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Awkward questions you've always wanted to ask someone who works in a specific job...

1001 replies

PinocchiosLeftNostril · 08/10/2013 12:32

Grin

I thought this would be a good way for us to get answers to those awkward questions we would never dream of asking someone to their face in their place of work.

These are questions relating to my life that i would love honest answers to.

Hairdressers - When someone with bad dandruff/psoriasis sits on your chair, do you shrug it off, or do you quickly have a look to make sure it's not lice? Are you able to tell the difference right away or does it need investigating? And do you really want to know what my plans are for the day, or would you rather work in silence?

Teachers - do you get annoyed when parents write in homework diaries that a specific piece of homework was too tricky for their child? Do you take it as an insult to your teaching skills?

Waiter/waitresses - do you expect people to offer to clean up their children's mess before they leave, or do you just shrug it off as part of the job? If you're busy and haven't had chance to clean a table yet, and a new customer came up and asked for a cloth to clean it, would you be offended?

I'm a trainee SLT so not quite sure if I'm qualified to answer any questions regarding that line of work yet.

But i have experience working in a Subway sandwich store, a library, a gym and as a cleaner. So i can answer any cleaning, book or sandwich questions that are burning away inside you all. Smile

OP posts:
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gindrinker · 08/10/2013 12:40

OK - midwife questions
How much does size(height) of parents affect birth weight?
Is bump size relative to size of baby?
How can you judge age of babies at 12weeks if babies are all born at different weights? Is it to with the number of cell divisions up to this point?

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bdbfan · 08/10/2013 12:43

I run a coffee shop so can answer your question about tidying up after children.

It's nice if parents make an effort to tidy a bit, stack plates etc and apologise if its really messy. Wouldn't be offended if someone asked for a cloth if i hadn't had time to clear a table, but I would stop what I was going and clear/wipe table myself straight away.

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Wallison · 08/10/2013 12:43

Excellent idea for a thread.

People who work in bookshops - do you JUDGE?

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bdbfan · 08/10/2013 12:45

I'd like to ask teachers, do you compare siblings? And do you judge parents who do? Just wondering as dd1 is laid back, very hardworking and compliant, dd2 erm...isn't Wink

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foreverchanging · 08/10/2013 12:46

Front line health/care professionals, do you ever gag or heave when faced with sick or poo?

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cantthinkofagoodone · 08/10/2013 12:50

Gynaecologists - how do you cope if a lady has a smelly ladypart? Do they look ruined after childbirth?

I'm not a waitress but it really annoys me when people don't tidy up after their kids mess.

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ubik · 08/10/2013 12:51

I wurl frontline NHS but on

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InsertBoringName · 08/10/2013 12:52

Forever I can answer yours. I'm a SAHM now but was a nurse, have dealt with many a poo and vomit! Poo and wee doesn't bother me in the slightest. Vomit, I'm not over keen on Grin but generally can deal with it without letting my patient know. It was a bit of a challenge when I was pregnant first time round, I was a bit more sensitive to vomit. I remember having one patient in particular had an almighty vomit right onto me and I was >< this close to vomiting right back on them! Blush

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jenniferturkington · 08/10/2013 12:54

I'm a primary teacher. Definately wouldn't be offended by 'homework is too tricky'- all feed back is helpful. I don't generally have preconceptions about a younger sibling, experience has taught me just how different they can be!

Any dentists... Do you judge?i always feel terribly self conscious about my less than perfect smile.

Paramedics/nurses- where do you think drunk people who cannot look after themselves should end up, A&E?

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InsertBoringName · 08/10/2013 12:55

Oh, and just in case anyone asks, we see many many vaginas and penisis (peni??) We really don't care. Really really, they hardly register, never be embarrassed to be naked in front of your doctor/nurse.

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ubik · 08/10/2013 12:55

The phones and occasionally have to listen to someone vomiting in stereo or chat to someone having diarrhoea on the loo. Frankly I'm glad, as it's proof they are indeed conscious and breathing. I am also thankful I at the end if a telephone and don't have to experience it in RL. I don't know how nurses do it!

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OohDoctorDarcy · 08/10/2013 12:56

From a care worker pov I really struggled with vomit. Poo & wee not so much.

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GeorgianMumto5 · 08/10/2013 12:56

I compare siblings, yes, but only as a point of interest. I quite enjoy it when they're vastly different. In summary, I compare, but I don't judge and I would never think less of one/more of the other.

Don't know about booksellers, but as a librarian I was too busy to judge, yet friends confessed they saw me, went back and borrowed a highbrow book, just in case. Judged once - I was in the workroom, processing requests. It was quiet and one of the books I had to issue to a name I recognised (I'd taught her son, in my previous career). Had quick flick through book and there were aubergines going up arses. On that one occasion, I judged!

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TonyThePony · 08/10/2013 12:57

Forever, the only bodily fluid that even slightly bothers me is thick, sticky, stringy sputum but I can still eat my dinner after dealing with it Grin

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GeorgianMumto5 · 08/10/2013 12:57

Music teachers, can you absolutely tell how much practise has/hasn't been done?

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Bearfrills · 08/10/2013 12:57

People who cook for a living - do you take it personally if someone doesn't like their meal? And do fussy eaters piss you off? We once went for lunch with a relative who asked for the BBQ chickens and chips with no BBQ sauce, no cheese, no bacon and no chips Confused

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Adikia · 08/10/2013 12:58

i was a waitress, it is nice if parents make an effort but not expeced.
If they have young children who have dropped half chewed food on the floor/table, putting the food back on the plate so i don't have to touch it is better than leaving me a big card saying I love you! Im not bothered by clearing the rest of it up though.

And no I've never been offended by people asking for a cloth if i'd not cleared a table but did use to get a woman in quite often who would bring her own wipes because she felt we didnt clean properly which used to wind me up.

People who work in supermarkets - are you all genunely that nice that you smile and joke with my tantruming child and be all nice and sympathetic to me because you genuinely feel my pain or are you secretly getting as wound up by the screaming as i am?

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redexpat · 08/10/2013 12:58

Not quite a question but as I was removing my pajamas for the MW to look at my piles I muttered something about not understanding the appeal of their job. She smiled broadly and assured me that my piles were absolutely fascinating.

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LostInWales · 08/10/2013 12:58

Ultrasound for 12 weekers, they grow very uniformly at first, or at least the most uniformly to that point, after that it becomes harder and harder to get the measurements too as they grow too big to do crown rump length. I think, it's been a long time!

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MrsJohnHarrison · 08/10/2013 13:05

Adikia, mostly I sympathise with you and chat to your child because sometimes a stranger can stop a tantrum midway just from surprise - it works on my 2, so I give it a go with customers kids and it gives everyone relief from the shouting. No one likes hearing a tantrumming child, but I absolutely am glad it's not mine.
I only judge the parents who swear at their kids - sadly, have heard a lot of nasty things said to children. Sad

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BlackeyedSusan · 08/10/2013 13:07

as a primary teacher I wanted to ask how come parents did not have the time to read with their children in the evenings. I now know and am pissing off primary teachers in return by not reading ds's school book in the evening. (note the use of school, I do sneak in alternative reading in a different format and do his ot/salt and dd's ot and physio and homework and spellings)

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PeterParkerSays · 08/10/2013 13:11

I'm not a music teacher but they can tell how much practice has been done. DSis is learning to play the guitar as an adult and has private 1:1 lessons. Her teacher commented on how it's refreshing that she always practises because the teacher gets so many teenagers who say they practise but obviously don't.

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stargirl1701 · 08/10/2013 13:13

Teacher here.

No, the homework was too tricky is really good info. I think your child is able to do this at home without me. I need to know if that isn't the case.

Yes, I compare siblings but only out of interest. They are usually very different people. It fascinating on a societal/anthropological basis. Epigenics at work!

Dentists - how do you cope with grotty teeth?

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50shadesofknackered · 08/10/2013 13:14

I'm a nurse and honestly poo, wee and vomit don't bother me. However, I do struggle with phlegm! Mind you, as the above poster said, I can still eat my dinner after dealing with it Grin

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foreverchanging · 08/10/2013 13:17

50shades (and previous posters!) My friend (front line NHS) says the same. She's OK with poo/wee/sick but phlegm she can't cope with!

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