Waiting Room Etiquette 101: The Doctor Will See You Now

I don't know about you, but for me, some of the etiquette rules I'm about to mention always seem to happen in either my regular doctor (PCP), the dentist, or the the OB/GYN office. Never have I had a problem like these in my optometrist's office.

Remember that little thing called, manners? Here are some tips of the trade:

1. Cell Phones- Heck, we could use this one for a lot of places, couldn't we? Don't be on the speaker phone, keep it on silent. Does everyone need to know your night-life plans? Also, if you are listening to music through your phone or iPod, headphones or earbuds please and thank you?

2. Sick are we?- Whether you are your sick, your child is sick, if your doctor's office has a "well" and "sick" side, respect that. Do not take yourself or your children into the "well" side if you are ill. 'Tis the season, everyone is getting sick—no need for spreading germs.

3. Speaking of spreading germs- Find a trash can and don't leave tissues lying around. Really? Are we 5?

4. Be on time- It will throw off your doctor's schedule. See all those people around you in the waiting room? You don't know what's going on with each person and I would hope you wouldn't want anyone to become even more sick. Plus, you would be mad, too, if someone was late to a doctor's appointment and threw your scheduled doctor's visit time off now wouldn't you?

5. Don't eat in the waiting room- There should be a sign somewhere but think about it for a minute. Seriously, just think. You're in a doctor's office, people are sick, what if someone has a food allergy? Not a difficult concept, so you would think.

6. Be patient, patient- If your doctor is running late, please don't get angry at the receptionist and embarass yourself, it's not doing anyone any favors.

7. Control- Why do we go to the doctor? Because we're ill, we're not feeling well. If you don't have a babysitter and you must bring the kids with you, keep them under some control, at least.

8. Be Prepared- This kind of goes along with number six in some aspects but if you don't like the magazines they usually have at your doctor's office, bring something with you to kill time while waiting to see him or her.

Manners can go a long way. Be kind, be patient, and be prepared.