What we have here is a failure to communicate

[gsh]

So I was in the waiting room while Pam was having a test for her acid reflux (test showed no major problem, only a couple of minor ones) and needed to visit the mens room. I looked in the hallway, didn't see one, so went up to the desk. A nurse/tech looked up at me, and I said "Excuse me, can you tell me where the mens room is"?

Nurse: You need to sign in.

Me: I'm not a patient, my wife is, I just need to know where the mens room is.

Nurse: What's your wife's name?

Me: Pamela M-H, but I just need to know where the mens room is.

Nurse: *looks at chart* Your wife is still undergoing the procedure, can you have a seat please, and we'll call you when she is finished.

Me: I'll be glad to have a seat, but can you please tell me where the mens room is?

At this point someone doing paperwork stood up and told me where I needed to go. Good thing, because shortly they would have needed a new nurse, after I had finished ripping the head off the one I was talking to.

What do you do when someone is *obviously* not listening to a word you are saying?

Comments

[magentametrix.livejournal.com]

Taking your last question literally, I'd give you the same advice we give the kids:
Use different words. "Toilet" probably would have gotten her attention!

[youvebeenpixied.livejournal.com]

When someone is obviously not listening to you and you have a full bladder, maybe the easiest thing to do may be to pee on them. Just a thought.

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

I was actually thinking the same thing.

Though, after "what's your wife's name?" I probably would have said something like, "Ma'am how is that relevant to me going to the bathroom?"
Or
"You can tell me where the men's room is, or I can pee right here. Your Choice."

Of course, I would have said ladie But you get the idea.s room.

[elkor.livejournal.com]

What do you do when someone is *obviously* not listening to a word you are saying?

(in a loud voice looking around) Can someone who will actually listen to what I am saying help me, please?

Whistle at them. It generally breaks through whatever is going on their mind and grabs their attention.

"Can I speak to your supervisor?"

[reedrover]

I don't think I would have lasted as long in the conversation as you did. I think about the "You need to sign in" part I would have probably started getting sarcastic. By the *looks at chart* part I would have started getting really loud - IS MY WIFE IN THE MENS ROOM? or maybe IF YOU NEED A MAP, I NEED A DIFFERENT PERSON. Or you could offer to spell out your wife's name in cursive on the rug for them...