I see now what you are saying. My doctor just recently was so rude and hostile towards me; to condense the visit let me just say she took me up one side and down the other for something that I actually need help with (and she preferred to upbraid me rather than to help me). To which I replied, calmly, "I cannot believe I am the worst patient you have for noncompliance." Her mouth worked and finally she said, "No, you're not." I made a mental note never to go back to her. Had she tried to understand the problem she could have seen that it was not noncompliance--I need HELP.

Some people have their own problems -- she has one; she told me a couple of visits back she wanted to get out of doctoring. Too bad more people will have to suffer before she finally does.

Some people have allowed anger and meanness to take over their lives. Like the guy who shouted and berated me when I tried to alert him to a fire hazard.

Some people are filled with hatred--like my boss. She mistreats me out of that hatred. And when I am long gone, she will find someone else to hate.

You don't have to let other people's problems be your problem. Where possible, walk away. Where you have to deal with some idiot in order to get to the next person who might be able to help you, try to stay calm and to keep asking for what you need. One of the best things you can say is, "Is this going to be a problem?" or "Is there a problem with my request" (need, etc, as it applies)--fake it until you make it if you have to, but stand firmly and politely in your request for decent service or treatment.

For crude people who actually have the temerity to literally look you up and down (and they're not fitting you for a prom gown or painting your portrait); when they pull that stuff, turn around, check the backs of your shoes, act confused and say, "What, what? What am I missing?" And then follow it with, "Is there a problem?" And meanwhile, you can rest assured you have friends here who like you just as you are, and you do deserve decent treatment; we all do.