Toomanytoomany - are you a sonographer? LOL! My BIL is and he says the same thing, that people come in expecting a 'photo opportunity' of their baby, rather than an important test. I understand this, and of course you are right - we should put things into perspective.
I just really can't stand rudeness, from any professional. Customer service is really important to me and I get massively impatient with rude doctors and midwives too. The techs have done it all a million times before, but the patient's feelings are still important. That scan had a massive effect on my DH - I reckon from then on he felt that he just wasn't important in the scheme of the pregnancy, which is a shame because it was his experience too.
Interesting point about the gender - I didn't realise some places have that policy. Good to know - I shall no longer blame our sonographer for that
You're absolutely right - there's never any excuse for rudeness, at all! And with health professionals it goes so much further than customer service, doesn't it - it's all about recognising that while it might be routine for you, this is people's bodies, lives, babies, they are dealing with. And like you say, it can be an important moment for a father who may be feeling a bit disconnected. There's never any excuse for being dismissive with someone else's major issue like that.

I'm not a sonographer - I'm just a veteran of ultrasounds, having had five babies and three miscarriages and about eight bazillion ultrasounds LOL. Plus, I am a bit of an earth mother type who prefers to avoid intervention and thinks that the medical profession is a bit too blase about stuff that is "routine" but which can actually have really important implications. How many women are counselled before their ultrasound, "While it's unlikely, we may reveal information that may compel you to make a decision about the future of your pregnancy"? Not many, in my experience!