Are people being stupid on purpose?

Einstein said that crazy is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.

Here’s a conversation I just had:

Woman: I’d like to make an appointment. Do you have anything available next week?

Me: Who’s calling?

Woman: Anne*

Me: Are you the wife of the patient?

Woman: No. I’m his sister.

Me: How old is the patient.

Woman: In his forties.

Me: For what problem does the patient need to be seen?

Woman: Hernia repair.

Me: (Looking through my appointment book) unfortunately, my next available appointment IS October 17. (today is August 8)

Woman: October?! Do you have anything before that?

Me: That is my earliest available appointment.

Woman: You don’t have anything earlier?

Me: That is my earliest available appointment.

Woman: This is for surgery.

Me: But the patient hasn’t been seen before. October 17 would be the consultation.

Woman: (pause) You don’t have anything earlier?

Me: October 17 is my earliest available appointment.

Woman: What time?

Me: 9:30 am.

Woman: You don’t have any other time?

Me: (I pause because by this point, I’m convinced she’s being contrary on purpose). We could do an 11 am on that morning.

Woman: I’ll have to call you back.

Ten minutes later, she calls me back.

Woman: I need to make an appointment.

Me: For what problem?

Woman: Hernia repair.

Me: Did you just call for your brother?

Woman: Yes.

Me: And he wants the October 17 appointment?

Woman: You don’t have anything earlier?

Me: That is my earliest available date.

Woman: Ok.

Me: Which doctor diagnosed your brother with the hernia?

Woman: He hasn’t seen a doctor.

Me: How do you know he has a hernia?

Woman: We assume.

Me: Ok, he’s all set for October 17 at 11 am.

Woman: You don’t have anything earlier?

Me: (I pause, waiting to see if she’ll say “just kidding”) Uh…no. October 17 is my earliest available appointment.