The obvious answer is, like, stupidly obvious. We are all here because we’re readers, right? So isn’t that the number one thing to do in any situation where there’s time to kill? I don’t tend to carry books around with me these days, but I have several ebook apps on my phone with access to hundreds (if not thousands) of books at the tap of a finger. I also have at least four audiobook apps with downloaded books just waiting for me to pop in my earbuds. So I always have options for reading in pretty much any situation unless my phone dies. And I may have a phone charger in my bag as well because I’m a bit paranoid about ending up without my phone.
Other than the obvious, though, I also like to observe what’s going on around me. Like last time I was at the eye doctor at least two patients that I witnessed were told they couldn’t go in for their appointment because they hadn’t gotten a referral from their doctor, despite it being printed in large red print on their appointment card. I sat there feeling a combination of bad for them, but also frustrated that the office doesn’t call patients two weeks before their appointment to remind them since clearly this is a common issue. Then when I was at the doctor I saw an elderly gentleman come out. He must have been in his 90s, he was using a walker and moving very slowly. His wife was waiting for him in the waiting room. His daughter, who had accompanied him, went to the counter to sort out a follow up. While she was doing this, the couple headed for the stairs. The wife took his walker and he was about to start up the stairs when his daughter noticed him and told him to stop and go around the front door that is on level ground. He looked back at her and then booked it (well, as much as is possible when you’re a 90+ year old who can’t move faster than your average turtle) for the stairs as she rushed after him, admonishing him at increasing volume, “Dad stop! That’s not safe, Dad! That’s dangerous for all of us!” I could understand her concern, and I know she was genuinely worried he might fall backwards onto someone else. But I couldn’t help secretly rooting for him – it’s not every day you see a runaway senior citizen!
What about you guys? I’m guessing a fair number of you also make sure to have reading material with you in these kinds of situations. What else do you like to do?
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The fewer other people in a waiting room, the better…a busy city hospital’s emergency room is always full of drama, and all but guaranteed to be full of enough airborne germs to make the patient sicker. But one does overhear bits of some interesting stories.
Yeah, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in hospital waiting rooms, and they are not my favourite. At least now there are more people wearing masks, and my own N95 blends in a bit! Most of the stories I’ve overheard have been pretty sad, so I try not to dwell on them beyond sending good wishes to the ailing person.
Why am I not surprised that reading and people-watching are popular choices? Oh, right, it’s *this* crowd… I do love having a kindle, since it’s sort of a library in my pocket. No chance of running out of things to read!
Haha! You’re not wrong. I also love having a large selection, because I rarely stick to whatever I thought I was going to read, so having a choice is very reassuring!
Yup, something to read, or listen to in the form of an audiobook is definitely a great way to while away the time.
Definitely my top choices! I don’t know what I’d do without audiobooks, especially when it’s not a quiet waiting room. The earbuds help drown out the noise as well!