Occupational Hazards

At the dentist’s office this summer, I had to get a tooth extracted.  NOT FUN.  But you know what is fun?  Laughing gas.  Matter of fact, I had a whole slew of ideas that came to me for blogging while I was at the dentist’s office…only they weren’t nearly as awesome a few hours later when the drugs wore off.  One thing I did notice was that the dental technician seemed to have some solid one-liners that she had clearly used before.  Like right after they got me good and high on nitrous, they injected a giant needle filled with Novocain into my gums.  Fucking brutal.  I’m just sitting there, happily waiting for the procedure to begin (matter of fact pretty much flying high as a kite), thinking about blog posts when BAM! Needle in the gums.  Right after they did this, the tech says, “talk about a buzz kill, huh?”.  Why yes, that’s exactly what that was, you clever little technician, you!   Of course there wasn’t much I could do to reply but grunt, but I think that they prefer it that way.  If I could have talked, imagine the stoned jibberish ideas I would be spouting off to these women!  Wait, you don’t want to hear about my blog post titled “Things You Would Say to Your Dentist if Only This Wrench Wasn’t in the Way”?! 

It made me think about other occupational situations where it can be awkward, but is still part of the job.  OB/GYNs have it rough.  They must really have to remember that it’s worth the pay.  Otherwise, all those incredibly awkward moments (that start with the fucking gown and end with the latex gloves coming off) that are made even more awkward when exacerbated by small talk would SO not be worth it.  Or how about hair stylists?  Having to listen to certain clients go on and on about their puppy/house renovations/spouse/job.  You can’t shut them down because you need the money, so you tolerate it and hope you have a few quips/one liners to keep it interesting.  Or you go into the dental industry, and shove a wrench in your client’s mouth.