6A
FEATURES
Chitchat annoys patient
Dear Annie: I recently went sionals who talk nonstop while
to see my doctor about some delivering their services. I don’t
troublesome symptoms I had see the need for all the chitchat
been experiencing, and the entire beyond what is called for in
time he was examining me, he terms of common courtesy and
kept up a running monologue professionalism.
about the holidays and politics
I am not a crabby old lady who
and other assorted top-
always finds fault. I just
DEAR
ics. I responded as nec-
want people to focus on
essary, but mostly I
the task at hand. Multi-
ANNIE
tasking has been proved
found myself wondering
to negatively affect per-
how he could be doing a
formance, so why don’t
good job of listening to
people just be quiet and
my heart and lungs over
do their jobs? Is it just
the sound of his own
me, or is there an epi-
voice. He did not spend
demic of too much chat-
nearly as much time dis-
Lane
cussing my treatment Annie
tiness going on? —
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
as he did chatting about
Enough Chatter
unrelated subjects.
Dear Enough Chat-
I realize that a certain amount ter: Small talk isn’t for every-
of casual conversation helps to one. But it’s less and less com-
put the patient at ease and to con- mon these days, when so many
vey understanding and empathy, people prefer texting faraway
but enough is enough. And see- friends to talking with people
ing as he came in to see me nearly who are in the same room. So
two hours past my appointment try to appreciate this chitchat for
time, I’m guessing his tendency the attempt at human connec-
to make excessive conversation tion it is. That said, your doc-
tor, of all people, should recog-
is what makes him run late.
Although I am always nize and respect your boundaries
friendly and appropriately as a patient. So don’t be afraid
responsive, I also have issues to express how you feel with a
with my hairstylist and mani- simple statement (and a smile,
curist and other service profes- if you’d like to soften the edge):
“Really, I am much more inter-
ested in your observations about
my health than in talking about
politics.” Saying this with a
warm smile will help.
Dear Annie: I can respect
your answer to “New Grandma,”
who felt shut out of her grand-
child’s life, but I thought a little
more was needed — namely, a
word to parents on how import-
ant it is for grandparents to be
allowed to see their grandchil-
dren at least occasionally. I hav-
en’t seen my grandson in over
a year and get to FaceTime him
only four times a year. We beg
my son and daughter-in-law to
come visit or to allow us to visit.
We offer to cover any flights,
hotels and rental cars, as well as
lunches and dinners for us all.
He’s 7 now! I even started vol-
unteering to read to schoolchil-
dren so I can feel a little like a
grandma. — Heartbroken
Dear Heartbroken: I’m
so sorry you’ve not been able
to spend more time with your
grandson. I commend you for
signing up for the reading pro-
gram. You could have easily just
wallowed in your heartache, as
so many of us do when we’re
feeling down.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not the
weather; you’re the sky. Do you see the sky
clinging to the puffy white clouds or trying to trap
the rain in one place? The sky doesn’t have to
push or pull the weather along. It only needs to
let it happen.
afraid to be taken advantage of or ill-appreciated.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your reputation
proceeds you. And don’t worry: It’s stellar, not
because of your excellent public relations plan,
but because you do the right thing consistently
and people trust you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Although it’s
never too late to set things straight, think twice
before you do it. Make sure you have all relevant
information and you know how you feel about it.
There’s nothing worse than having to take back
amends.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The details of self-
care will be worth every penny and hour you
spend on them. It’s not about being who they
want you to be. It’s about a presentation that
allows you to lose all self-conscious so you can
relax and be your best.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re willing
to take the necessary steps to further your
professional life, except you’re not so sure what
they are. Ask someone who’s been there. Bonus
points if they have nothing to lose or gain from
your decisions.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People will perform to
their potential because of the example of excel-
lence you set. So don’t worry about leading your
people. You’ll lead them just by being masterly at
what you do.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). On a viral video, a
boy waves slowly to a lizard. The lizard waves
slowly back. Some laugh. Some say it’s a coinci-
dence. Some take it as a sign, but of what? You
look for evidence of CGI: You’re not a skeptic, but
you’re nobody’s fool.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What allows you to
have more people in your life? A firm set of rules
about relationships, that’s what. With awesome
boundaries and structures in place, you won’t be
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Pay attention to
the things you do when you’re supposed to be
doing something else. Those activities are more
than mere distractions. They are pulling you for a
reason. Could they be a key to your purpose?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s so
much hype in and around today with people
wanting you to buy things, buy into their story,
etc. Disconnect from the drama-barrage in favor
of simple pleasures such as a walk, a cup of tea
or the experience of beauty.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Super-sight is
yours today. You’ll see how it really is and how
it will be, too. Although you should be warned
not to make any decision based purely on the
potential in things.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When it all
starts to get out of hand, that will be a positive
occurrence — an affirmation that your life is a
co-creation with the universal forces. So, you
can’t control it all. Good! Why would you ever
want to?
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 9). You’ll
strike upon your next calling. This will take a
while to put together. You’ll do steady research
and development then you’ll really get it going
in May. Day trips will be lucky for you. There’s so
much to see very close to you, and you’ll bond
with loved ones over the experiences you create.
Sagittarius and Cancer adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 6, 30, 12, 19 and 43.