I’m curious if my reaction to a certain event is appropriate or perhaps too sensitive. Opinions welcomed.
I had to go to a health clinic yesterday. While I was there, a young woman (probably mid-late teens) was there to have blood drawn. She was scared of the needle and was not being co-operative. The nurse was very short with her: “Stop being a baby!”, “I don’t have time for this! I have other people to see!”, “Will anyone out there hold this girl down for me?”, etc. The girl was also complaining because those of us in the waiting room could see into the room, and that made her embarrassed. From my position, I couldn’t see the nurse in question, and I was called away for my own appointment at that point.
I had to go back today. I had my daughter with me who was being a bit hyper. (Not too bad, actually, but I like to nip it in the bud in certain circumstances–like a doctor’s appointment.) So, I was warning her about behaving. The nurse who was to see me told my daughter she had better behave because she had many people to see and didn’t have time for this. I suspect it’s the same woman as yesterday.
Anyway, when we enter the room, the nurse tells my daughter if she does not behave, she will have to leave the room. Then as I’m undressing and laying myself down on the table, she asks if my bindi is a piercing. I say no, it’s a bindi, south asian women wear them. I also have mehndi on my chest and shoulders and she asked if they are tattoos. I explained mehndi to her.
I am not south asian; I am a white person. So she asked me if I am interested in that culture. I said yes. She then said, “but they are completely subservient to their husbands and have to do whatever they tell them to do. They have no freedom.” I just stared at her. She then reiterated that message, and I responded that I do not agree with that opinion.
She did the procedure (which involved me being naked from the waist up) and it was uneventful. Then as I was getting up to dress, she said, “wow! Did you ever get a lot of stretchmarks from having your daughter!” I have no idea why she would say that–it’s rude, plus, I don’t have that many stretchmarks, I don’t think. And they are so old (from when I was 13, not from giving birth) that they are nearly invisible.
As I stood there in my skirt and bra (not yet having put my shirt on), the nurse opened the door and left the room. Thankfully, only one person was sitting in the waiting area (and it was a woman), but that woman saw me in my bra. I tried to cover as best I could and then quickly dress.
I want to complain about this woman. She offended me on several levels. Am I being too sensitive here?