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Monday, November 20, 2006The Reason For My ExistenceI was at the pediatrician's office today. Like most doctor-type offices, the key pad for the debit card is one of those rectangular things with squishy keys. The receptionist handed me the keypad to enter my pin number, and I punched it in. Without warning, the reception burst out laughing. This wasn't a chuckle or a polite social noise; this was all-out laughter. In a burst. So I looked at her and said, "What?" The expression on her face told me that she was laughing at me. Now, this isn't unusual. People laugh at me on a regular basis, and it's not because I'm trying to be funny. No, people laugh because...well, I don't really want to go there. They just laugh. The receptionist, still laughing, said, "You just don't want those germs, do you?" In a flash I understood her laughter. I had punched the keypad with my knuckle. I always do that. I mean, who wants to touch those nasty keys with their fingertip, for heaven's sake? It's such a habit for me that I don't even think about it. I just use my knuckle. "Oh, I always do that," I said (she was still laughing). "I use my knuckles for everything." Naturally, she then began to empathize with the germ thing, claiming that she didn't like touching elevator buttons and the like. "Now you're backpedaling," I said. And she laughed some more. In all my years of using my knuckles to touch nasty public surfaces, no one has ever noticed, let alone laughed at me. I suppose, in a way, it's comforting to think that a gal who works in a pediatrician's office is conscious of the existence of bacteria on touchy-feely surfaces (like the entire waiting room). Except, I've knuckled those things in the pediatrician's office for years, and no one has laughed at me. Maybe this gal was a little less uptight than your average receptionist. It takes a very "real," very comfortable-with-self person to laugh out loud at something a stranger does. Fortunately for her, I'm not easily offended. I laughed right along with her and enjoyed the moment. After all, it's cool to bring laughter to someone's life without even trying. That's me, in a nutshell -- existing for the amusement of others. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go wash my hands. |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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8of my readers are feeling chatty:
Hey, I think I'll go watch that movie "What about Jill"... um I mean Bob.
Brilliant Jill! I never thought of touching things with my knuckles! I usually just whip out the germ killing gel after I've touched something icky.
It's not very subtle. :-S
Laughter might be good - I routinely get glared at by other patients because it's obvious that I'm trying to keep my little ones from touching anything or getting too close to anyone! ;-)
oh I feel so validated! I sometimes wonder if I look like a germophobe. I carry purell, hubby doesn't think it's necessary :P, but it makes me feel better
Well I carry a small ziploc bag with wet wipes in it so I can relate....
I do the exact same thing. Especially at the ATM. How many people sneeze on those things every day!?! I am far from a germophobe but this one things just seems like common sense.
And yes, I've always thought of you as entertainment. Keep us smiling. :-)
My Daddy carries around a hankie that he uses just to protect his hands when he opens doors.
He will only use his own pen to sign anything, and he also uses that to push buttons.
:)
Dave -- Wait a minute! I think you just called me obessive compulsive!!!
Kerrie -- Eric can't relax after he's pumped gas until he's slathered the gel on his hands. :)
Sharlyn and Lisa -- Good, good, more people on my side. :)
Ken -- Um, ur....thanks? (Boy is it good to see YOU!!!!)
MrsATroxi -- Sounds like a man after my own heart!
It was either that or call you a monkey... LOL
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