November 2015 Blog Challenge Day 2

Day 2: Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot.

Way back in the summer after my second year of undergrad, I volunteered at a hospital on weekends in the palliative care ward. I quite honestly didn't do a lot while I was there because we weren't given specific tasks, but one of the things we were told was to not let the patients out of the ward. Many of them were mentally handicapped or physically handicapped so they were not allowed to go out on their own, unless the nurses allowed.

There was a code to open the door from inside the ward, but people coming into the ward could just open the door and come in. This was problematic because patients would literally sit at the door and wait for it to open to make a run for it.

One day I was walking up and down the hallway and an old lady was at the door yanking on the handle to try to open it. I went up to her and politely told her that she couldn't open the door without the key code. 

"Can you tell me the code?"

"No, sorry, only the staff are allowed to know the code."

"Then can you open the door for me?"

I sighed and braced myself for a tantrum that I had seen thrown around by a couple of patients previously. "I'm sorry, I'd really like to but I'm not allowed to let you outside by yourself."

And, surprisingly enough, she just shrugged, turned around and let me lead her back to her room. Along the way, she turned to me and said, "You're very diplomatic."

"Oh really? What does that mean?"

"You know what to say to people and you're nice," was something along the lines of what she said. I went home and searched the definition of 'diplomatic' that afternoon but it never really stuck, so I had to look it up again today: "Having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way."

I still remember this moment because it was positive affirmation for me and my interpersonal skills. I was really shy then, and still am; and sometimes, I sit back and wonder how on earth I'll be able to get along with patients the way the doctors I've shadowed are able to, or just, how I'll be able to get along with people in general - how to start conversations, how to effectively communicate, and most importantly, how to reject people (how to tell them 'no'). 

I'm sure the way I spoke to the old lady in the hospital won't be effective with everyone, but knowing that at least one person thinks I'm capable boosts my confidence. I won't be able to fully get the hang of being outgoing or sociable, but I'll find a way that works for me and everyone around me.