Evening star., 1941-11-06

Tor their brldgeWOrk. We know OF a
told two waiting patients all about
how the doctor" had lost another
patient that morning. Now, every
one understands that some patients
Of every physician are bound to die
while undergoing treatment. but its
hardly encouraging to hear all about
1t while you're waiting for treatment
yourself
In still another case, a lawyers
secretary discussed with a new client
her employers adventures with the
Treasury Department. which was on
his trail for some dubious entries on
his income tax return. That was GER
tainly a fine Endorsement for her
employer, both concerning his hon.
esty and his legal ability.
Another physicians receptionlst
somehow manages to make every one
who enters the Office feel like an
interloper. She has ''snooty' atti-
tude, implying that the patient is a
nuisance and a dimwit. and that
the doctors time shouldn't be taken
up with such petty annoyanceS.
Offsetting these sad examples, OF
course, there are plenty OF girls who
do a grand job for their employer,
who please his patients and clients,
and who are probably worth their
entire salaries in the good will they
create, and the confidence they in
spire.
1t shouldn't be difficult for girl
with common sense and tact to fit
into a job such as this. Her first
duty, of course, is to do exactly what
her employer requires of her as far
as assisting him or doing Office work
Is concerned. She should also follow
his instructions in handling patients
or clients; but unfortunately, too
many professional men apparently
never give this side of her training
q thought. So they leave it up to her,
and the results aren't always ideal.
The secretary or receptioniSt en-
ployed by professional man should
realize that hers is position of re-
sponsibility, and that both her en-
ployer's affairs, and those of his
patrons, are to be kept in absolute
confidence. No gossiping with one
patient about another's ailments.
No whispering of inside dope" on an
interesting case which her boss now
has in court.
Toward visitors to the Office her
attitude should be friendly and
cordial, but not familiar. Ordinarily
her conversation will be confined to
necessary business details, and to
seeing that the visitor is comfortably
seated and has something to read.
However, as she gets to know those
patients or clients who return
again and again, she can chat bit
with them now and then, as she
might with any casual acquaintance.
But she certainly will avoid long
discussions of their symptoms or
their legal difficulties. And she'll
have nothing to say about her en-
ployer's methods of treating mas
toids, extracting molarS or settling
estates. That sort of loose talk will
discredit both her and her employer,
even in the eyes of the patients or
clients who engage in 1t with her.
You Ask-We Answer.
@. I've been invited to a rush
party by one of the good sororities in
my high school. 1t is a buffet sup
per. Should I wear pumps or saddle
shoes. skirt and sweater, or what?
don't know many Of the girls
and they don't know me. Should I
give my name to those who greet
me, or not? ALMA A.
A. For a buffet supper we'd sug-
eest a not-too-dressy dress and
pumps, rather than a sweater and
skirt with saddle shoes. The some
what more formal costume couldn't
miss, whereas the sweater and skirt
might give the impression that you
didn't consider the occasion particu-
larly important.
A girl who knows you may call for
YOU in advance, or meet you at the
door when you arrive for the buffet
supper. In either case, she will
make the introductions. If you are
greeted by q stranger, tell her who
you are, so that she can introduce
you.
Knowing how to act properly
around an office will 20 a long
way toward insuring your sue
cess on your job. And our Be
ing a Business Asset booklet
will teach you the rules you
should know. Get it by sending
5 cents in stamps or coin to Kay
Caldwell and Alden Harrison, in
care Of The Evening Star.