Not measuring up...

I am seeing a new dentist that is very nice. What is causing me to feel anxious and worried is that his associate that works in the same office or nearby has a dental assistant that I went to school.

She was alway popular at school. She now has 3 kids, married, nice home, works part time, nice husband......list goes on. I have none of this except my home is paid for. And I have gained weight since high school. I feel inferior to her and don't want to "run into her" at the dentist's office.

((((Zen888))))

(((((Zen)))))

I totally hear your anxiety!!!

This may sound a little mean....but it could be kind of funny....depending on your ideas of what funny is, I guess....

But....if you did run into her, you could always just smile at her and then compliment her on how much better her teeth look now since you last saw eachother.

Something like "Wow....your teeth look great. You had some great work done!! They look soooo much better than they did back in school!!! Nice to see you again....Bye now!!"

Again...a bit mean, maybe, but I have come across some ex school mates that used to bully me in school and I've used this tactic before to help me not spin out when I came face to face with them and it gave me a little bit of oomph in my step and got me through it!!

I hope this doesn't offend anyone.....I do not often appreciate crudeness or advocate it, but sometimes, just maybe there is an occasional place for it?

This lady did have dental issues as a child so I don't think it would go over to well if I were to make light of her teeth that are now straight. But I do see your point in it.

I'd probably try to think of it this way...

She has things in her life that make you feel lesser than her - but for all you know, she may have feelings of anxiety & inferiority. What you see as apparent successes, she may actually see as disappointments. She may feel that she doesn't measure up in ways you have no idea about. Everybody presents something of a facade to the outside world & it's only when you get close to people that you start to see what their perspectives may really be like. Sometimes you find that they're unexpectedly close to your own.

I do understand how you feel, though - I've been (and still go) there, too. On the other hand, good dentists are worth their weight in gold & having a paid-up home is something to be feel good about in this economic climate.

((((((((((((((((((( Zen888 )))))))))))))))))))

Hugs Zen At least you are paying attention to your dental cair (sp) Very simple... if you felt super unconfortable... try and get a new dentist Don't know where you reside... but hopefully not as isolated as I am