Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Take a Bow

So last week my day started with a real gem of a client, a young woman who has changed her name so that it is the same as an aging pop superstar; we'll call her Material Girl, or M, for short. And she has named her Yorkie puppy after a designer, we'll call him Prada.

I go in the room and M. is on the phone, wearing her ghetto shades. She looked like this:

That's not really her, of course, or Prada, but it is a dead on dramatic reenactment by one of our receptionists. (Love you, Sandra!!)

M. is clearly much more important than us, since she cannot make eye or ear contact with us during the exam. So, I pick up her little dog and start to examine it. He's only 5 months old, but he also thinks he is more important than me and tries to bite me during the entire exam. They are both total divas.

During the exam and vaccinations, M. continues her crucial phone conversation, which goes like this, "Yeah, I took the day off..... Are you going to that wedding?... Me, too... Did you see her outfit?... I thought it was so cute!.... Yeah, Prada is being really bad at the vet's... Uh huh, can you hear him?... Anyway, about yesterday..."

Finally, I've finished with the dog, so I lean over and say, "I need to talk to you now." M. gets off the phone and glares at me through her shades. "Your dog has 5 baby teeth that haven't fallen out. Its actually a common yorkie problem. They need to come out because the teeth get crowded, causing periodontal pockets and dental disease. But don't worry; we can take them out when we neuter him."

"Oh, I'm not going to do that," she huffed.

"Really?" I said, "That's too bad, because he has some pretty bad behavior issues today, and it would be a lot easier if he were neutered."

"He's not like that at home. He's only like that here. I'm going to take him to a Dog Obedience class."

"Well," I said, "He still is going to have to come here for veterinary care. Do you think you could come by with him once a week--"

"I'm not going to do that. I'm taking him to dog obedience."

"No, I mean just come by here once a week for free, stop in, let the receptionists pet him and give him a cookie. It really helps to--"

"I told you I'm NOT going to do that! He's going to dog obedience!"

Now I was steamed. "OK, I can see you don't want my help. I was trying to do something for you for free, but I'll just make you a new estimate for pulling the baby teeth."

I left the room, then returned with an estimate for extractions and a handout about why the teeth needed pulling. M. was already back on the phone. I showed her the estimate, and she tossed it on the table saying, "Yeah, that's never going to happen!" Was she talking to me, or her friend on the phone? I don't know, but I left as soon as possible, and the door may have slammed on my way out.

She stayed on her phone in the reception area, saying, "That f'ing bitch said my dog had a behavior problem. I should have slapped that ho!" M. told the receptionist that I didn't even give the vaccines, and the poor girl came back wide eyed to ask me what happened. I said, "Tell her she didn't see me give the shots because she was on the phone the entire time. If she's not happy, she can have a copy of her records and go elsewhere."

She took her records, and declared she was never coming back. Don't worry, M., we already marked your record as "Persona Non Grata." And your little dog, too!

10 comments:

Laura said...

The reenactment is priceless. Congratulations for firing a customer in such a tactful manner.
I hope she ends up in an obedience class with an instructor who expects participation!

mainlyclearskies said...

Wow. Her kind of behavior is amazing and I hate that they get away with it. I don't even want to think about her having kids someday.

mr man said...

Zot. That wiener needs a good biting. I admire your restraint. When did your clinic become like the cosmetics counter at JCPenney's? Don't you guys screen your clients?

Lest you forget in your fleeting moment of ire, Je plaisante.

Unknown said...

Woah,what a waste of oxygen.
My word verification is "vainged" Indeed!

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe the bad manners of that ###### you are well rid of her,Jennifer.

A.Norma.x

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so funny. Love the photo!! Sadly, people not in our business think this is a rare problem...WRONG!! I won't even stay in the exam room if a client is talking on the phone...unless they are awaiting a kidney or something.

Nanc said...

This happens in our office, as well. Some people have unbelievable manners! If a client is on their phone when I enter the exam room, I stand and look at them without touching their pet until they end the call. If they continue to talk for more than one minute, I ask them to return to the waiting room until they're ready so the next person can be seen. I do this very politely, as if I am trying to 'respect their privacy'. haha They usually get the message...and if not, they are more than welcome to take their business down the road.

The Library Lady said...

Gee, and I thought we only got crap like that at the library(!)
Just consider yourself lucky you CAN tell her to go elsewhere. I'd get in a heap of trouble for telling one of our fine citizens to take their little geniuses elsewhere if they don't like our policies!

And I'd call her a bitch, but that would insult all female dogs everywhere. So I won't.

Feh, a little toy doggie named Prada. Tells you a lot right there...

premenopaws said...

How do people get that way? So wrapped up in their own little world, and so completely unaware of how rude they are, to the point where they truly, truly believe others are being rude to them instead. It boggles my mind. (Fantastic photo reenactment!)

Leigh-Ann said...

Wow. Just... wow. My mother would kill me if she thought I was ever disrespectful to *anyone*, and I'm 43 years old.