Vintage ad uploaded by Flickr user jbcurio.
Over on the community blog, mland45 recounts an experience she had when she went to an ear, nose and throat doctor to get treated for a sinus infection:
[Receptionist]: The insurance doesn't pay for the rhinoplastyMe: Well, I'm not interested in the rhinoplasty.
[Receptionist]: You sure? Because your nose is crooked.
Me: I know, but I'm not worried about that.
[Receptionist]: Well let me explain why I'm telling you this. It's such a good price, because you'll already be paying for the anesthesia for the other surgery. It is such a good deal.
Me: Well, since I was never considering cosmetic surgery in the first place, it's not a good deal to me. I never had a serious problem with my nose, but by the time I leave this office I will have a COMPLEX about it.
How infuriating is that? Read the rest here.
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[Receptionist]: You sure? Because your nose is crooked.
Me: It helps me smell the bullshit better.
Isn't a doctor (or worse their uneducated, clerical representative) pressuring someone into elective surgery a huge violation of medical ethics? Or am I being naïve?
Speaking of profiting off of insecurities, I'm reminded of every time I visit the salon to get my eyebrows waxed and they ask "JUST the eyebrows?" implying that I have a femmestache, hairy chin, etc that need correcting. Ultimately, they're there to make money. I'd expect it from a salon, but from a doctor's office? Sheesh.
Ew. This happened to me too. I went in to have my plethora moles checked for cancer, and the doctor was like, "well, none of your moles have cancer, but you should come in and get some of the bigger ones removed..because...you know...*wink* bathing suit season is upon us" *chuckle, chuckle*
I was like, barf! Love me, love my spots!
Victorianox, I understand that you're referring specifically to this highly offensive receptionist who was uninvolved in any related medical procedure, but it comes across as generalizing that all receptionists are uneducated drones. In some cases, sure, but I have a B.A., and while I appear to answer phones and make doctors' appointments all day, I'm also trained in the specific area my office specializes. I never encourage plastic surgery procedures (which would be weird, anyway, seeing as how I work in a GYN office), but I'm not just a clerical representative, either.
For what it's worth (which is to say, considerably less than the beauty pressures on women), my dentist went through the options on tooth whitening and started in on how one of my front teeth was small and crooked and was I sure I didn't want to schedule an appointment to get in capped and straightened. I should mention, I was on fucking nitrous at the time. Not going back to see her again.