My Mondays happen twice/wk

My most dreaded day of any given work week isn't Monday.  I'm not a fan of Mondays by any means, but Wednesdays are much, much worse in my opinion.  Wednesdays are the day that I have to be "on", and that is exhausting just in itself.   This is the one and only designated day that my docs assign to see pharmaceutical reps.  I'm well aware that the majority of Americans assume that all physicians are catering to these companies every whim, but I assure you that my docs don't subscribe to that type of worship in any way, shape, or form.  In fact, exactly the opposite would be true in this particular case.  My docs treat these drug reps as if they were gum stuck to the bottom of their Birkenstock. 

I'm not sure if it's common knowledge or not, but just as a general rule, it's an unspoken job requirement that these pharmaceutical reps be a member of the "beautiful people".  It's almost as if every single Homecoming Queen and King that didn't make it to Hollywood post-graduation decided to go work for Pfizer instead.  It's the reps that are unaware (or better at acting as if they're unaware at least) of their gorgeousness that I find myself not having to pretend that I enjoy speaking with them.  Then there's the breed of drug rep that has obviously been told repeatedly how exceptionally good looking they are, but they have mistaken this trait for being charming.  I'm certain that their perfect physical appearance works to their disadvantage in my office. 

 Essentially I end up having to overcompensate for my doc's "abruptness", and be sickeningly sweet so that they will continue to bring samples for our patients that cannot afford their necessary medication.  I have warned reps against going back to get a signature on a particularly "tense" day, and those who ignored me have regretted it.   I have witnessed my docs walking past the rep patiently waiting for just a signature numerous times without even bothering to acknowledge their existence.  I have witnessed reps waiting for just a simple signature for over an hour, and holding up the line of reps waiting to be seen in the waiting room, only to see them finally wave the white flag and leave without the signature.  I have even seen my bully of a doc reduce a rep to tears over being "ill-prepared".  
  
Yes, there is a serious problem with the power that pharmaceutical companies have in this country.  Yes, these reps have huge salaries, and their medications have an astronomical mark-up.  I Googled "Doctors versus Pharmaceutical Reps", and found this very interesting article from Forbes Magazine.  All I'm saying is that I hate Wednesdays aka "Drug Rep Day", because I have to be a very specific false version of myself.  Do you have a day at work that you can't stand other than Monday?  Just about everyone hates Mondays.  What happens during this dreaded work day of yours?  Do you ever find yourself having to make up for your co-worker's shortcomings?

What's in a name?

Do you at least attempt to be politically correct in your everyday life?  As far as job titles are concerned, would you consider secretary to be past its expiration date?  Prior to being referred to as one on a regular basis, I used to think that the term secretary went out of style with beehives and cat eye glasses as seen in 9 to 5.  My other personal favorite being the '80s classic Working Girl, which I think anyone could appreciate for the "rooting for the underdog" theme. 

I couldn't be more wrong.  It's possible that I'm overly sensitive to the word itself, and that it's usage isn't meant to be offensive.  It's also just as possible that my feminist (which funnily enough, I don't find THAT word to be insulting at all even when it's intended to be) way of thinking is to blame. 

There are many things about my current job that I loathe beyond belief, and it's a fact that a pep talk is required to not walk out on a daily basis.  I suppose in the grand scheme of things, being called "just a secretary" in that all too familiar southern Missouri drawl is not the major issue of my work life.  It just feels as if it degrades all that I do in my office that I can guarantee others simply could not handle.  If there is one single thing that you take away from this post, remember to retire the word: Secretary.  Assistant is not only more politically correct, but it's more accurate as well.