[design219]

Does this bother anyone, or is it just me?

I go out for lunch and see a number of people wearing medical scrubs. I don't know if these people are from the hospital, clinics, dentist offices, labs, vets, or where. Are they to lazy to change for lunch, trying to show off, or what?

I don't like eating next to someone why may have just left a grizzly medical procedure, or do I want to be treated by someone who has mustard on their scrubs. I thought the purpose of wearing scrubs was to keep the medical environment clean. Am I missing something? Anybody else seen this behavior?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Somehow I doubt someone who left a grizzly medical procedure is wearing the same scrubs. As for the rest, I imagine it's the same laziness that keeps a construction worker from changing out of his sweaty dirty clothes or a lawyer from his fine suit.

ANything else i can help you with today?

[nonhuman]

I see it all the time on the T. But usually it's people who are commuting to or from Mass General Hospital.

Do you go to work in street clothes and then change into a suit/business casual/whatever at the office? Why should they?

[cjrivera]

In many cases, scrubs are used as a uniform in medical offices, even people who don't have direct physical contact with patients. (receptionists/billing personnel). You don't expect anyone who wears a uniform (police, construction, etc.) to change into street clothes to go out to eat?

And if there is a "grizzly medical procedure" (I'm guessing you're talking surgery), they usually gown up in sterile gowns on top of their scrubs to maintain a sterile environment.

[design219]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

ANything else i can help you with today?

I have an annoying itch I can't reach between my shoulder blades.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by design219 

I have an annoying itch I can't reach between my shoulder blades.

Buttscratcher?

[design219]

Originally Posted by cjrivera 

You don't expect anyone who wears a uniform (police, construction, etc.) to change into street clothes to go out to eat?

Yes, I see your all's points, but the medical profession seems a little different than your typical uniformed professional. Why wear scrubs at all if not to give the appearance of a clean environment?

[Dakar the Fourth]

You said appearance, not reality. Wearing scrubs when they don't need to gives exactly that. Your seeing them at you local Pantera bread let's you know about the reality.
Yes that was on purpose.

[ghporter]

If you see people in scrubs, it probably means that they have left some clinical setting for lunch, NOT that they've just left some messy and stomach-churning procedure. In procedures, one is gowned, wears shoe covers, a hair net and gloves; nothing they wear on the street is exposed.

On the other hand, scrubs aren't something I'd wear outside of work, lunch and maybe a stop on the way home. It's a work uniform to me, and one that has a particular purpose. The thing about scrubs is that they are supposed to be easy to move in, easy to wear and easy to clean, making them very appropriate for a clinical setting. If one is going to be doing ANYTHING more involved than just touching a patient, one will be wearing a lot of other stuff, including gowns and such.

Last time I wore scrubs was in a rehab unit at a local hospital; the therapist who was training me and I often wound up serving the patients their lunches because the nursing staff usually had specific procedures they needed to do right at lunch time (blood sugars and such) and there were only so many nurses around. We wore scrubs to treat patients and to serve them their lunches-and they KNEW what sort of things were going on on that unit.

[MacosNerd]

I dunno, I work for a hospital, so I'm used to seeing folks in scrubs

Is it any different then seeing folks walking around in the pajama bottoms. I saw one young girl on the train this past winter in those pajama bottoms, and flip flops. The problem was that it was cold and wet, flip flops and light attire is for the summer.

[Randman]

It would bother me more if people started going out for lunch and whatnot wearing hospital gowns. A little butt cleaveage on a hit chick is nice but it can be overdone.

[Mithras]

Originally Posted by design219 

...may have just left a grizzly medical procedure...

Grizzly medical procedure:


When my wife was in medical school, she, her colleagues, (and I) would wear scrubs all the time. Though the hospital had a problem with people taking them to wear at home, so they made them as ugly as possible, with the hospital's name stamped all over the place.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Speaking of as ugly as possible, if I was a nurse I'd never be caught in public with one of their smocks.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by design219 

trying to show off

Ya, nurses are soooooo cool!

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

Is it any different then seeing folks walking around in the pajama bottoms. I saw one young girl on the train this past winter in those pajama bottoms, and flip flops. The problem was that it was cold and wet, flip flops and light attire is for the summer.

She must be taking fashion advice from The Dude

[design219]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Ya, nurses are soooooo cool!

I've saw a couple guys I know to be physicians at McDonalds earlier this week. The scrubs were not as odd as the thought of medical doctors eating there at all.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

She must be taking fashion advice from The Dude

Pretty much

[Tomchu]

I'm sure it's a show-off thing for some ...

just like the asshats who rip by in their toy Asian cars with fartcans bolted on, elitist d-bags who walk around all over the place with those effing Bluetooth headsets TALKING LIKE THIS, and stuck-up snobs who whip out their iPhones every 15 seconds for no purpose whatsoever other than to subtly point out to anyone near by that they have an iPhone.

[hyteckit]

I wear a straight jacket out in public. People look at me all weird like I just escape from a mental institution or something.

[Jawbone54]

The scrubs don't bother me, but the Crocs do.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by Tomchu 

stuck-up snobs who whip out their iPhones every 15 seconds for no purpose whatsoever other than to subtly point out to anyone near by that they have an iPhone.

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by design219 

Are they to lazy to change for lunch, trying to show off, or what?

When I worked in theatres I used to wear my blues to lunch. Buggered if I'm going to spend 10 minutes of my 30 minute lunch break getting changed. If I was going further than 200 metres from the hospital I'd get into my street gear.

And I wouldn't wear "scrubs", as you call them, on the bus home. That's just weird.

Staff are in and out of theatres all day for a variety of reasons. Getting changed every time you leave simply isn't feasible.

[climber]

It's better than walking around with a hospital gown in public.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by climber 

It's better than walking around with a hospital gown in public.

Or when people go skiing they keep the ski lift tags on their coat for a while after to show off they went skiing. Whenever I see someone who does that I make a scene and rip it off for them.

Even worse when people keep that plastic medical bracelet on their wrists for days after they get out of hospital.

[as2]

Worse than people in scrubs, is patients stood or sat in wheelchairs outside the front of hospitals in the UK smoking. You have to walk through a haze of smoke to get into the hospital!

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by as2 

You have to walk through a haze of smoke to get into the hospital!

Which explains why they should just let them smoke inside the hospital!

[RAILhead]

Is this thread really happening? Did someone break the internet?

[cybergoober]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

You said appearance, not reality. Wearing scrubs when they don't need to gives exactly that. Your seeing them at you local Pantera bread let's you know about the reality.
Yes that was on purpose.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

Which explains why they should just let them smoke inside the hospital!

I hope you're joking. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke impairs healing, can result in enough reduction in blood oxygen saturation that people with asthma or congestive heart failure could actually lose consciousness, and a whole host of other things.

The ideal is to not allow ANY smoking ANYWHERE NEAR the hospital. But this "smokers clustered around the entrance" thing is not just about hospitals. It's about exceptionally rude smokers who don't give a damn about other people having to try to breathe while they go in or out of whatever the building is.

[Chuckit]

Or exceptionally rude (OK, exaggeration* to mirror Glenn's original post) non-smokers who don't give a damn about other people having to smoke without walking to another area code? Honestly, cars mess up my breathing much worse than some guy smoking five feet away, but I don't campaign to get those banished from my sight. All the disrespect aimed at smokers seems a bit unfair to me.

*Note: I don't actually think this is exceptionally rude. It's merely inconsiderate in the way people normally are towards people with different habits that they find distasteful.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by cybergoober 

Nice catch.

-t

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Or exceptionally rude (OK, exaggeration* to mirror Glenn's original post) non-smokers who don't give a damn about other people having to smoke without walking to another area code? Honestly, cars mess up my breathing much worse than some guy smoking five feet away, but I don't campaign to get those banished from my sight. All the disrespect aimed at smokers seems a bit unfair to me.

*Note: I don't actually think this is exceptionally rude. It's merely inconsiderate in the way people normally are towards people with different habits that they find distasteful.

I grew up in a home where both of my parents smoked. After I left home I avoided smoke as much as possible, and eventually managed to avoid it altogether. Now, when I'm exposed to cigarette smoke, it causes some pretty severe reactions; I have problems breathing, my eyes water, my nose clogs up, etc. What I'm calling rude is the way most smokers don't even consider that their smoke is a problem for anyone—in spite of the fact that they're required to go outside to smoke. So they stick right next to the door. It seems very petty to me.

My mother smoked for WAY too long, but she was a "polite" smoker. She'd go out of her way to NOT be a problem to nonsmokers. Because of her I know it's possible to be polite and smoke, but I don't see that happen very much at all. And because the people I see standing right in the door smoking like there's no tomorrow seem to be making a statement by doing that, I react by making my own statement. I may be wrong about their motivations, but I am certainly impacted by their behaviors.

[misc]

I wouldn't even think twice about changing from my theatre blacks into street clothes nor would I expect hospital employees to.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

I grew up in a home where both of my parents smoked. After I left home I avoided smoke as much as possible, and eventually managed to avoid it altogether. Now, when I'm exposed to cigarette smoke, it causes some pretty severe reactions; I have problems breathing, my eyes water, my nose clogs up, etc. What I'm calling rude is the way most smokers don't even consider that their smoke is a problem for anyone—in spite of the fact that they're required to go outside to smoke. So they stick right next to the door. It seems very petty to me.

My mother smoked for WAY too long, but she was a "polite" smoker. She'd go out of her way to NOT be a problem to nonsmokers. Because of her I know it's possible to be polite and smoke, but I don't see that happen very much at all. And because the people I see standing right in the door smoking like there's no tomorrow seem to be making a statement by doing that, I react by making my own statement. I may be wrong about their motivations, but I am certainly impacted by their behaviors.

Perhaps smokers where you are smoke a lot closer to the door than they do anywhere I've been. When you said "next to the door," I was thinking five feet away or so like every smoker I've ever known. If they're actually smoking physically in the doorway and blowing smoke in your face, I see the problem.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Perhaps smokers where you are smoke a lot closer to the door than they do anywhere I've been. When you said "next to the door," I was thinking five feet away or so like every smoker I've ever known. If they're actually smoking physically in the doorway and blowing smoke in your face, I see the problem.

"In the door" is a mild exaggeration. Right next to the door, where they can feel the A/C blowing out is very accurate.

[red rocket]

What pisses me off more than people wearing scrubs in public is off-duty soldiers wearing uniforms or fatigues in public. I keep hearing military people complaining in the media that people should be respecting them, but since I don’t live in a ****ing war zone, I say the bastards can keep their militarist costumes in the bloody wardrobe when they’re not off in some 3rd world country shooting brown people. Respect, **** that.

[Face Ache]

and don't get me started about Klan members at the supermarket. If you aren't burning a cross, keep it to yourself.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by red rocket 

What pisses me off more than people wearing scrubs in public is off-duty soldiers wearing uniforms or fatigues in public. I keep hearing military people complaining in the media that people should be respecting them, but since I don’t live in a ****ing war zone, I say the bastards can keep their militarist costumes in the bloody wardrobe when they’re not off in some 3rd world country shooting brown people. Respect, **** that.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Those military people are part of your community, so why should they NOT use the grocery store on the way home from their duty day? At least you notice them, which is saying something. Calling a duty uniform a "militarist costume" is an affront to every single GI who has voluntarily worn a uniform and defended his or her country in the face of imminent danger. I wore a uniform for over 23 years, and was proud to defend even the idiots who would rather have safe and comfy tyranny (like that ever really happens) than uncomfortable freedom.

Your lack of respect for people who face down "brown people" whose aim is to physically destroy them and everything they stand for (like your right to voice your opinion of them) is discouraging. Maybe if you actually had a clue about what you're talking about it might make a difference...

Yes, you got me started. On the eve of Memorial Day of all days, don't you think you might just consider how many people have died just so you can be rude about their sacrifice?

[design219]

You showed remarkable restraint. Well done, and well said.

[turtle777]

Yes, Glenn, well put.

I'd probably have handed out an infraction. Calling them bastards and alluding to them shooting people out of racist motives is more than I'd wanna read in the Lounge about.

-t

[James L]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

You have no idea what you're talking about. Those military people are part of your community, so why should they NOT use the grocery store on the way home from their duty day? At least you notice them, which is saying something. Calling a duty uniform a "militarist costume" is an affront to every single GI who has voluntarily worn a uniform and defended his or her country in the face of imminent danger. I wore a uniform for over 23 years, and was proud to defend even the idiots who would rather have safe and comfy tyranny (like that ever really happens) than uncomfortable freedom.

Your lack of respect for people who face down "brown people" whose aim is to physically destroy them and everything they stand for (like your right to voice your opinion of them) is discouraging. Maybe if you actually had a clue about what you're talking about it might make a difference...

Yes, you got me started. On the eve of Memorial Day of all days, don't you think you might just consider how many people have died just so you can be rude about their sacrifice?

Considering the incredible level of ignorance in red rocket's post I am seriously impressed with the tact in your reply.

Thanks for your years of service. Don't feel you always need to be so restrained here!

[ghporter]

That restraint comes from years of not having enough of it and paying for it in ways I can't even describe. Oh he lit my fire! But I'm OK now, really I am.

Going from one form of service career to another has shown me that there is very little difference between any industry and any other industry. There's a uniform (if you don't think most office workers wear a uniform, suggest that they wear a flowered shirt and shorts to work on Tuesday and see what their reaction is), there's a basic set of responsibilities, and there's always someone demanding that you do much more with much less. The biggest difference I see in the health care industry is that people's titles are different. Instead of Major Smith and Colonel Jones, I'll be talking to Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones... I guess I'll fit in fine. In scrubs.

[MindFad]

Originally Posted by Face Ache 

and don't get me started about Klan members at the supermarket. If you aren't burning a cross, keep it to yourself.

[Tiresias]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I saw one young girl on the train this past winter in those pajama bottoms, and flip flops.

That's Hot.™

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Tiresias 

That's Hot.™

Only if she's not shivering. I saw a few guys on campus early in the year wearing shorts, tees and sandals on a day when we had quite a cold snap. I guess they were too cool to shiver, but they looked very out of place.

[Mister Elf]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Yes, you got me started. On the eve of Memorial Day of all days, don't you think you might just consider how many people have died just so you can be rude about their sacrifice?

I'm going to add to the thanks for both your restraint and your reply. The fact that my day clothes are covered in oddly-colored splotches does not make them any less legitimate of a working outfit. Same with scrubs, as a matter of fact. It's a matter of convenience; neither we nor the vast majority of the people you'll see in scrubs are trying to impress you.

Ghporter, thank you for your service.

[Tiresias]

Like people wearing woolen beanies in summer.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

(if you don't think most office workers wear a uniform, suggest that they wear a flowered shirt and shorts to work on Tuesday and see what their reaction is)

Me and a couple of buddies at the office used to do that every Wednesday. Got some odd looks, but nothing more than that. Fortunately, we sat far away from where the customers roam.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Me and a couple of buddies at the office used to do that every Wednesday. Got some odd looks, but nothing more than that. Fortunately, we sat far away from where the customers roam.

I'll say that my crew was "less than careful" about our uniforms when we were working on the Ft. Kobe receiver site in Panama. We had something like 50 acres of antenna farm around us, and ANYONE who wanted to come visit us had to call first so we could let them into the fence. Same sort of situation—whenever "people" saw us, we were as sharp as all get out. No flowery shirts, mind you, but the uniform blouse (that's the BDU shirt for those of you without military experience) was definitely NOT worn unless we had company.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

I'll say that my crew was "less than careful" about our uniforms when we were working on the Ft. Kobe receiver site in Panama. We had something like 50 acres of antenna farm around us, and ANYONE who wanted to come visit us had to call first so we could let them into the fence. Same sort of situation—whenever "people" saw us, we were as sharp as all get out. No flowery shirts, mind you, but the uniform blouse (that's the BDU shirt for those of you without military experience) was definitely NOT worn unless we had company.

In Iraq, we'd remove the name tape and, often, the rank, when we were "outside the wire" or working around non-Coalition forces.