READING THE ROOM The week of doctor visits, fun as that was, finds me waxing about the state of bathrooms in public places. One would think a doctor's office with their fascination with infection, etc. would be pristine or at least looking cleaner than most. My Mom did say one needs to eat a certain amount of dirt in one's life to inoculate us from every little germ, parasite, worm. I am sure I had my share of less than sanitary play areas and did not die! Although I have become a little more fastidious in my advancing years I'm not a fanatic about it as attested by my house cleaner.
Second prize for cleanliness goes to the dentist's office. Interesting as they were the ones I had to lecture about wearing gloves when the bloodborne rules came into effect many years ago. They spend so much time cleaning, grinding, scraping and whooshing clients it kind of makes sense. It's in their office DNA. The surgeon's office was probably next only because they had multiple restrooms. Which as patients were waiting over an hour for their appointments, nerves got the better of them. No explanation was offered outside of a vague reference to "ever since covid"... My assumption is that we avoided routine visits and waited until the acute stage of whatever occurred, thus leading to longer appointments, leading to longer delays, etc., etc..
We became a united group once the receptionist apologized for the delay and started demanding pizza if the wait went past dinnertime. No riotous behavior, just good-natured ribbing. I must have added to the delay cycle as the waiting room was totally empty when we came out - but then I saw no less than three people, no four counting the one who took the x-rays. I do believe it was a cognitive exercise to be sure I told the same story, symptoms, treatments. The OH verified that I was consistent. We now have seven doctors in different stages/reasons of treatment so I don't dare turn off my phone or fail to answer any unknown callers. SPAM/SCAMS and I will now be friends.
Of course, when your appointment time is running late, there is the dilemma of do I try to make a quick run for the potty or will I miss my turn when they call (we are very competitive)? You could see gears turning, discomfort growing until a mad dash became inevitable. Always good to have a "wing person" for these moments. But that leads me to my next thought. As one is bored you rather notice how long they take. Did they wash their hands or not and do I want to be the next one in? No eye contact is crucial and mandatory under the circumstances.
DIGRESS: My doctor from my earlier young mother days was always late which he said was due to my own negative juju. He dreaded seeing my name on the schedule as he would always have an emergency that day that delayed our interactions-like clockwork. I started bringing work with me (before laptops and cellphones) to make use of the time. Thank goodness for the current ability to play on our phones!
BACK TO TOPIC But the worst restroom is the eye doctor's office. OMG. First, the waiting room holds about 20 people. And apparently, they all "held it" until they got there. Some multiple times. There is something about your action occurring on a still-warm seat - ewww.- that stymies your own deposit. No one appeared to make regular checks of the room as there was a pile-up of used towels and not-so-clean sink to contend with as well. This was the scenario whether it was an early appointment or later. I chose the cross-my-legs method of discomfort. There were some strategically placed bushes near the building in case of emergency. Same situation in the second eye doctor's office (we have different surgeons-same company) only the patients looked surgical and toxic with wheelchairs, walkers, bandages, eye patches, etc. Like a motley crew of elderly pirates. Us cataract people be old.
Now you're wondering who was number 1 for number 1 or 2. As our appointments took forever, eating out afterwards became a thing. The best bathroom, ta da, was the one at the upscale restaurant where we met friends for dinner. Especially gratifying was seeing a nicely dressed young woman checking the supplies and condition. She had a slight "attitude" look when I caught her as it was all beneath her (well, duhh of course the room is made to be beneath you). Though I do believe she was also the hostess which gives one pause. At any rate you could have nested and had dinner in the beautifully appointed "salon" and I appreciated her sharp appearance.
OTHER STUFF Is there a backbone available for rent for the GOP? Turtle man McConnel has now endorsed his favorite dictator. You would think when you're over 80 and ready to retire you can actually show some courage and speak your mind considering he totally condemned rump after his January 6 actions.
Now that Florida has totally destroyed diversity (with other red states panting to be next) I have to say I never would have had the career I've had if not for the company's willingness (okay maybe dragged kicking and screaming) to hire a woman for my first safety position. But the trick is, you have to do the job, probably better than the "usual" candidate, but at least I was given the chance. Funny thing though at my tender age of 22? I had no idea I was only given the chance because of new policy. My boss/es were very upset but, thankfully, did not reveal that little fact at the time. I apparently don't read "resentment" very well. There was no pointed distinction in my family of "boy or girl" jobs. Thanks Mom. Though I don't think I could pull off jumping in and out of the back window of the station wagon we used for delivery, your paper "person" turned out just fine. Though thank you for trying to take us back there Senator Britt in your GOP rebuttal to the President's speech. Going back 50 years seem like the right pathway to progress.
BACK TO BATHROOMS As I seem to have such a fixation for restrooms, I really need to go back and photograph Traverse City winery restrooms. They were all unique and beautiful. I really think a "Bathrooms of Wine Country" could do well. Peace out....💚 💙💛
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