bored and decided to throw a grenade and run. Hasn’t been back, and don’t think she will.

They're sad racist wankers, but there's noone you can report them to. If you get called in before them, tell them they're pathetic.

It absolutely is. Two people discussing surnames and their Englishness in the waiting room might offend you but it’s not a reason to deny them NHS medical treatment.

I’m very sorry for you that your experiences and beliefs have brought you to your opinion. My experiences have brought me to a different conclusion, both may be valid but one is accepting of others and one isn’t.

Oh come on, they will be feeling extra jovial today after voting Reform yesterday. Let them have die being bitter racists.

You crack on. If she had been that offended she would have spoken up instead of running to MN to ask about reporting. I don’t know what your beef is but if someone says something offensive then it’s down to people to speak up or shut up.

Report to whom? The thought police? It was a private conversation the op was eavesdropping on?

I was agreeing with you! I'm sorry that it didn't translate that way. I've been the victim of a hate crime and the perpetrator has been charged with racially aggravated harassment. I am currently going through hell, waiting for their first court appearance next month. Please believe me that I was agreeing with you - there are some very narrow-minded people on here.

When they came and deliberately sat next to her? No, that's intimidation and also stops being a private conversation. It can be very hard to call out racism - and I can attest to that. It doesn't mean that anyone should be ridiculed for how they feel.

You want to report them to who? And you expect what to happen to them?

Reporting is something that anyone should feel safe to do. The person reporting has no control over what happens after that and that should not be on their conscience!