DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a female physician in a rural town. This is a retirement community, and I have a number of older male patients. Sometimes a man will stand when I enter the exam room, and it is such a delightful sign of respect.
I am not certain of what my response should be. Since I am grateful for such treatment, I say “thank you” and proceed with the visit. Is there a better response?
GENTLE READER: Yes: “Good morning. Please sit down. How do you feel today?”
It is not clear to Miss Manners whether you believe this gesture is meant as a courtesy from a gentleman to a lady, in which case it is out of place in a professional setting, or is intended to show respect to you as a doctor, which is only slightly excessive.
No matter. In any case, it is obviously well meant. Acknowledging it with more than a polite smile would be making too much of an issue of it. Even in social life, this does not require thanks, and in your office, doing so would seem to accept it as obeisance.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN
DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
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