Let’s be real for a second. Working as a pharmacy technician is no walk in the park. Between managing insurance blocks, deciphering doctor's handwriting, filling hundreds of scripts a day, and standing on hard tile for hours, our plates are more than full. We are handling medications that literally keep people alive, which means focus, speed, and precision are non-negotiable.
So, can we talk about basic public etiquette for a minute? Because the way some people roll up to the drop-off or pick-up window—or stumble into the store—is completely wild.
If you're heading to the pharmacy, it's time to treat it like you're going somewhere that actually requires a little bit of preparation and common courtesy. Here is a quick survival guide for how to show up when you need your meds:
- Leave the phone conversation on pause: Don't walk up to the counter deep in a cell phone conversation, expecting us to wait patiently while you finish your chat. Put the phone down, make eye contact, and give us your attention for the two minutes it takes to handle your transaction.
- Put out the cigarette: If you are coming through the drive-thru, please do not sit there blowing smoke right in our face while we are trying to hand you your medications. It's disrespectful, gross, and completely unnecessary.
- Throw on some real clothes: We all love comfort, but rolling out of bed and walking into a public building in your full-on pajamas or sleepwear is a stretch. You can take two minutes to throw on some real clothes before running your public errands.
- Bring your brain (and your info): Don't walk up to the counter expecting us to magically guess your date of birth, insurance changes, or what medication you're actually out of. Have your information ready before you step in line.
- Check yourself before you come at us: Our job is already high-stress. Coming at pharmacy staff sideways, catching an attitude, or taking out your day's frustrations on us is completely unacceptable. We didn't invent the insurance rules, and yelling at us won't make the computer process your claim any faster.
At the end of the day, we may be overworked and overstimulated, but we wouldn't have it any other way and we love what we do. A little patience, basic manners, and a shred of common decency just help us take care of you even better.
