This is Part 2 of my Retirement Dinner Story
To catch up click here to read Part 1
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There were over a hundred people attending this retirement dinner. If you were not a doctor, or a doctor's wife, you either worked directly with Doc C or were a member of his family.
At the announcement inviting (or rather herding) us into the dining room for dinner, we all picked up our name card and shuffled through the doors to find ourselves a table. I think most wives would agree, by this time, we would have already conversed, chosen a table and made arrangements as to who we were sitting with, who was in charge of grabbing a table, saving seats, etc.
At the announcement inviting (or rather herding) us into the dining room for dinner, we all picked up our name card and shuffled through the doors to find ourselves a table. I think most wives would agree, by this time, we would have already conversed, chosen a table and made arrangements as to who we were sitting with, who was in charge of grabbing a table, saving seats, etc.
Men don't do this.
Instead, I found myself aimlessly following (and perhaps wobbling a bit-- the stilettos--those damn shoes!) Doc H around the dining room (this was his gig, not mine) as he tried to locate someone he would like to sit with.
Here's a classic example of a fundamental difference between men and women. Doc H is searching for someone specific in a dining partner. Someone he can rub elbows with. Someone he can network with. Someone who he would like to pass ideas by or perhaps informally screen for a potential job. If he has his way, he won't sit by a random person. He'll be gathering information, gathering data. He will be working this dinner.
We, ladies, will go straight to our friends and sit together to have a gab fest, drink free wine and cocktails, and have a great time. Work can wait until Monday morning. This is a social occasion, after all... a party, for the love of Jiminy Crickets! Did I mention the drinks are free? The drinks ARE FREEEEEEEE!
Despite all this, and regardless of the fact we happened to be one of the first couples in the dining room, we ended up being one of the last to sit down due to the circular dance we performed as Doc H tried to find a suitable dining partner. We ended up much like Baby, and found ourselves seated in the corner among the ficus trees...with only one other doctor seated at our table. No wife, no girlfriend, not even a stinking date for me to occupy my time with. At this point, I would've been happy had he brought along a paid escort. No such luck. Just me and two blood and guts guys. Me and two guys who wield a scalpel for a living. Me and two guys who slice and dice. Human beings.
It was at this point, I realized I left my iPhone at home. No Twitter, no Facebook, no Pinterest, no Instagram, no texting, no apps, no games, no blogging, no nothing. No. Nada. Zilch.
Here's a classic example of a fundamental difference between men and women. Doc H is searching for someone specific in a dining partner. Someone he can rub elbows with. Someone he can network with. Someone who he would like to pass ideas by or perhaps informally screen for a potential job. If he has his way, he won't sit by a random person. He'll be gathering information, gathering data. He will be working this dinner.
We, ladies, will go straight to our friends and sit together to have a gab fest, drink free wine and cocktails, and have a great time. Work can wait until Monday morning. This is a social occasion, after all... a party, for the love of Jiminy Crickets! Did I mention the drinks are free? The drinks ARE FREEEEEEEE!
Despite all this, and regardless of the fact we happened to be one of the first couples in the dining room, we ended up being one of the last to sit down due to the circular dance we performed as Doc H tried to find a suitable dining partner. We ended up much like Baby, and found ourselves seated in the corner among the ficus trees...with only one other doctor seated at our table. No wife, no girlfriend, not even a stinking date for me to occupy my time with. At this point, I would've been happy had he brought along a paid escort. No such luck. Just me and two blood and guts guys. Me and two guys who wield a scalpel for a living. Me and two guys who slice and dice. Human beings.
It was at this point, I realized I left my iPhone at home. No Twitter, no Facebook, no Pinterest, no Instagram, no texting, no apps, no games, no blogging, no nothing. No. Nada. Zilch.
This was going to be a long night.
S-O-B.
S-O-B.
So much happened at this dinner, I've decided to write a few installments so I don't overwhelm you or take up too much of your day. Please be sure to follow via GFC, Linky, email, Twitter, or Facebook to make sure you don't miss out on the rest of the story.