Waiting time shouldn’t be a waste of time
Dear Heloise: I just had to write after reading a recent letter from a doctor. He is apparently the first doctor in the history of medical care who doesn’t make patients wait indefinitely and respects their time. Right. Here’s how the game is really played: The patient arrives at the appointment time, then waits an average of 20 minutes in the waiting room. The patient is escorted by a nurse to the exam room, where he or she waits another 20 minutes for the doctor. The doctor sees the patient for seven minutes and rushes out the door.
Why is it rude to use this waiting time however we wish? This is how my sister and I handle long waits at the doctor’s office: We chat on the phone, and the moment the doctor enters the room, we say, “Gotta go” and hang up. No explanation or goodbye required.
The above doctor is offended when he opens the exam-room door to find the patient on the phone. Please remind him that his patients are his customers, and that courtesy goes both ways. Judith R., via e-mail
Judith, many agree with you. Please note that the doctor said he would have to wait until the person finished the call. Hanging up as soon as possible is a good solution. Most doctor’s offices do their best to run on time. However, some patients are not on time, emergencies happen, patients may take longer than planned, a consulting doctor may call — it’s not a car wash. Tell your doctor upfront about important concerns — don’t wait until the end or when the doctor is on the way out the door! Heloise
Dear Heloise: Beware of credit slips printed on thermal printer paper. They fade over time (even if properly stored away from light and heat), rendering the store name, date and amount illegible. I suggest jotting the information, using an ink pen, on the opposite side of the slip. Better yet, redeem credit before the disappearing ink becomes a problem. Denine Phillips, Annandale, N.J.
Dear Heloise: If you buy, pay or send information via computer, at the end of each transaction there almost always is a confirmation page that you are instructed to print for your records. Highlight the whole page and copy. Open a word-processing document — I have an ongoing one titled “confirmations” — paste and save. No need to waste ink or paper, or have more paper clutter to file or shred. Most confirmations have a short “keep me” life until you receive the purchase, your payment is credited, etc., and can then be deleted from your document. Marian, Dallas
Dear Heloise: The mesh pop-up hampers are perfect for storing rolls of wrapping paper standing up. The handles on the sides make it convenient to transfer when needed. An easy, inexpensive, neat way to organize gift wrappings. Jean Milici, Torrington, Conn.
SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate