Thursday, 27 January 2005
A Little Off the Top and Floss Every Day
This Monday, I went to the dentist for my regular checkup. (Yes, my teeth are doing nicely, thank you for asking.) Making the appointment itself was an object lesson in priorities (French vs. American, most notably).
Two weeks ago, I went in to get my hair cut. After paying at the front, I commented that I'd noticed my stylist was tough to get - he must be booked solid, right? Oh, yes - he's always busy.
So, I asked, I suppose I should reserve more than a month in advance (which was how far in advance I'd reserved that very appointment). Yes, yes - that's a good idea. At least a month in advance.
Now it's the next day, Friday the 14th. Having gone to my haircut appointment, I realized that I was about a month late for my canonical six-month dental checkup date. Oops. But I phone the office anyway.
"Hi, I'd like to make an appointment for my regular checkup." "Oh!" came the reply. "I'm so sorry. We're all booked next week. Would the following Monday work all right?" I reassured her that it was, and so it was.
Remember, that was on a Friday: she was essentially apologizing for making me wait five business days. Haircuts, on the other hand, apparently have to be planned far enough out that they become the hypothetical immovable object in your agenda of unstoppable forces.
Sometimes, these kinds of differences just boggle my mind.