Your Medical Information

[SMAN]

(As a nurse manager for six clinics we try hard to provide privacy and prevent these from happening. The human factor however, especially with the hard of hearing who tend to shout their replies, is hard to control. I hope this example of clinic humor does not offend you).

They always ask at the doctor's office why you are there and sometimes you have to answer in front of others what's wrong.

In these situations there's nothing worse than a receptionist who insists that you tell her what is wrong with you in a room full of other patients.

I love the way this old guy handled it.

An 86-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the desk.... The receptionist said, "Yes sir, what are you seeing the doctor for today?"

"There's something wrong with my "member" he replied.

The receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that."

"Why not? You asked me what was wrong and I told you," he said.

The receptionist replied, "You've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people. You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and discussed the problem further with the doctor in private."

The man replied, "You shouldn't ask people questions in a room full strangers if the answer could embarrass anyone.

The man walked out, waited several minutes, and then re-entered.

The receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes?"

"There's something wrong with my ear," he stated.

The receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice

"And what is wrong with your ear, sir?"

"I can't piss out of it," he replied as the waiting room erupted in laughter.

[phkrause]

pk

[Richard Holbrook]