Levin+Clue+2a

Going to the student health center on campus feels more like going into a planned parenthood or a clinic instead of going into a doctor's office. Peopl do their best to avoid eye cocntact from others; people will pretend to read pamphlets, text friends, read book, or just stare at the floor. People do their best not to sit next to anyone; there are usually empty seats between people in the waiting room. The room is silent except for the people who work behind the desk, who speak freely and comfortatbly with each other. When peopl come in, they have to tell the receptionist their name, and most do so very softly so no one else hears. When the nurse practitioners call someone's name the person enter and the nurse asks, "how are you" most patients respond with, "good" or "okay'. No one sayd bad right off the bat. After the patient leaves, if they have been given a medication, they hold their paper bag of medicine close to them and quickly pay for their medication. Most put the paper bag away before leaving the office. Most people expect that others in the waiting room are there for something more seriouos than a cough or cold. Since it is a college health center, a few people may think of STDs when they see others waiting in the waiting room. We fear the judgement of others so we don't let others know why we are there and we certainly don't ask why anyone else is there. Even if someone goes in just for cough medicine, they will not offer information about their sickness; they fear others suspect something worse. We are a very private society and we do not like eletting others into our personal lives, especially in a dotors office.