Definition: Given a real-life anecdote of a complex ethical situation, generate a suitable title that describes the main event/root cause of the situation. Imagine that the given text is a social media post, and you have to write the title of the post, so the users can decide to read the main text or not.
Input: Today I went to the doctor’s office to fill out a repeat prescription form.

The front desk has the usual pamphlets (stop smoking, the dangers of diabetes etc.) laid out and a pen in a stand for patients to use.

I have used this office for a number of years, so I am well aware that the patient pen often disappears from its stand and while I wouldn’t consider myself a germaphobe – something about using a pen that gets touched by hundreds of people every day – most of whom are probably ill, is just not for me.

So I bring my own pen – nothing special about it in particular just one of those silver clicky Parker ballpoints. 

The following interaction took place within the span of a 30-45 seconds or so.

As I finish filling out my form a lady comes in and asks the receptionist for her own repeat prescription form - which she is handed and then asks the receptionist if there was a pen she could use.

The receptionist begins to stare at me as I hand in my form and tells me to “give her the pen”… (I should note I was standing in front of the patient pen stand) so I looked at the pen stand, no pen, I checked under the pamphlets and the floor by the desk, no pen.

The receptionist then points her finger at my pen and in a demanding tone says  “no, give her that pen”…

Somewhat bewildered, I hear the lady waiting to fill in her form mutter rather sheepishly “c’mon it’s just a pen”.

Something about the entire situation just irked me little.

I understand that the receptionist’s first ‘request’ may have been based on the assumption that I was using the patient pen but the second time? I just can’t see it– when there is a pen it’s one of the clear multi-pack Bic ballpoints, but when the receptionist is looking and pointing directly at my pen – lets be real, the doctor’s office isn’t going to be leaving out stainless steel pens when even the multi-pack ones are getting stolen.

Whilst I wouldn’t have minded the lady using my pen and waiting for her to finish, something about her comment made me wonder, would I then also be expected to wait should another person come up to the desk and need to use my pen? 

Now what I did next is why I ask AITA, I pinched my pen between my index finger and thumb raised it up to my face looked the receptionist in the eyes and said in a calm but admittedly firm tone “No, my pen” to which both the receptionist and the lady seemed shocked – not gasp worthy, but clearly offended that I was not willing share my pen. The receptionist gave a little huff and made it obvious that I had inconvenienced her as she began to search for a pen on her side of the desk, at which point I walked out. 

&amp;#x200B;

I know this might seem silly and that I am overthinking this now and at the time, but it’s my pen dammit.

&amp;#x200B;

So AITA?

not sharing my pen at the doctor's office