AITA for refusing to let someone go first into the vets office despite their appointment being set before mine?

There’s nothing quite as nerve-wracking as waiting for your pet’s appointment—especially when you’re already anxious about their health. Yesterday, I (29F) took my 7‐month-old puppy to the vet because of an infection in her lymph nodes. My appointment was scheduled for 12:20 PM, and I arrived right on time, settling in for what I hoped would be a smooth check-up.

However, due to a last-minute influx of emergency cases, the office was running significantly behind schedule. What I didn’t expect was that nearly 40 minutes later, a person walked in claiming a 12:10 appointment. Despite arriving almost an hour late, the front desk announced that this latecomer would be seen right before me.

I politely pointed out that my appointment was at 12:20 and that I’d been waiting for close to 40 minutes already. The response was a brief moment of awkward silence, followed by the other party’s reluctant agreement to wait after me. Although I felt justified in speaking up, a later conversation with friends left me questioning whether I overreacted. Some of them thought I should have waited a bit more. So, am I the asshole here?

‘ AITA for refusing to let someone go first into the vets office despite their appointment being set before mine?’

In busy healthcare settings, delays are sometimes unavoidable, especially when emergencies arise. However, maintaining fairness in patient scheduling is key to ensuring that everyone feels valued. According to Dr. Emily Hartman, a healthcare administration expert featured in a recent HealthLine article, “Patients who arrive on time should be seen in the order of their scheduled appointments, regardless of subsequent delays.

Clear communication about any expected wait times can help manage frustration and maintain trust.” This perspective underscores the importance of transparent communication in service settings. Had the latecomer called ahead or the staff clarified the revised schedule, the awkward moment might have been avoided. Instead, the situation left me—and likely others—feeling that my punctuality was overlooked, which can be quite demoralizing when you’re already dealing with a sick pet.

Dr. Hartman’s insight reminds us that a good appointment system is not just about logistics but also about respect for the patient’s time and concerns. When this doesn’t happen, even minor delays can feel like personal slights. The lack of a clear policy communicated by the vet office contributed to the confusion. In an environment where every minute counts, especially in healthcare, fairness isn’t just a courtesy—it’s an essential part of patient care.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

The responses from the Reddit community on this incident were mixed. Many users sided with me, arguing that arriving on time should guarantee your place in line, regardless of the office being backed up by emergencies. One user pointed out, “If you’re on time and someone shows up late, you deserve to be seen in your appointed order. It’s basic fairness.”

Others, however, suggested that there might have been extenuating circumstances—perhaps the latecomer had called ahead, although no one confirmed this. Some commenters mentioned that in a busy vet office, delays are sometimes inevitable and that a bit of patience could be warranted.

Still, the prevailing sentiment leaned toward “Not the Asshole.” Many agreed that when you’ve been waiting a long time while someone who arrived much later gets prioritized, it feels inherently unfair. One healthcare worker commented, “Our policy is that if you’re late, you lose your spot—even if the delay is due to external factors.

But if you’re on time, you should be respected.” The community’s feedback reflects a broader expectation of fairness in service settings—a value that resonates deeply when you’re already dealing with the stress of caring for a pet.