The other day at Orchard underpass, I overheard a conversation between two women:
A: “He asked me, so what time are you closing? I answered 5pm.”
B: “Then what did he say?”
A: “He said, then I’ll come at 5pm. I reminded him that we close at 5pm and he repeated that he would be coming at 5pm!”
B: “What an asshole!”
They said that kids say the darndest things, but some adults are equally capable. Back in Hougang, there was one patient who said exactly the same thing to us, except that we closed at 9pm. Then, there was one who came without appointment at 9pm. I told him that his dentures would take 30 minutes to repair. The hint ought to be obvious: “come back tomorrow”. But instead of apologising for troubling us at closing time, he actually said “I don’t mind waiting”. Self-centredness or just low EQ?
Then there was this patient who claimed to be my “loyal” patient even though I had no idea who she was. She called up many times and emailed me her xrays, asking for “advice” (=free consultation). After explaining a tentative treatment plan to her, I thought she would be satisfied and stop pestering my assistant, but she wanted to guarantee that the charges would not exceed $XXXX which another dentist had quoted her. I politely told her that a definitive treatment plan can only be reached after I’ve examined her in person.
At this point, she got excited. The rate I quoted must be considerably less than $XXXX. She tried to push it.
“Is that a special rate you’re giving me?” she asked.
“No, it’s the standard rate.” I replied.
“What’s the special rate then?” she asked.
I urged her to book an appointment.
“I don’t want to book an appointment now. Can you be sure you are around from now until the end of the year?” she asked.
“I’ll be around if I have an appointment with you.” I assured her. “If you don’t book an appointment, I can’t promise you that I won’t travel from now till the end of the year.
“I can’t tell you when I want to see you. Just be sure you don’t go anywhere from now until the end of the year.”
“?????”
“Will you charge me consultation? I’m your loyal patient, you know.” she continued.
“Yes, consultation fees will be charged.” I insisted, having no recollection of who she was by name or by voice.
“But I’ve already paid so much for consultation at DD Hospital.”
“????”
The foot is coming down! Yao mo gao chor ah? Does that mean I can charge you more if another patient didn’t pay me? Or do you expect me to charge other patients more so that I can charge you less?
So you see, there is nothing enviable about a dentist’s job. We deal with freaks like these on a daily basis. We’ve got the same kind of stress, pain and feelings of being downtrodden that you have. Probably even more. So the next time you see a nice and humble dentist, don’t accuse him/her of widening the income gap in Singapore. He/she at least deserves as much respect as you do. Enjoy your long weekend.
Check out my other updates at Dewdrop Notes and Knapsack Treks
