Kia ora,
It has been a while. Life, work has been on fully. We have enjoyed the joys of winter, or rather chased after them. For us the perfect winter is cold and snowy. Here you admire the snow peaks of the Southern Alps from afa, through greenery and drive up the mountains to finally be on the snow. Worth it! But while it officially still is winter, it is starting to feel and look a lot like spring. Many garden bushes and trees as blossoming. I have seen the first pollen allergy patients. The amount of light is certainly increasing which creates a familiar spring tickle, even in August! I just heard a korimako, bellbird, sing. They say its song is the most beautiful of all bird songs in NZ. It definately is melodical compared to the metallic sounds of the tui (think about R2D2 and you’ll get an idea).
Since the last letter I have been thinking about politeness, respect and behaviour in general. I have noticed a not-so-surprising difference in the use of language and addressing to each other between Finland and New Zealand. With the English language, also the British culture background as a whole, I find Kiwis, rooted and new comers alike, very polite and accepting. The Kiwis have a reputation of being friendly and that holds true. The use of ’please’ and politely frased questions and replies has hopefully caught me at least a little. We Finns may sound abrupt and harsh with our staight-to-the-point approach. There is no equivalent to ’please’ in our language. You can frase the Finnish words in a polite way, naturally, but the tone is slightly different. I have purposefully made an effort to increase the level of politeness in English. I admire, with a smile, the polite way doctors start their letters to patients: ”today I had the pleasure to meet the lovely Mrs. Smith and her husband at my clinic…”. And yes, to those Finns wondering, doctors do write letters to patients to sum up what was decided about treatments and follow-ups separate from clinical notes. The way you use language is one way to show respect.
Small talk is en extension of polite use of language and also just a way to greet people. Whereas before I thought that small talk was almost a waste of time and a diversion from the actual topic, I increasingly see it as a way to easily approach people. Sure, you are not supposed to give your life story when someone asks ”how are you” (we Finns tend to take things literally) but it opens up the possibility to conversation and a brief moment to get in tune with that person. In the ED small talk you can rely on the unwritten code of politeness to start with and then guide the conversation to the current reason(s) to be in the ED that day. Here also a ’kia ora’ in maori helps to smooth out the way.
I have met many people who have an incredible name memory. Even some partially demented and sick elderly parients in ED remember my name (Greta without the G) after a couple hours from the first introduction, or are clever enough to check it from the name tag. I have to check theirs each time from the patient files! Using first names instantly seems to give a gentler vibe to the short lived but potentially life changing and important relationship with patients in ED and between collegues. We use first names in Finland as well, but do not repeat them as often in conversation, easier to loose that touch. On the other hand, we are not used to repeating first names It feels somewhat weird to hear your name often in a conversation in Finnish.
Another layer I find attached to the topic of politeness is cynism and behaviour. Or rather, how to maintain professionalism even when you are tired, frustrated, uncertain, overworked, disappointed or desperate (or are we ever desperate in ED?). Language is a major part, the audible expression, of our behavior. Naturally the non-verbal gestures and minute signs are the majority in our expression. How we carry us is how people read us, but speech, words, are essential in creating a relationship. On so many levels.
With the culture of ’general politeness’, it is easier to make consultations and referral calls to other specialities even in the middle of the darkest and busiest night. The respect across different professionals is to great deal expressed in the use of language. Good behavior counteracts cynicism. It carries a polite approach even with the patient whose behavior is challenging and you feel provoked. It prevents slipping into the pit of complaining and thus helps in maintaining a better work spirit.
On that note, you absolutely do not need to tolerate abusive language or violence, but being able to unprovoke an already agitated person/patient requires a firm but calm manner of talk and body language. In English and Finnish alike. Also, voicing out problems should be made in a clear, appreciative, well thought language.
Back to nature. Spring truly is flowing in. The sheep have lambs! Walking up and down our ’own’ mountain, Mount Pleasant, you hear the mother sheep calling their little ones. The hills are green, moist, and we still are waiting for many trees to grow their leaves again. Can’t wait for that! In the meanwhile we may be going skiing next weekend, on snow.
Be well and happy. Always be polite. Below two links for the korimako and the tui.
Reetta
https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/bellbird
https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/tui
For those interested, a bit exhausting, but true description of emergency department tasks: https://litfl.com/managing-the-emergency-department/