maybe this is common and not only my experience...

[steve2470]

6. sorry to hear of your bad experiences

I think he has *some* control but from what he said, he cannot fire or discipline any of the staff. That, apparently, is up to the office manager or whoever is in charge. I don't know all the politics of what's going on, but it's my impression that he has had many complaints about them and is just at the end of his rope. IMHO, he should open his own small office or go to another practice but of course much easier said than done and also none of my business.

The rudeness, she was just civil enough that if I complained, she had plausible deniability. She did not curse at me, call me names, completely ignore me, etc. She just demanded my credit card immediately when I spoke to her. What the hell, I'm not a child, I know I have to pay but a smile or small talk or at least a polite pause before immediately demanding my payment. I think in all sections of the country, that is the norm. All we adults know we have to pay our co-payment and come prepared with check, credit card or cash. She was just extraordinarily demanding and abrupt. I've been all over the world, and I've never had my payment demanded this way. Meh, her problem obviously, I forked over the credit card and just silently resolved to never speak to her again unless I am forced to.