By Tom KandoYesterday, I went to pick up a prescription drug which my doctor had faxed to the local pharmacy. The pharmacy clerk asked me for my name, and I gave it to her - Tom Kando - adding that the prescription had been faxed in the previous day by Dr. Pollock. She couldn’t find it, so I suggested that she also look under “Cando,” with a C.
It’s happened more than once that when I give my name to someone in an office or on the phone, their brain goes on auto-pilot before I get a chance to spell my name, and I am forever entered as Cando. This can cause a lot of aggravation later, when dealing with the IRS, insurance companies, banks, airlines, etc. So I have learned, whenever asked for my name by some clerk, to reply as follows:
“My name is spelled K - A - N - D - O,” and then I say the word - “Kando.”
And sure enough: yesterday, as soon as the pharmacy clerk looked under “Cando,” she found my medication. She gave it to me and said, somewhat irritated:
“You should have given me the proper name in the first place. It would have made things a lot easier.”
I apologized for the inconvenience, but added that the proper name is, in fact “Kando.”
“I am sorry sir,” she insisted, “That is not your name. The prescription order form says that your name is ‘Cando’. ”
“My name is ‘Cando’?” I inquired, somewhat surprised...
“Yes, that is your name. Surely your doctor knows your name, doesn’t he?”
“You are absolutely right,” I said, trying to sooth her feelings, “my physician does know my correct name...”
“Then why didn’t you give me your true name to begin with? The one on the medical record. We can’t just go by all sorts of different names, you know...”
“True,” I admitted, “one can’t just go by all sorts of different names...”
Then, as an afterthought, I asked:
“By the way, can you show me the fax the doctor sent you, just to see how my name is spelled?”
“No sir, we are not allowed to do that, sir. The Federal privacy law.”
“I understand,” I replied, “privacy is important.”
I went home. It was a total defeat. I have to hand it to the clerk. She was a pro. She had me checkmated - on all fronts. leave comment here
12 comments:
This sounds like one of Dante's circles in Hell. It's hard to believe that people are so, what? Stupid? Stubborn? Controlling?
Ha!
Thanks for your comment, Ellen. I shared this experience primarily to show how Kafkaesque our world is. One can get angry and/or one can laugh. I do both, depending on my mood. But more the latter, as I get older and too tired for anger.
Hi Tom,
This would make a funny skit for "Sat. Night Live."
I have a somewhat similar challenge. I always spell out my last name.
Invariably the clerk will ask, "There's no E on the end?"
I'm tempted to say, "No, you idiot! Did you hear me spell it that way? It's the most simple spelling possible.
Why are you making it so complicated?"
Instaead, I patiently say, "No, there is no E at the end."
What's weird is to subsequently find the clerk put a U in the word. Some clerks will decide to add an E, anyway.
I've decided it's an illustration of a lack of listening. In your example, it looked like an opportunity for a clerk to go on a power trip.
pretty funny. Or "funny," almost unbelievable.
Thanks for your comments, anonymous. I agree. Saturday Night Live, or maybe Larry David. He would go with it and make it more explosive.
Could it be millenniums missing the meaning of "customer" and "accountability"? Glad to see you have a sense of humor about this stuff. It's really scary to see more and more of this 'attitude' out there these days.
Interesting story. For me it's strange that your physician uses such an old-fashion technology as a Fax. When my phys. send a prescription, he does so from his computer to the pharmacy. When I pick up my medicine I give my name and they ask my birth date. That'swhat they type in the computer and then they go and pick it up in a box with prepared medicines. So it's a matter of identification technologies.
This reminds me. If you are looking for a funny video to watch at home, check out "The Green Hornet." It's hilarious and Kato is outstanding as the Green Hornet's sidekick.
The temerity to dispute your name with a professional health official who has decided that you are Mr Cando....
You should take my humility as an example (and accept the wrong appellation, ed.)
I appreciate the feedback from anonymous, Paul, Scott and anonymous.
This post works a bit like a Rorschach: Paul takes it seriously enough to provide information about various communication technologies, Anonymous I sees it as a social commentary, Scott and Anonymous II react to the humor aspect. Excellent!
I share your frustration Tom. Do you know what people always insist on calling me after I tell them my surname is Kando? "Mrs.Candle"!
Juliette:
"Candle" can be construed as complimentary. You know, light, brightness, intelligence, and so forth.
Here, the mis-pronunciation is usually "Candoo," I am Mr. "Can Do." Store clerks and the like have fun with that. Sometimes I reply, "I sure can!"
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