My roommate drove me to the hospital last night so that I could get stitches on my left hand. Though all of my housemates look out for each other pretty well as “stick together to survive” is our cardinal rule*, I’m totally gonna get him a bottle of whiskey for the effort, especially since it was late at night.
But being in a hospital reminded me of something particular — as I’m Filippino, a lot of my extended family work in the medical industry. Aside from having the chief exports of mechanical parts and electronics (myself included), garments, and food products, I think one should also consider the human resources generated by my motherland. If any of you work (or in some cases like Evie, volunteer) at a hospital or in the medical field, chances are you’ve worked with a Filippino. Because the country’s bilingual nature provides an easy transition to English speaking countries, nurses and doctors come from the Philippines all the time. Usually, to take care of Americans. Probably Canadians, too.
Walang anuman.
Ok, so I have lots of family in the medical field, that’s established. But as that’s the case, I think I’ve spent a lot of time in a hospital for someone who hasn’t had a lot of health issues. Some people hate hospitals because of the sterile coldness of it, but I’ve come to be pretty comfortable with it. Yes, you are usually there because you’ve got a problem, but people are people and all workplaces have a culture, and if you can get along with that culture, you are better served and treated.
Also, just as a general life rule, it’s important to try and make people smile. Why? Because life gets easier when the people around you are happy. And it’s really not that fucking hard to not be an asshole. Try it, it pays off.
In any case, a couple of funny instances, even as I needed my sliced-open hand to get repaired:
Doctor: (slightly distracted, reading a file) “When it heals up, anyone with scissors will probably be able to help you get [the stitches] out. Preferably a medical professional or someone with medical experience — a medical professional with scissors.”
Nico: “So which do I find first, the scissors or the medical professional?”
[laughter]
At patient check-out:
Front Desk: “I should note that sometimes when we’re trying to get people processed so that they get medical attention, some details that don’t affect the actual issue slip so that you can see a doctor, but they’re easily fixed and we’re fixing it right now.”
Nico: “Fix what?”
Front Desk: “We filed you as a female. We’re so sorry, but don’t worry, we’re fixing the record right now.”
Nico: “Hey, as long as the problem gets fixed, I don’t really care what gender I am.”
[laughter]
My point is, being hospitable in the hospital reminded me that if you know you’re dealing with the service industry in any capacity, it makes their respective jobs easier and they treat you better if you’re not a jerk. This is seems like it would be common sense, but it constantly surprises me how often people feel that they’re entitled when they’re a customer. Wielding money isn’t an excuse to be a shithead.
Besides, you never know if you can get a laugh out of them. And who doesn’t like to laugh? Ok fine, misanthropes, but nobody takes those people seriously.
___
*L4D reference.
