I must be getting old: A rant

[SharonH, RN]

I just got off the elevator with yet another person cracking their gum, mouth wide open. It wouldn't have been so bad except she was nicely dressed in a suit, and her hair was neatly done. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Daily, I see people walking around with their mouths open cracking gum, unbelievable displays of cleavage and I am often overwhelmed by the scent of either perfume or heavy colognes. I'm giving a pass on the spiked heels and the long fake nails which may or may not be neatly groomed. In the past, we nurses have been harsh on ourselves about unprofessional appearances but honestly, this is a much larger problem. Again most of the people I see like this are either wearing suits or lab coats; physicians are definitely NOT immune from this slobbishness. Is professionalism emphasized anymore? I guess it wouldn't even bother me except I hate the sound of gum slurping in my ear and I don't think I should have to hold my breath on the elevator in order to indulge someone's need to slather themselves with perfume. Whew! I just had to get that off my chest.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Ok, I chew gum at work-although I try to chew as quietly as possible. I find that the masks we wear in the OR can give you funky breath(as well as the multiple cups of coffee I drink on my break:lol2:) and when I go to interview my patients in holding, I don't want them to be offended. I do alternate the gum with mints sometimes.

I completely agree with the perfume/cologne thing. I also hate long nails,oversize earrings(especially when you're scrubbed!) and the fact that people don't know how to dress appropriately for special occasions or church.

I also think thongs are nasty-they're also bad for your cooter(they make you more prone to UTI's). I think I'd sooner go without undies than wear the butt floss panties again.

[smk1, LPN]

MTV started to go downhill with "The Real World" and all the crazy camera work. They lost me then and there and I was only 22 years old.

Sharon you are right. I loved the first "real world" and watched the london one because a friend was a housemate on it, but other than that it got old quick. They lost me when it became a hassle to find music and videos on music television. At this point they have all "shows" and no videos. I think TRL (total request live) comes on at like 3 am or something equally ridiculous.

P.S. Plus when you've seen the umpteenth thousand Rap video with booty shakin girls or the umpteenth thousand rock video with boobie shakin girls, you do grow up and get bored.