Unusual Phone Greeting

I was calling a dentist office to see if they can take me on as a new patient. (My new job is too far away from my old/current dentist office.) I dialed the number and waited. When someone answered, I heard the last couple of syllables of a conversation:

“. . . asshole. Hello, this is XXX Dentistry.”

I wasn’t sure I had heard what I thought I had heard, but I started smiling to myself in humor. Cowgrit, sitting next to me, cocked her head wondering why my face had that expression.

“Um,” I started, “are you taking new patients?”

“Yes, we are. Would you like to set an appointment?”

“No, thanks,” I said, “I just wanted to check first.”

“OK.” There was a pregnant pause, and then the receptionist asked, “Did you hear what was being said when I answered the phone?”

This confirmed that I had heard what I thought I had heard. I started silently laughing hysterically, and Cowgrit whispered, “What’s going on?”

I told the receptionist on the phone, “I thought I might have misheard, but your asking me about it tells me I didn’t.” I was rocking back and forth trying not to laugh out loud.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist said, “That was not professional, and I apologize. That is not the way we normally act here.” Her voice revealed her embarrassment.

“That’s OK,” I said, “I understand. I’ll call you back when I’m ready to set up an appointment.”

“OK. I’m very sorry.”

I hung up the phone and told Cowgrit what happened. “Don’t go to that dentist,” she said. I let out a full volume laugh.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com