I was a receptionist in a doctor’s office (OBGYN) in california in 2002, less than 1 year after 9/11.

A woman calls in to make an appointment for her yearly physical exam, and she wants the soonest available appointment.

Me: (Searches schedule for a bit to find a slot) Well, the first availability I have is with Dr. Tukenmez this Thursday, actually, so we could get you in this week!

Patient: Oh, um, Tukenmez? Do you have any appointments with any other doctors?

Me: Well, the only appointments this week are with Dr. Tukenmez, the other MDs are booked out for about a month (Dr. Tukenmez was new to the practice so she didn’t have a lot of established patients yet, thus her earlier availability)

Patient: Well… I just… I would rather have another doctor. Because, you know, I’m from NYC (code for “I don’t want a doctor with a middle eastern sounding name because I’m afraid they’re all terrorists and I get special privilege to be racist because I’m from NYC, even though I was living in CA when 9/11 happened”).

Me: What a coincidence! Dr. Tukenmez is from NYC too, she was born and raised there. And actually, she’s an American citizen, and her family is Turkish-American; she’s not Iraqi or Afghani or Saudi…

Patient: Well… that doesn’t really matter… so i guess… when is your soonest appointment with another doctor? Because like I said, I’m from NYC.

Me: (at this point super triggered by her racism) Well, we have an opening in 4 weeks with Dr. Goldman. He’s Jewish though. Do you have a problem with Jews, too?

Woman: (pause)… um, no, that will be fine.

Me: Ok, he has an appointment on X date at 2 pm.

Woman: (sounding chastened) Ok. I’ll take that one. Thank you.

It felt incredibly satisfying to say that. I know it was unprofessional. But i hope she felt ashamed.