I always turn up a bit early for appointment, and I just assume a waiting time for appointments as I start to clock watch after 5 minutes, 10 minutes, up to 15 mins is reasonable.
I say to hubby if he’s with me, “ooh 15 mins past the appointed time”
If there’s a a tv in the waiting room I watch that or I read stuff on my phone.
After 20 mins I start to get restless.
At 25 mins I would go ask reception how much longer.
So up to half hour I can tolerate as long as I amuse/entertain myself.
It would not encourage me much, if I wait a long time, to want to turn up early or on time for appointment. Maybe that’s what happens, others are late for their appointment then makes the whole day late.

The other day, we arrived at the imaging place for hubby to get a scan of the lump at side of his face to see if it can he removed easily or operated on.

There were a few patients already waiting before us. I thought, yep we gonna wait a bit.

Now I have a hearing problem, so I like reading subtitles on the tv, which just happened to be a tv with no sound but subtitles.
No one else was watching the tv.
There was a food thingy on about strange food combinations, like a choc chip cookie in between a burger, but one was so odd I said out loud (but I don’t think I am loud but obviously I am  ) actually talking to hubby …
“How would that taste? Peanut butter and beetroot on toast!”

And everyone looked up at the tv 
Then I said, I’m writing this in notes in my phone to try it out.
A few smiles all round.

No one wants to watch the tv with sound off.
It makes no difference to me as I always read closed captions.
Even at dentist last week, a beautiful big tv with scenic stuff around Italy …it was mesmerising.
I’m the only one watching. Everyone else is on their phone.






And

Black Orchid wrote on Oct 6^th, 2026 at 4:25pm:


Don't worry - I was so pissed off after a triple bypass operation, about the care etc, that I was prepared to walk out and head to my specialist and pay him outright... they learned a lot from my stay there for eight days... not least that they need to get their act together... when I ask if I can make the walk with all the drips etc for a real coffee at the cafeteria - a little creature comfort when feeling like a corpse -they need to make it clear they want a staff member to go with me and not just say, 'OK', then search for me when I went on my own.

I'm used to getting by on raw courage... and am totally independent, so if you say OK, the old bloke with the faded green beret will go alone.

I guess I was a difficult patient...

I have enough patience and I have no desire to work on my micro  suck.

I'm happy to wait ten minutes whilst Google a competitor who can sell me the same product or service then politely explain I'm unable to wait and leave.

On reflection of Greg post I will add to my politely spoken words when leaving could they ring me when they have an appointment available in the future.

Not that I have any intention of returning.  It just sounds nicer.

Thats an intelligent question.

My small coastal town is a nortously difficult nut to crack for anyone who isn't a local  ( minimum 30 years  lived here) to open a business in.
It matters nothing how deep your pockets or how willing you are to undercut your established "local " businesses.
Locals look after locals.

I am not a local and I am always prepared to give someone new to the area a go if they are brave enough to open their own business.

Perhaps that was part of the issue.  I am used to prompt professional service.

The Seachanger from the city was use to making clients wait to establish some sort of control over the dealing.

Have a nice day.