Thursday, March 31, 2011

Language Barriers

OK, so I have a really neat friend. What I love most about her is when we are together we find the funny in EVERYTHING.

She works for a doctor in the front office and she regales me with tales from the phone. A recent conversation with someone who speaks English as a second langauge went a little something like this.....

My friend: Thank you for calling xyz doctor's office. How can I help you?

Lady: I would like to make an appointment.

My friend: Sure no problem, I just need to get some information.

(Gathers some info like name, address and phone number)

My friend: And what insurance do you have?

Lady: Penicillin

My friend: I'm sorry, what insurance?

Lady: I'm allergic to penicillin

My friend: I will make note of that but can you tell me what INSURANCE (she's using the voice, you know, the one you use that is loud and slow because you are hoping by going loud and slow they will understand better) you have?

Lady: I don't have any.

My friend: OK, no problem. I just need to let you know the first visit will be $145.00 dollars and any further appointments will be $75.00.

Lady: One Forty Five?

My friend: Yes, $145.00 dollars.

Lady: 1:45 today?

My friend: No, ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE DOLLARS (in THAT voice again)

Lady: Do you have anything cheaper?

My friend: (Silence at first) Ummmmmm, no ma'am. That is the cost of the first visit.

Lady: Click

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17 comments:

  1. Cute story. I could tell you stories. I work in a surgery center. The nurses in preop have to make pre assessment calls to our surgical patients and one day they called an elderly man and asked him his weight. He says, hold on and clunk. A few minutes goes by. He gets back on the phone and states his weight. He had to stop the interview to go weigh his self. he he. I am following from the hop. Hope you can visit.
    God Bless,
    Shelley

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  3. This is too funny, Cassie! Especially the part with the cheaper appointments:) hi hi Oh and you missed out the rest of the conversation.. it could have gone something like this: " -What if I just get half of the appointment.. I can talk real fast. Would then be cheaper? -No ma'am, that's the cost of the appointment. -But what if i would just peek through the office doors and tell the doctor what my problem is from there.. would then be cheaper? -Oh yes, of course, if we do it that way we can slice the price half off." .. hi hi
    Oh and don't forget to join in with us at Boost My Blog Friday today, to meet lots of friends and have a great time:) See you there!
    Happy Friday

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  4. Hello! New follower from blog hop. Would love for you to follow me back :-)

    http://fulloftipsmama.blogspot.com/

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  5. Hi Cassie, Love this story! I run into this kind of stuff all of the time... especially with my friends from Uganda! I wanted to thank you for your feedback on my blog. You'll have to let me know what you think of the lemon cookies :) I hope you like them!

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  6. That's funny!! I speak 3 languages and still struggle with some people's accents (my mother-in-law, who has a Persian/Armenian accent and Indian).
    Btw, I'm one of your newest followers from Social Parade.
    Have a great Friday!!

    Lala
    http://esmerlala30.blogspot.com/

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  7. Funny! Funny! Do you have something cheaper? Crazy. Do people really thing that going to a doctor's appointment is going to be a bargain?

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  8. Hi, following from Boost My Blog Friday. Hop over and say Hi if you get a chance http://wedemeyerfamily.blogspot.com/

    LOL, I used to be a travel agent and went through a lot of that. People asking about the bridge to Hawaii, etc.

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  9. too funny. new follower

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  10. So funny! Were your newest followers from blog hop! Hop on over and follow us back!

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  11. "1:45 today?" ... "do you have anything cheaper? lol!

    I'm your newest follower!

    http://www.hello-tiffany.com

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  12. too funny! your newest follower from UBP!

    stacey @ maple bacon & beavertails

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  13. That is funny. When I worked from reception those kind of conversations would happen from time to time. When I would here the click I would feel relieved that the conversation was over. Cute story! Stopping by from the no rules blog hop!

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  14. Stopping by from Social Parade. New follower, love for you to swing by and follow back. Have a good weekend Thursday Two Questions

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  15. Hahaha! This is too funny. I can definitely relate. :D

    Anyway, I'm giving you the Stylish Blogger Award. :D Please stop over my post to view it. Thanks! :D Have a nice day!

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  16. LOLOL....too funny! I love it. I have had some doosies of phone calls with parents on the phone. I am a school secretary and have heard and seen it all. People will say the funniest things!

    Btw, I'm a new follower, so please do stop by and follow :-)

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  17. Too funny! My mom has been a nurse since 1960 and she has all kinds of crazy stories. She has mostly worked in the O.R. and always calls me when they are removing something strange from some place it shouldn't be (think lava lamp and then think about the least likely place you would put it...yeah, gross...and true).

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