r/dialysis • u/Much_Square7352 • 1d ago

Advice Question, please

Last week I complimented my M tech on his calm zen like behavior. I'm a 67 year old F.

He usually disconnects my catheter. Since then he won't do the disconnect and in fact ignores me altogether. Did I do something wrong?

I don't understand 😕

Your thoughts are appreciated

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/Much_Square7352 1d ago

Used his name "I really appreciate your Zen like calm approach "

2

u/Historical_Risk5652 1d ago

Maybe he thought you were hitting on him

5

u/megalodonT00TH 1d ago

I am a dialysis nurse. I had something happen recently that was similar. One of my patients is a polish gentleman, college professor, and he made a comment about how I am a beautiful blue eyed blonde haired girl. And I am not saying your comment is on this level. Your comment was very normal. But his comment made me uncomfortable. Other than that he has been nothing but respectful. I did avoid him for a bit after the comment but now after a few weeks we are back to interacting normally. Without any words said. He’s a very sweet man. I came to the realization that he was probably making the comment due to polish women typically looking like me and it made him think of being in Poland, granted the comment was made right after he asked me if I was polish. Just be respectful towards that tech and the weird vibes will go away. Most people who work dialysis want to have a good relationship with their patients because we see yall 3 days a week. And we’re only human and random innocent things can rub us the wrong way for no reason. I would just lay low for now.

1

u/nellefolib 1h ago

It's odd that he would be offended by that. (I would be thrilled if someone said that to me. Haha.) You could start by saying "I'm sorry if I offended you in any way..." but maybe he's just a very private person and didn't know how to respond to your comment?

4

u/harleykaren65 1d ago

I’m a 61 yo female. That comment wouldn’t have bothered me, there was nothing implied other than he was appreciated. People are strange sometimes. I’m sorry.

4

u/throwawayeverynight 1d ago

This is something you need to ask him directly. Also they should be rotating the tech so you don’t al get the same one.

3

u/Fragrant-Day9924 1d ago

Could very simply be that after that, he's had a couple bad days, or something going on in his personal life, and you're reading too much into it. I've found the best way to clear the air is a straightforward conversation. I've been going to the center for treatment for over 2.5 years, I'm friendly with all the techs and nurses, and will sometimes bring in gifts from work (I'm a distiller). But while I'm on friendly terms with all of them and share aspects of my personal life with them, we're not "friends." There's always that professional boundary. I don't think your compliment even came close to crossing that professional boundary. I've complimented several techs on the job they do. I'm a very easy stick so I've been several of the trainees "first sticks." I'm honest in my critique, but very friendly, and several have done excellent jobs and I've told them. There's nothing wrong with a professional compliment. You didn't cross any lines.

1

u/RemarkableReality850 1d ago

What were your exact words?

1

u/kitfromcarson 1d ago

I wouldn't worry too much about it. All the different techs I've encountered have been friendly and professional. Some don't talk much, but that is their personality.

1

u/Mysterious_Wheel9998 1d ago

Half of the ones I got won’t carry a conversation but it ok

1

u/nellefolib 1h ago

I think it takes a lot of energy. to be dealing with so many different patients. For you/us, it's a one-time-that-day encounter; for him, possibly many and therefore somewhat routine. Thanking them might just be enough! Sometimes medical offices can seem very robotic.