nursechick Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Had a terrible day at work capped off by one of my patients (in the middle of a consultation) saying "I've got to tell you this...Your glasses are really annoying me,the nose bridge is not even,its slightly over to one side.!!He then proceeded to show me where while I was still wearing them.He said he had a "thing" about straight lines.Honestly there is nothing wrong with them but even if there was,would any of us really say that to a stranger. It beats me that people think they can say anything to what they percieve as a Public servant.Of course I had to be terribly polite and laugh it off and have since thought of a hundred retorts;none of which I would be able to say without getting the sack. I may have been a nurse for 30 years but people surprize me every day. Just to be on the safe side I'll just check the mirror again...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 how rude! was he compus mentus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursechick Posted May 7, 2008 Author Share Posted May 7, 2008 Supposed to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Plus these things always happen on an already not good day don't they? I think the patient was the one with the problem not you, and a retort wouldn't have helped, although it might have felt like it! It would be rudeness if they were aware it was rude, but I'm guessing it was someone without an understanding of those social skills and also with a compulsion. I seem to have this happen a lot to me in the shop. An angry man commented on the "Good Buy" notice in the window, saying he was deeply offended at it saying "Goodbye" when he was just entering the shop. I started laughing thinking he was joking but he wasn't. I managed to keep a straight face & turn it around but the manager was trying not to have hysterics as he couldn't think of an answer at all. Retorts are good if it's plain rudeness. Years back my bro had a Saturday job on a cheese counter. Mrs Snotty said "Young man, I don't think your hands look very clean" to which he replied, "Well, I dont think your are! Hope you have a better day tomorrow, & take no notice, there's a lot of it about (it follows me everywhere! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Sounds like some-one on the edges of the obsessive compulsive spectrum, with a sprinkling of Aspergers thrown in. It takes all sorts. If you are happy with your specs....who cares what anyone else thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Sounds like some-one on the edges of the obsessive compulsive spectrum, with a sprinkling of Aspergers thrown in. That was my first thought too, Egluntine as my son has Asperger Syndrome. He's quite unusual because he's very sensitive about saying the wrong thing to people but most sufferers will say things without realising that it might upset someone as they say exactly what they think. They can also feel very uncomfortable if something isn't exactly right in their eyes. A friend of mine has a daughter with AS and she has to leave the mixer tap in the kitchen pointing at exactly the right angle or her daughter gets extremely upset because to her, it's "not right". I would imagine this chap had a similar problem and didn't realise that his comments would be hurtful to you. He was probably just expressing his frustrations that it wasn't right to him and was stressing him. Don't let it get to you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I was thinking Aspergers too. I work with a lot of kids with Aspergers and if I took personally every comment they've made over the years, I'd have no self-confidence left . They can either make personal comments or they aren't aware you're there at all - I was once off work for 6 weeks with a broken bone in my hand and severe bruising to my face. They never even noticed I'd not been there and when I popped into school it was fascinating the difference in reactions between the staff and pupils when they saw my face . Shock, horror versus no reaction at all . So, don't let it get to you - I'm sure your glasses look lovely even if they are squint . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 It's amazing how many adults you spot when you have a bit of knowledge that are potentially on the spectrum! (There is one argument that we are all of us on the spectrum somewhere. I have a thing about how the wardrobe door has to be shut at night, and I mustn't be able to see a mirror, or I can't sleep). A family member of my husband's can only eat his dinner if he can have a little bit of everything on his fork at once, and if he runs out of one thing, he can't eat any more of his food! He also has reduced social awareness which is another classic sign. It hasn't stopped him having a high flying career though! Personally, I think it all adds to life's rich pattern, and the world is a much better place where we are all a bit different [/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I also immediately thought that he must have been on the spectrum (my son is aspergers as well), although his biggest trait is rules and not breaking them- especially if other people are he gets most upset. SOunds like this chap's comment was the last straw for you though- hope you have a better day today!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 what an interesting thread this is turning out to be. It must be horrible to have to see straight lines everywhere. Give him spaghetti for his lunch Hope you have a better day today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I am sorry you were the victim of such a personal remark. I think we all get very nervous in hospitals, I know I do, I hate going to them and I am so nervous that I sometimes say stupid things just from nerves Never personal remarks though. I am stupidly claustrophobic I can't bear being in a room with the door closed ( I would take all the doors off in our house, but DH refuses ) being in a doctor's consultation room is a nightmare for me. I also have a 'thing' about venetian blinds, if they are angled in a certain way it makes me very anxious and I HAVE to get up and change them, this has caused me embarassment on many occasions. Otherwise I am normal Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I also immediately thought 'Aspergers' Our son is confirmed but we are almost certain that my OH is one also. I saw this Edward Monkton card a while ago & thought it so appropriate that I bought it. OH has it proudly displayed on his desk at work! He is an engineer by trade so he can indulge his trait to his hearts content! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 love that monkton card, I've been a fan of his for ages. This is a favourite of mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Hey I'm another one with an Asperger's teen! He isnt compulsive about order (you should see his room) but has a couple of obsessions that can be difficult to explain. Adults find him charming and love the quirky way he talks but other kids can be very unforgiving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 My son has an obsession with light switches....that all have to be pointing in the same direction...especially if there are 2 switches on one panel. He also goes round switching sockets off at night. Very annoying if you have left your phone on to charge. We don't let him get away with it as it was taking over everyone's lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Hey I'm another one with an Asperger's teen! He isnt compulsive about order (you should see his room) but has a couple of obsessions that can be difficult to explain. Adults find him charming and love the quirky way he talks but other kids can be very unforgiving me too. Son gets on really well with younger children and adults, but his peer group is another matter entirely! Nursechick - I hope you are having a better day today. I'm sure most days you wouldn't have given the man's comment a second thought. (In fact very few people's glasses ever sit straight as our ears aren't symmetrical) You deserve loads of credit for not giving a witty retort, it would have been lost on him anyway! Anyway you nurses do a fab job (I tried it once and couldn't cope so I became an accountant!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 He isnt compulsive about order (you should see his room) but has a couple of obsessions that can be difficult to explain. Same here - very messy bedroom, totally disorganised but obsessed with watching sticks, gloves, strings etc when he twirls them round and round with his hand. OK at 5 years old but difficult to explain to others when he's 17. Adults find him charming and love the quirky way he talks but other kids can be very unforgiving Absolutely the same here. He's delightful but has few friends of his own age as Mutrix Farmer also says - good with smaller children and adults when he's not having a shy moment but very awkward with his peers. It's sad and breaks my heart sometimes that he's not able to interact with others but I'd not swap him for the world as he's a smashing boy and I'd much rather have him as he is than some streetwise lad that I have no idea where he is or what he's up to. NurseChick - keep on smiling . I hope it's not been such a bad day today. I know how hard it is to keep a cheery smile on your face while you have to put up with silly comments and when your feet ache when you've had a long, hard day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 My son has an obsession with light switches....that all have to be pointing in the same direction...especially if there are 2 switches on one panel I do that too I also can't stand seeing pictures that are squint I can't bear to see people chewing gum either Can I join the corner with all of us oddbods in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I can't bear to see people chewing gum either I'm with you on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Can I join the corner with all of us oddbods in it I think all of us will be in that corner Louise! We all have our funny little traits, i cant stand it if curtains arent shut properly and a gap is left at the top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Seeing as it's confession time..... I can't bear it when OH leaves drawers just a tad open - it's harder to do that than shut the darn things fully . Also have a particular routine I must follow for brushing my teeth. Have to stack the dishes on the drying rack in a certain way or it bugs me. *Sighs* ... that's better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 We all have our own quirks, that's what makes us unique Apart from Lesley. You should see her in a card shop. Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 (There is one argument that we are all of us on the spectrum somewhere. [/b] I'm on of the people who think this. I also think that males tend to start slightly further up the spectrum than females. (thats not supposed to be a criticism just something I've noticed over the years) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Start running now Christian But before you go you have to give more detal than that - come on spill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I like all the tins in the cupboard to be facing the right way. I also hate it when people don't shut doors or drawers properly and my two are terrible for it. My name's Helly Welly and i'm a bit odd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
