He's got a real air of aggression about him, too. This male dentist is married to a female dentist, and they own the practice together. For years though, I didn't see either of them. I was treated by a younger female dentist, who was lovely. She's since left. I think she's opened up her own practice nearby, so she's probably who I'll call.

I better not get a flipping Amazon catalog! Ughhh

Because they're an evil empire, or because you're still waiting for your ballot, or why, lisah?

(I tried to @ your name. I'm not really all right anymore.)

I got the Amazon catalog yesterday but haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

Epic, I hope your dentist isn't a jerk. Mine is, and I decided to leave him before I bite him (as he launches into pro-Trump or anti-choice tirades when his fingers are in my mouth), then -- pandemic.

Oh, no, that would get me out the door SO FAST. I considered leaving, due to some problems when I needed a filling a couple years ago and the fact that my anticipatory stress is so high for this visit. But I've been going there around 20 years, so I have to assume that moving records and stuff would be a major nightmare. So I'm just hoping today will go better than I fear.

I don't know if there is a universally correct response, but I congratulate you on not jus saying "It's OK" because that's what you say!

I think I feel such, really almost pathological need for things to be truthful/accurate that I won't say it's okay if it's not. I think I landed on "Mmm-hm," this time.

Hope that Serving the Customers is better than you think or the impetus you need to find something better, -t.

On a related note: what have we decided is the appropriate response when someone apologizes, but you're not gonna say "It's OK" because it's not, at least not yet?

"I appreciate your apology" is what I'm teaching myself to say in response.

On a related note: what have we decided is the appropriate response when someone apologizes, but you're not gonna say "It's OK" because it's not, at least not yet?

What about "I'm sure I'll be fine. Eventually."

On a related note: what have we decided is the appropriate response when someone apologizes, but you're not gonna say "It's OK" because it's not, at least not yet?

"I appreciate your apology" is what I'm teaching myself to say in response.

Waaaay more mature than I was prepared to be right then!

What about "I'm sure I'll be fine. Eventually."

A smidge more passive-aggressive than I was aiming for, perhaps...

I think it depends on why it's not yet ok—is there something more they can/need to do, to make it ok? Or just they've done what they can and it still sucks? Like, someone knocks into you and spills your drink. If they just apologize, you might respond asking them to get you another drink! If they've already offered/done so, and it's that you've now got coffee on your pants and there's nothing they can really fix about that, then yeah, I'd go with thank you.

I've learned to warn them that it's sometimes hard to get a vein on me and suggest they use the person who's best at it. Usually the lab people and donation people are aces at it, but random nurses can be less so.

I've learned to warn them that it's sometimes hard to get a vein on me and suggest they use the person who's best at it. Usually the lab people and donation people are aces at it, but random nurses can be less so.

Yeah, this guy was not new - he remembered a freckle in the crook of my arm and said, "remember, I said to aim for the freckle?" The fact that the freckle is on my left arm and I prefer that they use my right, which I said but he chose not to do, was one of the many things he said/did that got my dander up that day.