School Receptionists - A Law Unto Themselves?

[ItsAllaBitNoisy]

9.03am this morning I braced myself and rang the school.

ME: Hello, I think I have an appointment with XXX today at 2.30pm, I would like to.. [INTERRUPTED]

RECEPTIONIST: And what's your name?

ME: XXXX, I'd like to...[INTURRUPTED]

RECEPTIONIST: Right. Phone number?

ME: 01...

ME: I'm not sure if the appointment was ever made, as someone was supposed to ring back and confirm it with.. [INTERRUPTED]

RECEPTIONIST: Was this yesterday?

ME: Er no. It was a few days ag.. [INTERRUPTED]

RECEPTIONIST: Is it about work experience?

ME: Eh? No, it's about my child.

RECEPTIONIST: What's your child's name?

ME: XXX. (Giving up trying to speak at this stage)

RECEPTIONIST: Okay I'll get someone to ring you back to confirm it.

ME: No, I want to cancel it!

RECEPTIONIST: Oh? Well I'll get someone to ring you about the appointment.

ME (Speaking very slowly, and a little louder than usual): I RANG TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH XXXXX. THE APPOINTMENT WAS NEVER CONFIRMED AS YOU HAD SAID IT WOULD BE. IF THERE IS AN APPOINTMENT, I WANT TO CANCEL IT.
THANK YOU.

I then hung up before my blood pressure peaked.

-Everytime- I ring it's the same chaos.

She's your typical lady in her 60's who appears to think she runs the entire school. Glasses perched on end of nose type, while she peers over them looking at you.

AIBU to want to throttle explain a receptionists job to this woman? What would you do?

My dd's school has three secretary/receptionists. To a woman they are all bloody marvellous, but they are all very different personalities. One is as mad as cheese, very excitable and bonkers. One is very Swiss and serious but lovely with the kids and one is extremely anxious about everything being OK in the school. They really complement each other and the children love them. They all get a bottle of something grapey each at christmas from me.

sagger - here here!

Well Sagger, if you can't be bothered make a 2 min phone call for your childs school I doubt you can call yourself much of a mummy. And I'm a scatty mummy to. Always too much going on, headless chicken style.

I was just so please she acknowledged it was the morning after a rough night and I had still watched the clock to phone her. Maybe she was just amazed scatty mummy got it together to manage it.

Don't get me started on old receptionist though, i reckoned her screen thing was bullet proof glass for her own protection.

We have got a very grumpy and unfriendly receptionist at DS1's school. I don't think I've ever seen her smile. Everything is a problem.

However... I took my sister's dog with me to school one day, and tied him up outside whilst I got DS2 from nursery. The dog hates being left, so was yapping away. Came out to find receptionist cuddling him and comforting him. Obviously should be working in a dogs home not a school!

I would just want to agree with WahWah (Hi there WW - remember you from another sw bashing thread!) I think you are so right. The trouble is that for some people (usually women) who "service" professionals, eg. teachers, doctors etc. they must somehow feel inferior to the professionals and then this causes them to try to be superior with the public. This is something of an over simplification but I think this is at the root of some of these problems. I have also found (during the course of my work) some GP recps and school recps to be somewhat over protective of doctors and teachers and trying to arrange a time to speak with them it practically impossible. Of course I realise they are teaching/in surgery/whatever but some recps seem to take quite a pleasure in being unhelpful about allowing "access" to these people.

Conversely I have always found receptionists for opticians, dentists, solicitors, accountants etc very helpful. IS it just an issue for some receptionists in public service I wonder.

The 'not smiling' thing is a good point. Also about some parents being a PITA, but I bet most aren't, and it shouldn't be assumed they will be.

The receptionists, if you have to wait in reception, seem to spend an awful lot of time talking about their weekend, husbands etc, and then you get the Sigh and the Look when you dare to disturb them.

The people in the school who I've found to be always lovely, kind & helpful are the caretakers.