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I expect everyone to be "friendly" as in decent and respectful.
I don't expect anyone to be "friendly" as in interacts with me like we're buddies beyond my actual friends. It's nice when they are, but I don't expect it.
Isn't that the whole point of your thread - that you're not getting that from the professionals you're dealing with and are complaining about it? Do YOU say, "Good Morning" to them and smile? You seem to expect an awful lot of others while offering precious little of yourself. Which is the norm for you, or so it appears. Your interactions with people in general seem to be continually fraught with dilemmas which leads to an inescapable conclusion.
I was making a joke!
Of course they are not expected to act all buddy buddy with me, I just wanted a simple smile or 15 seconds of small talk. I don't' want a robot.
I've worked with a lot of doctors over the years and have gone to many doctors, dentists, hair stylists, etc. Usually, if you engage them in conversation, they return it. Some are warmer than others, but I've never had someone not engage in conversation when I asked them a polite question or commented on something. I can't say that all doctors are friendly, but they are at least polite and courteous.
I can say that my personal doctor, dentist, and hairstylist are friendly though, because I am a friendly person, and I like a warm interaction...after all, I am the one paying their wages.
I just got back from the Dentist and while he seems perfectly professional, he had absolutely no personality. Cold as ice. No smile, small talk or greeting of any kind.
My family physician is the same. ALL BUSINESS. Very professional but cold as ice.
Went to get my haircut and the barber did not exchange any small talk at all, just cut my hair.
I understand these guys are busy and have a job to do but shouldn't they at least engage me in 30 seconds of small talk?
What are you small talk, smile or greeting expectations of your Dentist, Doctor, Vet, or Barber (Hair Stylist)?
As long as they aren't disrespectful to me I don't care what they are like.
It helps people loosen up if people are friendly, but me, I could do without most of the mindless chit-chat that goes on at the dentist, doctor's office, etc. I'm there to get what I need done and get out.
It certainly is possible to be professional but still make small talk. I don't get why some seem to think that the two are mutually exclusive. To me, a true professional knows how to put clients/patients at ease. For a lot of people (myself included) making small talk is a good way for people to feel at ease. I also think that many doctors/barbers/dentists are able to read people fairly well, and if they sense that someone doesn't care for small talk won't press the issue.
I don't want a lot of small talk with medical professionals, but I usually get it from hair stylists and or service industry types. It's part of the job.
Does that 15 sec of "small talk" really matter? Will you remember it later in the day. To be honest I could careless about what is going on with them.. I want to get in and get out.
I am just shocked at the number of replies from posters who want Doctors and Dentists to be robots with no warmth or caring to interact with them. Just shocked!
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