Nice Guy 101: Attention to Details

[amul]

I'm making some calls to be sure I can have the most complete set of STI testing done before I run off again into the world (particularly before I visit Mirage). While talking to Planned Parenthood, they referred me to the Lakeview Health Clinic.

Can I have that number?
"Actually, I think the number we have for them is wrong, but you can look it up."

I made a few more calls to general resource numbers, wanting to make sure I knew what to ask for. I learned about a few options I hadn't been aware of (for example, free vaccinations) but I kept being referred back to the Lakeview clinic for the actual tests, and twice they had the number.

After I was done with all of those calls, including a verification call to the Lakeview Center, I paused, shrugged, and then called Planned Parenthood back.

Hello, I had called earlier regarding STI testing?
"You weren't talking to me. Is there something I can help you with, or would you like to speak to the same person again?"
Actually, it doesn't really matter. I was calling because she had indicated that you guys weren't sure if you had the correct number for the Lakeview Health Care Clinic, and I just talked to them, so I thought I'd give you the correct number.
"Oh.....thank you!"

The note in her voice was.....I don't know how to describe it. I could tell that she was going to tell people I had called. I don't know if I was the nicest thing that had happened to her today, but clearly those extra 2 minutes I had spent were going to spread kindness and goodwill throughout her institution. It felt nice.

It felt really nice, and I was just about to brag about the act to a friend that I'd been talking to on IM just before making the calls. I'd been telling her all about my weekend. She had replied while I'd been on the phone, with these words:

"And how was my weekend? Why, thank you for asking!"


~facepalm~

So absorbed in being nice to all these other people, I had spent the entire conversation talking about myself, and then ignored her while making my calls. *sigh* So much to learn, so many habits left to break.....

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