Humor is a malfunctioning defense mechanism - Nessus, Ringworld

[gridlore]

When I'm stressed, I make jokes. (Not to be confused with my crisis mode, which a few people have witnessed and describe as "Juggernaut in a black t-shirt")

Today, setting up my dental appointment, it went into overdrive. I had to cal Aetna to ask a question, and called two dental offices. All three calls I was reaching for jokes like a bad Borcht Belt comedian.

Got a few laughs. Although the recptionist at the place I'm going to got a good one in..

Her: "OK, the doctyor will give you an exam, and recommend a course of treatment."

Me: "She'll also want to slap me upside my head when she sees my mouth."

Her: "Oh, she won't do that!" (perfect pause) "We send you to a specialist for that phase of the treatment."

Comments

[cerulean-me.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain, with the dental hell.... Good luck ;-)

Sedation Dentistry

[(Anonymous)]

Have you considered it? They give you a pill in the waiting room, you go into a haze, and when you come back, the work is done and you're on the way home. Dentists who offer it often like it because they get a destressed, compliant patient instead of a white knuckle case. Patients like it because they can often take care of work normally requiring multiple appointments in one sitting.

Check with your insurer first, of course.

[mister-borogove.livejournal.com]

"No rational being would interrupt a defense mechanism."

I went to the dentist last week to remove a temporary and cement in a partial crown. He pulled out the temporary and started picking the hole clean without anaesthetic, hoping we could do the whole thing without any. It was too sensitive, I winced, he stopped. "Sorry about that, I'll go ahead and numb you up. Normally we only do torture on Wednesdays."

(They're closed Wednesdays.)

(Oh, hi. I'm Russell, I used to be on a couple of the Traveller lists, and followed you here via overheard.)