The first day of this month, a Thursday, found me manning the information desk of a doctor’s office building a mile or two from my house (I live in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). The building, within which 50 or more physicians ply their trades, is owned and managed by Jefferson Health, an enormous player in Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector. I’m part of Jefferson Health’s volunteer staff and have been putting in several or more hours weekly at the info desk for many years.
Visitors to the building throw any number of questions my way during each of my shifts, such as “Why is a grotesquely wrinkled, ancient f*cker like you working here?” Just kidding, of course, about that one. Or am I? Anyway, here are better and far more boring examples of the questions I field and respond to: “What suite are the pulmonary doctors in?” and “Where are the restrooms?”
And I also help people in a variety of other ways. On the Thursday in question, for example, a fellow asked me if I’d accompany him in the elevator to the top floor, where an appointment with one of his physicians awaited him. That was because panic sets in when he is in an elevator by himself. Normally he would take the stairs, he said, but he was having trouble with his knees. Only a prick wouldn’t have gone for a ride with him, right? Well, once in a while I can be a prick, to be honest with you. But I wasn’t in that instance.
Not only am I expected to answer questions and in general to be helpful, my employer, via a written job description, urges me to acknowledge visitors as they enter and leave the building. The point of this is to foster the impression they are in a caring environment. I do so with a high percentage of people, saying “hello,” “see ya” and the like plenty of times each shift, and commonly flashing a smile too. My actions almost always are reciprocated.
What struck me on the day I’m writing about is that many visitors beat me to the punch in the acknowledgments department. This probably has been true for years and years, but I guess it hadn’t registered with me before. Maybe the visitors were amazed and somewhat delighted to see a grotesquely wrinkled, ancient f*cker not only alive and kicking, but still in the workforce. In any case, many hellos, goodbyes and smiles came my way before I unleashed mine. Man, what absolutely floored me was an energetic and clear-as-a-bell “hi” directed at me by a baby with a pacifier in her mouth who was being pushed in a stroller past the information desk. That infant is on the right path in life! She knows how to get along with others.
Yeah, the vast majority of individuals I encounter at my Jefferson Health job are friendly, civil and polite individuals, at least on the surface. Maybe naively, this gives me some degree of hope for American society, despite the fact that the crude, repressive convicted felon named Donald Trump is, as always, hard at work spreading his poisons. The truth is, I consider myself fortunate to hold the information-desk gig. Like just about everybody, I’m a social animal. I enjoy being around people. I spend a huge amount of time solely in the company of my wife Sandy, which is time very well spent. But I regularly need wider doses of human contact. Who doesn’t? The volunteer job delivers that to me beautifully. I have no plans to hand in my Jefferson Health ID badge any time soon.
Apart from checking weather reports or an occasional glance at a traffic map, I try to stay off social media as much as possible. That said, when I stumble into some of those sites and emerge feeling like I need a shower, the best way to set things right is interaction with real people. Even a smile for a grocery store stocker or a “Good morning!” from the UPS driver is enough to remind me that the real world beats the online world in several very important ways — as your experience as a volunteer proves.
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People need people!
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As someone who has wandered through many a medical building, I thank you for your service! Seriously, you never know what fears, doubts, or even grief people are dealing with in that setting (or anywhere, actually), so your kind , human presence makes a difference. Liz
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Hi Liz. I like this job and am fortunate I found it.
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When we boil your actions down to basics, you are exercising kindness.
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Hi. I think you’re right.
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What we would have always called common politeness does make our lives more pleasant. It has become less common, I believe, and your efforts to keep it in vogue are most certainly worthwhile. Like you, while out walking, I greet every person who comes against us on our route. It surprises many to hear a greeting and regularly brings a smile to people’s faces. Yes, worthwhile!
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We have nothing to lose by saying hello to others!
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A smile and greeting or even just a nod or wave can ease life along in so many instances. I would have gone with the elevator-discomfited guy, too. Cheers.
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It was my good deed for the day!
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Great going! The work that you do, not only keeps you connected, but of great help to the common folks seeking ‘simple’ info 🙂
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It’s a low-key job, but I find it rewarding and enjoyable.
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What a fabulous role to do! And yes, most folks are lovely, pleasant, polite and kind (it’s a pity more of them aren’t in charge of the world).
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Yeah, too many jerks like Trump are in powerful positions.
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Hey there Neil, I volunteer at the local hospital. I work in guest services, checking people in for their blood tests , MRI, etc…. And I wear a Three Stooges necktie each time I’m there. It creates a good time in an otherwise downer place. I get a comment every 9 patients. That’s about 400 or so the year I’ve been working there. You may want to track down a tie like mine and see what happens. All the best. Jerry
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Hi Jerry. You know how to make people feel better!
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It’s wonderful that you’re volunteering your time to help people who may be nervous, scared, or confused. That’s just got to be satisfying for you, and I’m sure it’s invaluable to legions of people.
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Hi. I started this job in 2010. It’s a pretty big part of my life.
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You’ve written about this volunteer job in the past and I enjoy reading your experiences. This was great (until you had to throw politics in–dang! I know–it’s your blog) and I loved the attitude of the people. There is a lot of goodness in people, isn’t there.
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Hi. A high percentage of people are helpful, caring and kind, I think.
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I just had an electrical problem in my house–a big one. My handyman can usually take care of these, but he was stumped. Still (I’m getting to ‘kind!’) he never quit. All is good now at a fair price. Amazing attitude.
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I think that you’re well suited to this position Neil. You are a kind man.
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Thanks, Deb.
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I very much enjoyed reading about your volunteering job, dear Neil. For many people, it can be quite daunting going into hospital, so I am sure they love having someone to show them the way and put them at ease when needed. It only takes a friendly nod, smile, or quick hello to improve someone’s day and make the world a better place to be. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Hi Aiva. I appreciate your comments a lot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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I love the part about the baby greeting you! I appreciated hearing about your volunteer job again. It’s good that you’ve found an outlet for your social nature.
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That baby amazed me!
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I wanted to LOVE this post, but I had to settle for only a LIKE. Your blog always brings a smile, even though I’m not walking past your info desk!
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Many thanks, Lori.
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Sounds like it is a good idea to keep you out in society, Neil. Fun post
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Thanks, John. I appreciate it.
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😊
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Your piece has me thinking, “Maybe I should volunteer at a hospital reception desk.” I need to stay busy, if only to battle depression, and smiles and hellos might help my self esteem! Also, if my aging organs give out, I won’t have far to go.
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Pete, I bet you’d enjoy a job similar to mine. It’s pretty rewarding and kind of fun.
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Having just been to our small town No Kings rally, I agree that people are more than ready for a return to decency. No politician is perfect but some at least try to be decent.
I’m sure no one is thinking “what an old fart” when they arrive to a friendly face at their doctor’s office!
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Trump doesn’t try to be decent. And he gets away with just about everything. He’s repulsive.
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nice to read it
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Glad you are back in the saddle again!! Enjoyed the blog until you mentioned the t curde!😂🤣
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Hi Joyce. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hey, being old is probably an asset in this case. People feel comforted when a wise and kindly grandparent is at hand. However, it bothers me that with the most expensive healthcare system in the world, (we pay our doctors and medical administrators two to three times more than in Europe), the compassion part of healthcare is handled by unpaid volunteers. I’m overstating my point but you get the idea.
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I agree with you, having lived in Spain. At the same time, nurses and many doctors are very compassionate. (Our daughter is a nurse.) But, yeah…with all that money rolling in, Neil needs to get paid! 😂
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Hi. Maybe I’ve just been fortunate, but I’ve had caring doctors for quite a few years.
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It’s great that you still have your information-desk gig. You must be doing something right 😀
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I hope I don’t get fired!
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Every old wrinkly person has a purpose in our weird and wonderful world 😉 Good on you, Neil; I’m sure the visitors and staff appreciate it.
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One thing for sure is that the job gets me off my living room sofa!
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A win win situation.
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A perfect job. Agree, it’s nice to get out, meet new people and help them.
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Your comment is right on the money!
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Nice post. I love the story of the articulate and friendly baby. And how good of you to accompany that man in the elevator. Being claustrophobic, I am not a fan of elevators. So I can sympathize.
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That baby seemed super smart. She probably will be reading at age two.
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Good on you for volunteering. I help out with a number of social clubs, but when I retired I decided I didn’t want to be committed to someone else’s schedule again, so have not done any volunteer ‘jobs’.
I will agree that the majority of people in most countries are good, decent people, even if they are sometimes grumpy at what life is throwing at them. The small minority who believes they are entitled to whatever they want no matter how they get it, unfortunately get the majority of the air-time and publicity. harming the perception of the general standard of the culture.
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You make some excellent points, and I appreciate your taking the time to add them here. Thanks very much.
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I enjoy volunteering too – it’s good to have a purpose!
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Thumbs up to that!
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What a heartwarming and delightful post! The story about the baby greeting you with an energetic ‘hi’ is so cute.
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I couldn’t believe that baby. She blew my mind!
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I think it’s great you’re volunteering and doing something that hopefully improves someone’s day. A random smile or hello can make a big difference to some folks.
As for grotesquely wrinkled…I’d rather say well-weathered!
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Well-weathered has a nice ring to it!
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I’m like you, Neil. Retirement allows old geezers like us the chance to get out there and help others through volunteering while getting a chance to socialize.
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Hi Pete. I wonder how many people have volunteer jobs in the USA. Thirty million? Maybe more.
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A nice way to get your social fix and also be reminded there’s more nice people than not. A shame there “nots” are so much louder but i believe they are still well outnumbered but us”not-pricks”
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Hi. There’s a high percentage of very decent people, for sure.
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How refreshing! I’m always pleasantly surprised by politeness, as it seems to be fading from our lives.
The poison and betrayal Mr T is spreading about Zelensky are disgusting, and I have to say that I admire Zelensky for sticking it out for this long and handling the recent betrayal professionally. He has so much compassion and humility. Having volunteered in Ukraine for 4 months a couple of years ago and planning to return next year, I think I can voice my thoughts.
You have to ask: why has he done a flip and sided with the other liar? I believe Mr P has something really bad against Mr T.
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Trump and Putin are evil.
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It sounds like you are getting back as much as you are giving. Sounds like a good match. Maggie
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Hi. What you say is very true. Take care. Thanks for stopping by.
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I have long been convinced that I am gifted much more by volunteering than I give.
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Hi. I feel the same way. This job means quite a lot to me.
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Volunteering is always fun
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It’s a fruitful way to spend time.
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Sounds like you’re good at your volunteer job, and I think people will appreciate your presence! I know what you mean about needing some social contact and this sounds like a great way to make new acquaintances.
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Hi there. The job definitely suits me. I enjoy it.
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Keep doing it – good for the visitors and good for you. I put in two shifts per week in a local charity shop/goodwill store that funds our local hospice. I love it and have many interesting conversations per week with customers. I’ve also made lovely new friends amongst the staff and volunteers which I didn’t see coming when I got to retirement age. Always lovely to do a job too which is not purely for the monthly pay check – they are not always the best.
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Hi. Your volunteer job sounds excellent. And it’s a tremendous bonus to have made a bunch of new friends there.
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I have spent a fair amount of time dealing with The Health Care Blob over the past couple of years, and can agree that the volunteers are often a high point of the experience.
Which has started me wondering why they don’t hire and pay people like you. You put a human face to an increasingly inhuman system. That would seem to be worth something.
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You raise a good point. But they are happy, I’m sure, to save money by not paying retired people who are looking for good ways in which to spend their time.
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Thanks for reminding me that we all (even a baby in a stroller) have the power to make the day of someone (even a stranger) with a fleeting positive interaction.
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