Know How: To Fill Awkward Silences with Your Doctor
November 05, 2011, By Staff Writer 0 comments
This light-hearted Howcast video underscores one of the reasons why many guys hate visiting the doctor: awkward silences. Of course, the real point is that we just need to deal. Men are 24% less likely than women to have visited the doctor in the past year. And that’s nothing to be proud of. Our families need and want us to be around for as long as possible. That means we need to get to the doctor for all of our check-ups and anything unusual that may catch our attention. Remember, a little awkward silence is a small price to pay to potentially postpone the most awkward silence of them all.
Transcript: The most uncomfortable part of going to the doctor isn’t the cold stethoscope or the drafty gown — it’s the stilted conversation with your MD. Here’s the prescription for a socially painless checkup.
You Will Need
Social skills
Sense of humor
Props (optional)
While this video is awesome, it didn’t go to medical school. Always consult your doctor for actual medical advice.
Step 1: Make small talk
Make small talk. Stick to easy topics like the weather or your local sports team. If possible, bring up things that you might have in common, like the fact that you both have advanced degrees.
Step 2: Ask questions
Why should you do all the talking? Ask them general questions, like “How do you like being a doctor?” “Who are the people in those photos?” and “Is that painting an original?”
Avoid asking questions that are too personal.
Step 3: Make jokes
Alleviate any tension with some good-natured jokes. A little medical-based humor could be just what the doctor ordered.
When conventional jokes don’t do the trick, try some prop comedy. A doctor’s office is a treasure trove of hilarious comedy props.
Step 4: Surprise your doctor
Take advantage of the inevitable question about whether you are sexually active by planning a special surprise for your doctor. Nothing like a perfectly executed sight gag to liven up a boring checkup.
Step 5: Understand that some silences are OK
Understand that some awkward silences are OK. Talking during some procedures will only make things worse.
Never, under any circumstances, whisper anything to your doctor, especially while your genitals are exposed.
Step 6: Tickle your doctor
When all else fails, give your doctor a good old-fashioned tickling. He may have all the vaccines in the world, but he’s not immune to a full-blown case of the giggles.
According to one study, patients spend an average of 21 minutes with a doctor per visit. That’s a lot of awkwardness.
