A Point of Protocol

According to a recent news report, a certain brand of turkey refused to respond to the chemical concoction used to fatten them up for proper consumption this year. This means people who eat these turkeys may not gain the customary ten pounds this holiday season. Think of the repercussions of this audacious event. If we don’t gain, then everything associated with these turkeys will actually lose! The gym will not realize the substantial increase in people who pay them a retainer in case they ever decide to work off those few extra pounds. The doctors will lose revenue because high blood pressure and other obesity related illnesses will decrease!  Drug companies won't be able to sell beta blockers or appetite reducing agents, and their income stream will be reduced to mere pennies on our dollars! Magazine readership will wane because there won't be a need to read about how to “lose ten pounds of flab in 3 days!" Advertising sponsorship's will lose because with fewe...

“If I hurt your feelings in any way I just want you to know from the bottom of my heart that I don't care.” Author Unknown The world is tired of people. Tired of serving them. Tired of pleasing them. Tired of being polite! We see this everywhere but are still surprised when volunteers, public servants, or health care professionals disrespect people. I experienced this firsthand during a recent doctor's visit. As man approached the receptionist, she acknowledged him by shouting, "What are you here for?" Stunned by her rudeness, everyone looked up as he, in turn, answered her in a quiet and controlled voice. Ignoring obvious social cues, the receptionist loudly repeated the purpose of his appointment. Those of us who understood simple courtesy looked away to minimize his shame. Others, fully engaged in his private affairs and unconcerned about the rules of protocol and etiquette, gawked or laughed as they waited to see what would happen next. To their disappoi...