What do you do when your dental hygienist starts asking you political questions? (Barack Obama, school)

[gentlearts]

I would do what you did. I would tell her employer that she was inappropriate.
I have had a few clients at work express a political opinion and have agreed with them. Perhaps the hygienist just needs to learn to gauge he clients more accurately. Since she can't, she should shut up.

[momonkey]

Originally Posted by hotair2

Imagine going to see a proctologist and just before he does the procedure he asks...oh by the way, Republican or Democrat? You tell me who has thick skin then.

I would be keenly interested in the political opinions of a proctologist since he or she would have so much practical hands-on experience dealing with the ***holes in both parties.

[Hatetheheat01]

I would of agreed with her!

[boycewv]

You did the right thing, the Dentist should thank you, politics can cause a good business man problems. I'm not afraid to report someone and if they ask I would say that yes I did report you because what you did was unprofessional. People in my office talk politics and while I would never turn in a coworker, that's a little different, they have been told that politics should not be discussed at work. A liberal and a conservative now sit next to each other, the tension is palpable. No one knows where I stand because I refuse to talk about politics at work, I just say things like yea Obama lost that debate, showing that I follow politics but I'm not going to express my dislike for a candidate.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by Wapasha

So they were supposed to have one of the liberal cable news channels on?

Uh, I didn't realize those were the only TV options. My vet doesn't have television in the lobby, but if they did, I'd think something relevant like Animal Planet or NatGeo would have been sufficient. Sheesh, do you guys think EVERYTHING is related to politics?

And to the OP, I do think her phrasing of the question was inappropriate. Living in a very left-leaning area myself, it's not unusual to have doctors & so forth casually bring up liberal politics... but usually it's done so in a respectful manner, not like "pleeeease don't tell me you're a Republican!" Sometimes the folks around here (myself included) do forget right-leaners exist, though! I'll occasionally make an off-the-cuff comment to a patron, and then quickly have to self-censor like "I mean, the same goes for Obama/Romney/etc."

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by pghquest

Sounds like the dentis is smarter than then OP who sounds very intolerant of someone elses opinion..

Not really. It was the hygienist, for one thing, and the OP never said they were intolerant of the opinion - they said it was inappropriate to discuss in that setting. Nice attempt at playing the "liberals are so intolerant card," though.

Do you think it's appropriate to talk politics while you're pointing sharp objects at a person's mouth?

[Cavaturaccioli]

Originally Posted by hotair2

Went to the dentist today. There is a TV in the room. I have it on CNN, and the hygienist (new) says "please don't tell me you are going to vote for Obama", incredulously. I have never met this person before in my life. This is the person who is going to be working on my mouth in a few minutes.

I just looked at her. I was so taken aback I did not know how to respond. I did not want to **** her off before she finished with my mouth. After I got my crown, I told the Dentist, who I have known for a long time, but have no idea what his party affiliation is, nor do I care. I told him it was inappropriate. He agreed and said it was unacceptable and that he would terminate her if I thought that was right thing to do.

Of course, I did not want her to be terminated. She was young and stupid. I just asked for a new hygienist the next time. My whole family uses this dentist. He probably has made about 10K off of us this year alone.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

I think this sort of thing is happening more and more of late. Yes, it is inappropriate. When confronted in this way I politely decline and say something like "Never discuss sex,religion, politics,or sports at a bar or (in this case) a dentist's office."

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Not really. It was the hygienist, for one thing, and "someone else's opinion" on politics have no place in that professional setting... or do you think it's appropriate to talk politics while you're pointing sharp objects at a person's mouth?

The OP never said they were intolerant of the opinion - they said it was inappropriate to discuss in that setting. Nice attempt at playing the "liberals are so intolerant card," though.

Bingo, this is it, there what the hygenist did was unprofessional.
Just amazing there seem to be so many folks that dont get that there is such a thing as professional conduct.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by pch1013

If my dental hygienist started asking me political questions, I'd probably say "Mfff nng mmfmmm *spit* aaaaagh."

LOL...This one^^^^

[charolastra00]

In 2008, I had a hygienist tell me that she would vote for Obama, except that his name "just doesn't sound American". I told her that it was inappropriate to discuss politics in this setting, that I disagreed with her, and I would be reporting her to the dentist (who I have known since I was 2) for lack of professionalism. The dentist told me that I was the 2nd person to report her that day - and the first had been a Republican! I discuss politics with my coworkers - but not in front of our student workers, donors, or "clients". Just avoid talking about politics in any kind of situation where it might negatively impact your business - not that hard!