Pharmacist Is Unfazed By Entitled Customer Wanting To Get A Lower Price And Be Addressed As Doctor, Puts Him In His Place
Interview With Author
If you’ve watched Scrubs, you’ll probably know that one episode where JD pointed out how doctors sometimes are patients at hospitals. And that means they will always try to somehow undermine their actual doctors and diagnose and treat themselves.
Despite the possible skepticism we might have of the things popular TV portrays, turns out medical doctors can be troublesome as patients. One Redditor recently shared their story of humbling one such doctor who wasn’t having any of his very mortal existence as a patient.
More Info: Reddit
Believe it or not, doctors can be patients too, but, more often than not, they are a bit of a hassle, and that’s all because of their MD status
Image credits: Nathaniel Yeo (not the actual image)
And one such patient-doctor had to be humbled a bit because of they took their status a bit too far. And messed with the wrong pharmacy tech
Image credits: u/skiprecon777
When the doctor demanded to be called Dr. (when things weren’t going his way), he was quickly silenced with a “you’re not my doctor”
Image credits: Kampus Production (not the actual image)
Redditor u/skiprecon777 was recently reminded of this story and decided to share it with the r/pettyrevenge Reddit community.
The story goes that OP used to work as a pharmacy technician. Every once in a while, they would encounter patients who also happen to be doctors. For the most part, they tend to be quite entitled, nearly demanding VIP status and total subordinance.
One such wild character—Mr. (Dr.) Smith—appeared in OP’s pharmacy. The whole issue arose over insurance deductibles that OP knew very well were applied to the total sum, but the customer-doctor was having none of it. The real culprit was that folks never truly understand (or sometimes even read) their insurance policies, and this would often happen in the beginning of the year.
But OP was definitely in the right, and Mr. Smith was still having none of it. To a point where he just couldn’t take a no and raised his voice in response to “Mr. Smith,” saying “That’s Doctor Smith.” Well, OP was having none of it either, so they simply replied with “You’re not my doctor.”
A heart-piercing silence suddenly dominated the room. Everyone stopped doing what they were doing up until that point and lowkey turned their gaze to the borderline Mexican standoff at the counter.
After a moment or two, Mr. Smith pulled out his card, paid for his prescriptions, and slinked away, dejected and defeated.
Image credits: Tbel Abuseridze (not the actual image)
“I saw him one other time a few months later when he was again picking up a prescription. The interaction was very limited and formal, but I still called him Mr. Smith. He didn’t correct me. (He was actually a MD, by the way),” OP elaborated in an interview with Bored Panda. “He may try it with other people but he never did with me again.”
Now, it is important to note that not all patients and customers who happen to be medical doctors are like that. Sure, a good number of them tend to be, but OP confirmed that not all are rotten to the core like Mrs. Smith was.
But when it happens, it happens, and OP noted another instance of a doctor going above and beyond their status:
“I did have a follow-up story about another doctor. Basically, in all retail pharmacies, there’s a line the doctors call on to give verbal prescription orders to the pharmacist. It’s an option on the automated system when you can [call] the pharmacy.”
“One time this woman called in on the line and when I answered she started requesting her own prescription be refilled. I put in the refill order and after it was completed I gently made it clear that the line was for doctors only.”
“Her: ‘Well, I am a doctor.’ Me: ‘Oh, well, I understand, but you’re not calling in the capacity of being a doctor, you’re calling as a patient. This is a line for doctors to call in prescriptions for their patients, not a special line just for people who happen to be doctors.’ She took offense and demanded to speak to the pharmacist.”
Image credits: National Cancer Institute (not the actual image)
The post drew a bit of an internet crowd as it got nearly 8,000 upvotes (with a 94% positivity rating) and a Reddit award. Oh, and speaking of crowd, folks commended OP for their swift comeback.
Many pointed out just how strong the “do you know who I am” energy was with this one, adding that you can also see this in online bookings as they are also the same group of people to add “Dr” to their name to orders.
Others shared stories and experiences, also playing a bit of a devil’s advocate and explaining that the remainder of doctors actually try to hide their status. And it might be also because they are decent human beings, but mostly because they don’t want to be asked for medical advice as it often happens when someone hints at their MD-ness.
You can read the post in all of its context on Reddit here. But before you do that, why not leave some of your comments on the story as well. Mayhaps you’ve had experiences with entitled doctors? Let us know in the comment section below!
Folks online found this absolutely satisfying as far as petty revenge and humbling goes, giving the post nearly 8,000 upvotes
'Doctor Smith' is the correct form of address, not 'Mr Smith'. Whilst 'doctor' is a job title, it is also personal title, like Revd, Sargent, Lord, Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx etc. The response of "You're not my doctor' is totally beside the point. The patient's title is 'Dr'.
I have friends that are medical doctors. Among myself, my two brothers, their wives and my husband, five of us have PhDs in the sciences. None of us and none of our doctor friends insist on being called doctor outside of work. People who do are usually d**ks.
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The Dr had no right to demand the op to call him that . I have several friends who are Drs. I only call the elders Dr out of respect. You see, respect is earned. If you demand it, you won't get it.
I think this is where being Australian is ideal. The other day I saw a specialist and as I was leaving the office I said "Thanks Mate" and walked out. Just call everyone "Mate". None of this Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Reverend nonsense. Just MATE.
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'Doctor Smith' is the correct form of address, not 'Mr Smith'. Whilst 'doctor' is a job title, it is also personal title, like Revd, Sargent, Lord, Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx etc. The response of "You're not my doctor' is totally beside the point. The patient's title is 'Dr'.
I have friends that are medical doctors. Among myself, my two brothers, their wives and my husband, five of us have PhDs in the sciences. None of us and none of our doctor friends insist on being called doctor outside of work. People who do are usually d**ks.
Load More Replies... The Dr had no right to demand the op to call him that . I have several friends who are Drs. I only call the elders Dr out of respect. You see, respect is earned. If you demand it, you won't get it.
I think this is where being Australian is ideal. The other day I saw a specialist and as I was leaving the office I said "Thanks Mate" and walked out. Just call everyone "Mate". None of this Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Reverend nonsense. Just MATE.
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