topic Re: Conversation At The Dentist in Community Chat

Conversation At The Dentist

Jordan2 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:39:52 GMT

Upon leaving the dentist's office I wished the receptionist (she is probably in her early 20's) a Happy Holiday season. She told me she was looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, she loves getting together with family. I asked if she didn't do it last year, she said they did get together. I told her she was very blessed to have family to be with, it isn't like that for everyone. For me I find the holidays very difficult, so many loved ones are gone, it is very lonely. I don't think she really got how I felt.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

manny2 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:45:57 GMT

I think her age is a major factor here. The ability to fully understand and empathize is not there yet. You are not alone @Jordan2 it's really eye opening when you realize how many people do not enjoy the holiday.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Love my grandkids — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:58:59 GMT

@Jordan2 Well she's in her early 20's. You can't expect her to understand your feelings being that you are older. When I was that age and an older woman told me that I could not have related to it either.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:52:20 GMT

Well at her age she probably can't imagine not having all her family around.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

SloopJohnB — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:22:48 GMT

@Jordan2 Yes, she probably doesn't realize how the holidays might be for some others. When I saw your title of the thread, I thought it was meaning how the DDS personnel always talk and ask questions when your mouth is being worked on and wide open and can't answer. 👩‍🔬

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

qbetzforreal — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:44:11 GMT

I don't think it has anything to do with her age. Perhaps she was taken aback by your a soul revealing response when she was making light pleasantries. She most likely was overwhelmed.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Sage04 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:58:43 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Upon leaving the dentist's office I wished the receptionist (she is probably in her early 20's) a Happy Holiday season. She told me she was looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, she loves getting together with family. I asked if she didn't do it last year, she said they did get together. I told her she was very blessed to have family to be with, it isn't like that for everyone. For me I find the holidays very difficult, so many loved ones are gone, it is very lonely. I don't think she really got how I felt.

@Jordan2 I think she understood what you meant but no way can she tell how you feel.

My 7 year old niece would have asked what happened to your family and she would invite you home for Thanksgiving.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Suzeecat — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:01:22 GMT

@SloopJohnB wrote:
@Jordan2 Yes, she probably doesn't realize how the holidays might be for some others. When I saw your title of the thread, I thought it was meaning how the DDS personnel always talk and ask questions when your mouth is being worked on and wide open and can't answer. 👩‍🔬

Ain't THAT the truth! It amazes me how my dentist and assistants carry on one-way conversations with me while their hands are in my mouth. I sometimes wonder if, when they have conversations outside of work, if they're surprised when people actually talk back, LOL!!!

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Mindy D — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:05:26 GMT

@Jordan2 @She heard you, but fully appreciating this kind of feeling usually takes experiencing it, even for the very empathetic.

Holidays are so hard when are loved ones are no longer there to enjoy them with. It's like an empty place, a hole, in your heart.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

LindaSal — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:21:51 GMT

I don't think it's the place to be looking for sympathy anyway. They have to deal with so many different patients/personalities all day long.....believe me I know it well......the best they can be expected do is smile and be courteous, IMO.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Sooner — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:28:48 GMT

Other than my husband, my family is all gone. But I am thankful that I had them, appreciate and treasure those times, but don't think so much about it that it gets me down. Why would I? Life goes on. Live it or miss out!

There are still things to enjoy and do, and. it is different, but I'm still here and I'm going to make the most of every minute I can, especially as long as hubby and I are together! But we have assured one another that someday life will go on single--and we've promised to do the best we can even then.

I can't predict the future, I can't live in the past, but today is a blessing to be savored.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Kitty Galore — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:45:23 GMT

@SloopJohnB wrote:
@Jordan2 Yes, she probably doesn't realize how the holidays might be for some others. When I saw your title of the thread, I thought it was meaning how the DDS personnel always talk and ask questions when your mouth is being worked on and wide open and can't answer. 👩‍🔬

@SloopJohnB Isn't that the truth😹

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:55:45 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Other than my husband, my family is all gone. But I am thankful that I had them, appreciate and treasure those times, but don't think so much about it that it gets me down. Why would I? Life goes on. Live it or miss out!

There are still things to enjoy and do, and. it is different, but I'm still here and I'm going to make the most of every minute I can, especially as long as hubby and I are together! But we have assured one another that someday life will go on single--and we've promised to do the best we can even then.

I can't predict the future, I can't live in the past, but today is a blessing to be savored.

I applaud your fortitude.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Boomernichols — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:06:00 GMT

@Jordan2 Due to her age and she may have never suffered a great loss of life in her family circle. Most folks that have large families do not comprehend the absence of being without loved ones unfortunately. Hope that you can find folks to share the holidays with!

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Nancy Drew — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:12:51 GMT

I am sure that when you were in your 20's you wouldn't relate either. Give her a break.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:14:08 GMT

It's not up to anyone to tell others how to grieve or how to live life while grieving.

@Jordan2 I understand. I work with many younger women, and they talk about such trivial complaints...often about their Mothers. I hear it and it just feels like a dagger. When people are young they often just don't have the perspective.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Kitty Galore — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:19:55 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Other than my husband, my family is all gone. But I am thankful that I had them, appreciate and treasure those times, but don't think so much about it that it gets me down. Why would I? Life goes on. Live it or miss out!

There are still things to enjoy and do, and. it is different, but I'm still here and I'm going to make the most of every minute I can, especially as long as hubby and I are together! But we have assured one another that someday life will go on single--and we've promised to do the best we can even then.

I can't predict the future, I can't live in the past, but today is a blessing to be savored.

@Sooner @You have a wonderful attitude on life ! Live while your here , each day IS present !😺

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

kitcat51 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:20:53 GMT

Many young people have experienced loss. My 17 & 20 yr old granddaughters have lost 2 great grandparents, both grandfathers, a grandmother, an uncle & a close friend who died in a car accident with her mom....they attended all the funerals, hold these deaths close to their hearts & never discuss them in casual conversations.

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

Kitty Galore — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:21:41 GMT

@Kitty Galore wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
Other than my husband, my family is all gone. But I am thankful that I had them, appreciate and treasure those times, but don't think so much about it that it gets me down. Why would I? Life goes on. Live it or miss out!

There are still things to enjoy and do, and. it is different, but I'm still here and I'm going to make the most of every minute I can, especially as long as hubby and I are together! But we have assured one another that someday life will go on single--and we've promised to do the best we can even then.

I can't predict the future, I can't live in the past, but today is a blessing to be savored.
@Sooner @You have a wonderful attitude on life ! Live while your here , each day IS present !😺

Meant each day is A present !

Re: Conversation At The Dentist

hckynutjohn — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 23:26:01 GMT

@Jordan2

Not a surprise to me. I can mention VHS and Betamax to some in their 40's, and get "what's that". Some people maybe 10-15 years my junior, wonder why they have fewer friends. Guess they don't get, that with age, some friends don't live as long as them.

A lot of things come with added years and decades. For some, not much good, if you ask them. For others with similar circumstances, good, even great, when you ask them. Why? I have my own theory.

hckynut