Things That I'm Sick To Death of Hearing...

[GeorgiaGreek]

Originally Posted by tea&krumpets

Another thing I'm sick of hearing: (upon learning I'm a nursing student) With your grades, why don't you want to be a doctor?

Ah, totally agree! I hate when people act like being a doctor is the ultimate end goal for all science and healthcare learning, any anything else is just a step down.
"Oh, I thought you were pre-med because of your major." I practically hear the disappointment trumpet when people find out I'm going for a Masters or PhD and not an MD. It's not that I couldn't be a medical doctor, it's just not what I want to do, and I'm sure many nurses are the same way.
Related to that: "Are you going to do cancer research?"
No. I'm going to study plant problems, not people problems, because that's what I find more interesting. Cancer is not the only important field of research in the world.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

Ah, totally agree! I hate when people act like being a doctor is the ultimate end goal for all science and healthcare learning, any anything else is just a step down.
"Oh, I thought you were pre-med because of your major." I practically hear the disappointment trumpet when people find out I'm going for a Masters or PhD and not an MD. It's not that I couldn't be a medical doctor, it's just not what I want to do, and I'm sure many nurses are the same way.
Related to that: "Are you going to do cancer research?"
No. I'm going to study plant problems, not people problems, because that's what I find more interesting. Cancer is not the only important field of research in the world.

This.
Always the disappointment when finding out that I don't want to be a therapist or clinical psychologist, but am getting my Masters in psychology. Like it's the only road to take upon graduation.

[AOII Angel]

Be happy as a woman that it has gotten to this point. I can't tell you how many times as a physician I have been called a nurse even after I have introduced myself as the patient's physician. People naturally assumed that if you were female you weren't the doctor. That is going away. It's a good thing, so take the annoying, "Oh you're so smart; you're not pre-med?" with it. It is a step in the right direction for women.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Be happy as a woman that it has gotten to this point. I can't tell you how many times as a physician I have been called a nurse even after I have introduced myself as the patient's physician. People naturally assumed that if you were female you weren't the doctor. That is going away. It's a good thing, so take the annoying, "Oh you're so smart; you're not pre-med?" with it. It is a step in the right direction for women.

I used to get the "Oh you're so smart; you're not pre-med?" all the time.

My response was "Nope. I'll make the drugs - you can push 'em."

[christiangirl]

"Are you ok?"

NO. If my face said anything close to "I'm ok," you wouldn't be staring at me with startled pity. I'm sick. I'm exhausted. I hurt everywhere. Stop asking if I'm ok!

<----complete and total crabbypants

[adpimiz]

"States have started petitions to secede from the United States.."

WHAT?! I am Republican and was upset about the election, but this is just ridiculous. We need to come together as a country, not try to do silly things like this.

[KSUViolet06]

^^^^Even better than my all-time fave "I'm moving to Canada."

YES. If you're opposed to universal health care, that is the PERFECT place for you.

[adpimiz]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

^^^^Even better than my all-time fave "I'm moving to Canada."

YES. If you're opposed to universal health care, that is the PERFECT place for you.

I know, right?! It's all just pathetic.

[ADPi95]

What? You don't want children? Do you not like children?

UGH! No, we just don't want kids, but yes, we like children.

Then comes my other "favorite": Then why did you get married?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by ADPi95

What? You don't want children? Do you not like children?

UGH! No, we just don't want kids, but yes, we like children.

Then comes my other "favorite": Then why did you get married?

When I'm asked questions like these now, I try to go for the most shocking responses.

"You don't want children? Do you not like them?"
"No, I don't. Puppies are cuter.. I think I'll get one of those."

"Then why did you get married?"
"For the tax breaks."

It's always fun to see how people respond. If it's someone I'm not too fond of (and who annoys the crap out of me), it's hilarious. I gave some kind of response like this to someone recently, and they looked at me in horror, said, "Oh.. that's nice.." and walked away.

If it's my family or friends, they usually just laugh and realize that I don't feel like discussing it.

[AOII Angel]

I just say...yes, I hate kids or I like money too much. It offends people enough to shut them up.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

"States have started petitions to secede from the United States.."

That gave me a WTF moment, too. Although, if Florida were to secede, I wouldn't cry any tears. No more whining about hanging/pregnant chad and 10-page ballots that no one can figure out. Best of all, my in-laws would be living in a foreign country!

Originally Posted by ADPi95

What? You don't want children? Do you not like children?

UGH! No, we just don't want kids, but yes, we like children.

Then comes my other "favorite": Then why did you get married?

Do not even START me on this one. My husband and I got married because we love each other. Just because a couple gets married does not mean they are required to breed. If that were the case, no older or infertile couples would ever marry.

[ADPi95]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

When I'm asked questions like these now, I try to go for the most shocking responses.

"You don't want children? Do you not like them?"
"No, I don't. Puppies are cuter.. I think I'll get one of those."

"Then why did you get married?"
"For the tax breaks."

It's always fun to see how people respond. If it's someone I'm not too fond of (and who annoys the crap out of me), it's hilarious. I gave some kind of response like this to someone recently, and they looked at me in horror, said, "Oh.. that's nice.." and walked away.

If it's my family or friends, they usually just laugh and realize that I don't feel like discussing it.

Thanks for the all the responses (too many to quote)...made me smile! I usually respond with: "I don't have kids because I like to sleep in." And, "We got married because neither of us wanted kids!"

Kids are great...just not for me

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by ADPi95

Thanks for the all the responses (too many to quote)...made me smile! I usually respond with: "I don't have kids because I like to sleep in." And, "We got married because neither of us wanted kids!"

Kids are great...just not for me

I usually just go into my "the world is overpopulated speech" and that shuts people up real quick.

[KSUViolet06]

^^^^My fave thing = You don't really think you want kids? Then why are you a teacher?

Um, you can WORK with kids yet not particularly want any of your own.

Also, not being sure if I want any of my own doesn't mean that I hate them.

Also, when I tell people I may consider adopting an older kid or teen at some point:

"But why would you want someone ELSE'S kid?"
"I could never love a kid that I didn't actually give birth to."
"But why would you want to miss out on the birth experience?"
"Why wouldn't you want a baby???"

Motherhood comes in many forms. To insist that a child "is not yours" because they're adopted is really offensive. Also, not everyone wants "the baby experience."