8/27/2008
Hiding the Underwear
A funny conversation happened today in the clinic. It started out as my colleague and I discussed how when we see female patients we need more time so we are not able to see as many women as men.
We often have to step out to let the female patient undress, bring in a nurse to assist, set her up for a pelvic, and step out again to let her dress. We typically ask men to just lower their pants and underwear.
And then the observation: women have to fold their underwear neatly and tuck it in her pants or skirt. Physicians are not allowed to see this ritual. But almost all women know this curious behavior. My colleague states, “It doesn’t matter that I’m about to see everything, I’m not allowed to see her underwear.”
Men on the other hand, don’t seem to care. Even when we step out and let them wear a gown, the underwear just lies there. No folding, no tucking. They don’t care who sees it.
Why is that? What are we hiding? Are we embarrassed? I have no answer, but just observing another interesting difference between men and women.
Posted 1:27 PM