Feeling blah today!
By solxee
@sol_cee (38223)
Philippines
September 5, 2017 11:00pm CST
I gave birth at a public hospital twice. It’s government-owned hence you go home afterwards with a zero-balance statement of account if you have the necessary documents and everything. That’s the most important thing. It’s government-owned hence you don’t expect endearing hospital staff and the best quality service.That’s a bonus.If you get one, you’re lucky. If not, then so be it. It’s just how it works in my country and people get by.
It was Day 2 of my second childbirth and I was standing in a long line of harried-looking mothers (and fathers), waiting for the government guys to process our child’s birth registration.
A young lady in front of me, with her undone hair and pale face, was teary eyed while talking to the government staff. She wanted to name her baby, Tergent, saying it’s a special name with a special meaning for her and her husband, but the government staff laughed at her saying, ‘As in DeTERGENT? Who would name their baby after soap or something?’ And the other government staff laughed with him while adding more inappropriate jokes. I felt bad for Tergent’s mom, ridiculed by educated people who would have assisted her in a less embarrassing way. I stopped eavesdropping and zoned out. Human beings.
I don’t know if Tergent became Tergent. Or if the government guy succeeded in renaming him, shaping his future. I finished my son’s birth registration quickly, glaring at the person-in-charge for his tasteless humor and looked at the long line of harried-looking mothers (and fathers) about to be devoured by the government’s very own insolent sharks.
PS. I warned you. I'm feeling blah today.
20 people like this
21 responses
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
i know we have that habit of joining the names of parents to name a child to make it symbolic or unique (i had an officemate whose name was a combination of syllables from her mother's and aunts' names), but really they should have kept their opinions to themselves. it's not their problem. they're just processors, so just do their job.
4 people like this
@deazil (4723)
• United States
6 Sep 17
Terrible that they're allowed to treat someone like that, particularly a young woman in her situation. But I like the way you handle it. Your attitude seems to sustain you. Well written account of an unfortunate incident. Tomorrow's another day. I hope you feel better by then. 
3 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
6 Sep 17
It was wrong on the part of Government hospital staff to make fun of that lady regarding name of her child. They should not have indulged in this kind of behavior.
P.S. - Your post reveals that you are mother of two kids. I did not know it. I thought that you are a single woman. (Don't laugh please).
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
6 Sep 17
@sol_cee You are not married but you are very much married, fine enough
. Thanks for updating me. 
I have another doubt - Is your post about a Japanese Government Hospital?
. Thanks for updating me.
I have another doubt - Is your post about a Japanese Government Hospital?1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
suddenly, i remembered when i was the godparent of our neighbor who is also born the same date as mine. she is Jennifer. when we were in the church for her christening, a couple told the officiating priest that the name of their son is STARSKY (from Starsky and Hutch). [is my spelling correct?]
the priest asked the name 3 times, but when he finally leaned about the name, the priest said,"Starsky, Starsky, Pedro na lang!"
we all laughed, and the poor parents blushed. from Starsky to Pedro.
3 people like this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
9 Sep 17
@sol_cee no, because he is not a godson but a god daughter. she is Jennifer.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51513)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
Some people today were actually named after food! and it went well because they have successful careers after. They should have continued naming him Tergent. WHO THE HELL CARES what that Staff just said, just get on with the registration anyway.
2 people like this
I'd fight for the name of my child.
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
6 Sep 17
I understand what you mean by govt institutions... People are not usually polite.
But twice recently was pleasantly surprised when I went to govt hospital and found people responding pleasantly.
Same with banks etc.
For me though things are good because with the long years of teaching have got students mostly everywhere in town
Hope you feel blah free soon.
Sending you some dark chocolate virtually.
Wish they were real though
2 people like this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
6 Sep 17
Yeah, those uncultured people should be smacked at the bums. They are way so rude
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
6 Sep 17
Well..I don`t think it`s a "BLAH" but I guess, We can`t avoid people who don`t mind others reactions would be when they express their feelings about something..I usually, stay far away and not mingle with people with such behavior
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
6 Sep 17
@sol_cee ..Well.."BLAH" is nothing for me and no reason at all! 
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
6 Sep 17
I am sorry you do not feel well today.
That was a terrible story, what they did to that poor woman,
2 people like this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
6 Sep 17
One time, I also went to a government office to have a copy of my Birth certificate. I wrote my name in a piece of paper and when it's my turn. The officer in charge read my name loudly and she was laughing when she read it. Then I asked her why laughed, her reason was it sound like Satur - the other guy in the news. I corrected her on how to pronounce my name. And before I live, I told her this, the next time be professional because not all the time it's about humiliating people. You work in the government and you might end up nowhere.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
6 Sep 17
Oh wow. That is nice that there is a zero balance and all, but too bad it cant be a little more accommodating at the same time. That's too bad for Tergent - I think it's a cool name, unique. I hope that the man didn't convince them to change it. Yes. Some people indeed. I hope you're feeling better. 
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16052)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Sep 17
The government staff were so childish. They should have joked about it after she left but Tergent is a nice name.
2 people like this
