Was in work last night and got sent for a chap moving from the receiving ward to an actual ward. This is the 'yeah you ain't going home' moment, so this job requires a bit of qualifying of the patient. Take a look at them, their age, their body language, how they greet you. It can give you all you need as to how to act or approach them, and the subject of what you're about to do.

So I got the guys medical notes off the nurse before I entered the 4-bedded room. Noticed his birth year was within a decade of me so I think okay, we'll probably find some common ground whether it be games, sport, the local area etc.

"Hi Darren, I'm Gav, I'm gonna be taking you to Ward 7. That okay?"
"aye mucka, nae bother"
"Right, my friend, up we come into this seat here, don't worry abt yer bags mate I'll get them, just you grab a seat."
"aw cheers....


.... Yer oan the nightshift?"
*grabbing sruff* "Nah mate, backshift, in til ten the night!"
"Ah, haha, nice wan mate. Few beers the night eh?"
"Nahh, no much of a drinker to be honest pal, probably just gonna chill on the ol' Xbox."
"... Ye still dae that? Aye?"

And he gave me a look. Like I was a freak.

And I was taken aback. It's actually been so long since someone said something along those lines to me. Made me chuckle tbh, the idea that not going home and drinking yourself to oblivion (he looked the type if you're asking, but, hey, everyone has their own stuff going on) is somehow kind of weird. Sure, older colleagues of mines give it the "och you youngish and yer PlayStations" from time to time but I wasn't expecting it from someone in my age group, like it's something I'm meant to grow out of.

Anyway, I'm sure some on here may have similar stories to tell. When did it last happen to you? Family? Other half? Let's revel in each others shame like the sad big kids we all are.

Good day.