#ringbellforservice

[doctorblacklight]

Ring Bell For Service

A call bell is used to summon an attendant or give an alarm or notice. $

[hannahfons]

Encyclopedia of Badassery, Entry #103- Okay, which of y’all ruffians left this on the trash bin outside of my place this morning!? Because it made me snort-laugh in front of everybody. 😂👍🏻 #encyclopediaofbadassery #badassbutton #ringbellforservice #coincidentaltrash

[laurencodyblog]

For Whom the Bell Tolls….

Lauren Cody

 Upon arrival at a doctor’s office for a consultation appointment, I notice that there is no one in sight. I enter a large, sterile room with waiting room chairs, outdated magazines and dusty fake ficus trees tucked into opposing corners. The only signs of life I can see are a few shadowy outlines behind a sliding glass window at what appears to be a sign-in counter. The glass window was closed, frosted and even had a bit of a wave to the pane which distorted the shape of the person on the other side even more. Next to the clip board where I penned my name, appointment and arrival time was a small bell and a sign that said, ‘Ring Bell for Service’.

 I have encountered this awkward scenario before – in fact my OB/Gyn also has the infamous sliding glass window, bell and sign as does my PCP. However, at my PCP’s office – they have the added feature of iron bars over the glass. The fact that they are somewhat decorative does not quash my unease and is somewhat disconcerting when I let my mind wander as to why they feel the need to keep me on the other side of the iron bars.

 So when I glance down at the sign and bell at this doctor’s office, I am faced with a decision in which I have never been comfortable. If I ring the bell, (as instructed), will it be shockingly loud, and somewhat startling to the nurse on the other side of the glass? If I tap on the glass – softly, instead of ringing the bell, will ‘Nurse Ratched’ be annoyed or angry because I didn’t follow the instructions? How many times a day does she have to endure glass – tapping instead of instructed bell ringing?

 I have an appointment. I am expected to be here at this time. I only want to see the doctor, but to get to where he is - I am forced to awkwardly deal with this uncomfortable exchange first. So if I just stand here and wait to be noticed without making a sound – will the troll under the bridge finally notice me through the distorted glass and associate me as a creeper – or even worse, Chuck Manson’s evil twin? Maybe the iron bars are there for a reason after all!

 So while I contemplate what to do – (and faking a loud sneeze to draw attention did in fact cross my mind), I force myself to do as instructed and ‘Ring Bell for Service’. After ringing the bell, I instinctively take 2 steps backward to put necessary distance between myself and the distorted blob that has been seemingly oblivious to my existence for the last five minutes…

 Afterward, in hind sight, I think I have been able to clearly identify the problem. I believe that all along it has simply been a breakdown in communication. I mean, when I read the posted sign that instructed me to ‘Ring the Bell’ it mislead me to believe that if I rang said bell, I would in fact, receive the desired service that brought me here in the first place.

 When in reality, that is not at all what transpired. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe I was naïve to assume that the usage of the word, ‘service’ meant that they were there to ‘serve’. At any rate, I believe that clear and proper wording of the instructional sign will alleviate all apprehension in the future with the obvious disconnect between patient and registration designee.

 In my humble opinion, the sign should have read:

 “Ring bell for service. It’s the same principal as honking at someone in traffic. People respond well to it, and they seem to really enjoy it. And if you are thinking about tapping on the glass instead, I urge you to reconsider. Our registration staff may get violent, and if you do not pull your knuckles away from the glass quickly enough, we cannot be responsible for their actions. In addition, please do not silently hover over the registration counter, or press your face against the glass in order to get noticed. Our staff has the FBI on speed dial. In fact, the best way to get service from our staff is to accidentally get noticed upon arrival when we have nothing else to do – are completely caught up; the phone is not ringing; have had 2 pots of coffee; a lunch break; and a nap. If your arrival does not meet these criteria, please turn around and leave.

And as always, thank you for choosing our facility for your medical needs.”