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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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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When we boil your actions down to basics, you are exercising kindness.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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I think that you’re well suited to this position Neil. You are a kind man.
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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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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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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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Sounds like it is a good idea to keep you out in society, Neil. Fun post
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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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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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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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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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It’s great that you still have your information-desk gig. You must be doing something right 😀
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