"Then she asked about my children, and I replied that I have one son. Is he married? No, but he's in a long-term relationship. Any children? No. Don't they want children? Crickets. This is not the first time someone has asked me these things. I wouldn't ask my closest friend these questions about one of her children, let alone a stranger! I had to return to the dentist the following"
"The hygienist's probing would have been insensitive with any new acquaintance, but was even more out of place in a professional setting. The moment the first personal question was asked assuming it was not part of a standard medical intake, performed in a private setting was the moment to smile graciously and ask where the bathroom was, or when the dentist would be ready to see you."
A dental hygienist asked intrusive questions about a patient's children and desire for grandchildren, causing discomfort in a professional setting. The patient felt sensitive because having a grandchild is unlikely and found short answers awkward. A recommended response is to smile and redirect the exchange to a neutral, practical topic, such as asking where the bathroom is or when the dentist will be ready. Brief yes-or-no replies can feel rude but are sometimes necessary to end probing. Separately, a person with unpredictable chronic pain wonders how to handle RSVPs and invitations when attendance is uncertain.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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