I work as a receptionist at a long term care hospital, AKA a nursing home. For the most part it's very quiet (if not outright boring), and the people are quite pleasant. I've gotten to know quite a few residents and visitors over the years. However, I also have my share of 'I hate my job holy shit' moments.
First there's the creepers. I don't believe I have ever been hit on at work by anyone under the age of 50. It makes me very uncomfortable and there is nothing I can really do about it. I hate it when men hit on me at work because they know I can't really escape and I have to be polite about it. There was one guy who, thankfully, isn't here any more (unfortunately because his wife passed away last year), who used to outright sexually harass me. What pissed me off the most was that when I told someone about it, they told me to forget about it because it was 'just who he was.' Apparently you are not supposed to question a brazenly racist, sexist and all around horrible old man because he is Old and Set In His Ways. Eventually I had enough and told him to stop. He stopped for a week. *jazz hands*
My absolute favourite instances are the times when people try to take pictures of me. My favouritest was when one asshole actually did, without my permission! I was livid. At least the other guys, they asked first, some tried really, really hard to convince me to let them, one got a little upset when I said no, but this guy didn't give a shit. He went ahead anyway, even when I said 'no.' The worst part is that he was the friend of an employee at the time -- a woman I hated to begin with. All I got was a half assed apology from her. Yeah all right whatever. Who knows what happened to those photos.
Otherwise I've had my share of belligerent assholes, usually to do with parking. If it's one thing I've learned working here, it's that people really, really hate paid parking.
We have always had paid parking, but around three years ago, a separate company bought our parking lot (the same company that owns and regulates all hospital parking lots in the city), and therefore we now have jack shit to do with parking. It's all automated by a machine, and if you get a ticket, there is nothing we can do for you, other than explain how to contact the company and try and weasel your way out of the ticket. The rates barely went up at all; it's $1/hour, up to $4 for the entire day. A weekly pass is $15, and a monthly pass is $25 dollars. Compared to every other hospital in the city, that's a fucking bargain. If someone doesn't want to pay for parking, we also have ample street parking.
On top of this, we have signs everywhere stating that you need to pay for parking, yet you wouldn't believe the number of irate people I get coming in here and telling me that 'there are no signs anywhere stating that you need to pay for parking!' There are at least three big ole' signs in the parking lot right when you pull in, pointing to the machine, and then another one close to the entrance, and another one that is right in your face as you walk into the building. There is no excuse there. Y'all are either wilfully ignorant or y'all are lying to me, and I can't say I have much sympathy either way.
On top of long term care, our hospital also has a hospice unit. I understand that people aren't really thinking straight when they are coming here to visit their dying loved ones. I understand here. However, that doesn't mean I can just magically waive your parking ticket (even if I had the ability, which I don't,) and it certainly doesn't fucking mean that you can treat me like a punching bag. "I was just running in for five minutes!" Well, then, you should have parked in the 15 minute drop off/pick up parking right in front of the building. "It's terrible! You're profiting off of people's suffering!" I mean... no, but okay.
Some folks are just upset. I understand that. They look sad, but will calmly leave when I explain to them that I cannot help them, and this is how they can dispute the ticket. Some folks aren't that easy to deal with. There was one man who almost assaulted me over it, and I had to go fetch someone else to help diffuse the situation. Uncool.
Some people will give me every excuse under the sun as to why they cannot pay for parking. "I'm just dropping someone off." Use the drop off parking. "I don't want to." Okay, then park on the street. "I don't want to walk that far." ??? "I'm just not going to pay." Okay, but if you get a ticket, then don't come bitching to me about it.
They almost always do.
I have learned that people just want a scapegoat for their emotions, and unfortunately, I'm usually the first person people see, so I become that scapegoat. Doesn't make it any less miserable for me, though. I can understand it, but it doesn't mean I have to appreciate it.
tl;dr
bitches be crazy
