That's the new job title for the receptionist at my doctor's office. I found the term encounter to be surprising as I associate it with hostile or abrupt. I guess there was something politically sensitive about the word receptionist. sheesh!
That's the new job title for the receptionist at my doctor's office. I found the term encounter to be surprising as I associate it with hostile or abrupt. I guess there was something politically sensitive about the word receptionist. sheesh!
Real Fan since 1958
A new major available at UNC maybe?
“Before I leave I’d like to see our politics begin to return to the purposes and practices that distinguish our history from the history of other nations,
“I would like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We are citizens of a republic made of shared ideals forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it.”
-Patriot and Senator. John McCain
That's how I associate the term as well. My guess is that "receptionist" associates with the female gender and someone felt the need to accommodate either a feminist or a guy. An encounter indeed!Originally Posted by MickintheHam
We truly are the United States of the Offended
Last edited by badrose; 08-23-2017 at 11:12 AM.
Cool as a rule, but sometimes bad is bad.
I like the name. Why does an encounter have to be negative? I think it connotes more of a personal experience, and more attention than a mere "receptionist."
"Client Encounter Specialist." I sort of like the ring to that for my office. Hmm.
It doesn't have to be negative but IMO reception has more warmth. To put on even terms, which connotes more positively, Client Reception Specialist or, Client Encounter Specialist? To me, by contrast the latter sounds like someone with the task of fielding customer complaints.
Last edited by badrose; 08-23-2017 at 12:10 PM.
Cool as a rule, but sometimes bad is bad.
Yeah, I see your point. It does have more warmth.
I guess encounter to me connotes more than just "receiving" them--more of the entire experience. Sort of a "we'll take care of you from A to Z" kinda thing, versus just greeting you.
Nightclub Encounter Specialist
“Before I leave I’d like to see our politics begin to return to the purposes and practices that distinguish our history from the history of other nations,
“I would like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We are citizens of a republic made of shared ideals forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it.”
-Patriot and Senator. John McCain
I can see that as in, I encountered a guy on the bus who had me laughing all the way to my stop. In Mick's case, I see someone who says, Here's a cup, go urinate in it, place it in the designated window, and be seated until it's your turn.
Cool as a rule, but sometimes bad is bad.
You encountered Taylor Swift? How was it? Was she nice? Did she look as good in person as she does on TV?
See, I think of encounters like that.
From a doctor's office, "Let me help you get signed in. Next you'll be taken care of by Nurse Swift. When you return, you can check with me if you need a doctor's excuse to get back to work or school. Any other questions, let me know or call later."
Pipe dream, I'm sure.
I would say, I met Taylor Swift etc....or, ran into.
Cool as a rule, but sometimes bad is bad.
I suspect a lot of people would, but I don't find "met" appropriate, unless you were introduced to her, and actually, you know, "met" her. And ran into her? Well, you wish!
But I'm also wondering if there's a difference in whether it's used as a verb or a noun.
As a verb--you encountered (bad weather. Resistance. Hostility. All kind of bad things?) How many times do you encounter (good weather. Sunny skies. Friendly waitresses?) Maybe not as much? I probably have more pleasant encounters than negative ones!
As a noun--You had an unexpected encounter with Taylor Swift. She was speaking to a group in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital while you were visiting your daughter (that happened to me). I didn't meet her, but I encountered her.
I guess it just depends on the person and their perspective. But I acknowledge many may equate encounter negatively.
From Merriam-Webster:
"Definition of encounter
encountered; encounteringplay \in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ, en-\
transitive verb
1
a : to meet as an adversary or enemy
b : to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly encounter difficulties"
To me that does not describe anyone doing anything other than claims resolution or a conflict.
Real Fan since 1958
I view it way differently than that, consistent with the quoted portion. You come face to face with many people. Doesn't have to be a conflict.
By the way...I must be the outlier here. I'm not trying to convince anyone. Just I read it way differently than you two guys do.
Or else you guys are just crotchety, and I'm pleasant. But my wife would dispute that.
I can't deny being old, a point reinforced by my doctor this am. I did however pass the Alzheimer's teat
Real Fan since 1958
Maybe I'm just trying extra hard to be pleasant since I feel old and broken down. My shoulders are giving me heck trying to sleep. I'm not a good sleeper anyway, so having 1 or 2 torn rotator cuffs ain't helping.
Are the girls at the drive thru's calling you guys hun and sweetheart?
I mean with your wife along?
“Before I leave I’d like to see our politics begin to return to the purposes and practices that distinguish our history from the history of other nations,
“I would like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We are citizens of a republic made of shared ideals forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it.”
-Patriot and Senator. John McCain
I can't tell. I usually have my hearing aid turned down.
Count me as one who never attached a negative connotation to the word encounter. To me it just means a chance meeting.
The last time I was in a hospital waiting room there were several employees there that "took care" of the family members waiting on someone in surgery--what time it started, various stages of progress and recovery, etc. I would have no problem with thinking of them as "Encounter Specialists".
changing my signature to change our luck.
It makes me think of George Carlin and his point that as we move forward we keep diluting the language.
In WWI it was called "shell shock". simple, to the point, even sounded like what it was. in WWII it was a little longer, softer, less clear, it was "battle fatigue". By Vietnam it was "post traumatic stress disorder".
So now instead of "receptionist" we have "Patient Encounter Specialist".
I'm with Carlin. "Receptionist" seems easier and pretty straightforward.
People keep asking if I'm back and I haven't really had an answer. But now, yeah, I'm thinkin' I'm back.
I think its akin to the janitor revolution of the seventies when they marched on Adeka Corp industrial cleaning mfg. in Hackensack demanding to be called custodians.
Supposedly inspiring Bowie's lyrics in "Changes"
"Look out, you rock 'n' rollers"
Last edited by kingcat; 08-23-2017 at 07:10 PM.
“Before I leave I’d like to see our politics begin to return to the purposes and practices that distinguish our history from the history of other nations,
“I would like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different. We are citizens of a republic made of shared ideals forged in a new world to replace the tribal enmities that tormented the old one. Even in times of political turmoil such as these, we share that awesome heritage and the responsibility to embrace it.”
-Patriot and Senator. John McCain
Lordamighty. How'd did he get those Mason Jar Lids in his ears anyhow?
Nightclub Encounter Specialist
One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.
[QUOTE=MickintheHam;435407]I can't deny being old, a point reinforced by my doctor this am. I did however pass the Alzheimer's teat[/QUOTE]
That proves it, you are getting older...
One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.
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