1. Have recent events affected how often you visit the dentist? Are you a good patient? Most people feel anxious about visiting the dentist, are you one of them? Why did you choose your dentist and not another?
2. Do you have any techniques to help you relax while you are at the dentist's surgery? Does the surgery try to create a relaxing atmosphere with pastel colours in the waiting room and by playing music?
3. What manner should a dentist have? Should he/she try to reassure patients? Should humour be part of his/her repertoire? What funny remarks could a dentist make to put a patient at their ease?
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4. Were you shocked by the remarks made? Do you think the two health professionals concerned were probably just trying to 'let off steam' in a difficult job? Is the author being oversensitive? Or are tone-deaf doctors/dentists a common thing? Highly-intelligent people can sometimes be socially awkward - is that what has happened here? If a medical professional had made those remarks to you, would you have sought a different dentist/doctor?
5. Do medical professionals in your country receive training in interpersonal skills?
6. Is there such a thing as a national sense of humour? If so, do you think there is much difference between the British/German sense of humour and the sense of humour of your country?
7. How difficult is it to be funny in a foreign language? Is it best to avoid humour unless you are totally proficient in the target language/culture? Which foreign comedy shows do you find funny/offensive? Do you have any non-native comedians who are successful?
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Situation
Following a string of complaints from offended patients, the German Dental Association has decided to introduce a new code of conduct. You are the head of the PR agency chosen to announce the new measures at a press conference. Announce to the awaiting journalists your proposals on appropriate conduct/manner, dress code, and any new complaints procedures that you want to put in place.
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Below you will find the first halves of some jokes: how would you complete them to make them funny?
a) Someone once told me a pun about amnesia, but ...............
b) I told the doctor I didn't want brain surgery, but...............
c) There is the story of an American general who visited Korea and gave a speech to a big crowd. He launched into a long joke and his translator spoke very briefly and then the crowd laughed.
The general was extremely impressed and said, “You are the best translator I have ever had. How did you retell the joke so concisely?”
The translator responded, ........................
d) Why did the dalmatian go to the doctors? Because.................
e) What did the doctor say to the boy who ate a roll of camera film?
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Answers
a) I've forgotten how it goes.
b) she changed my mind.
c) “I told them, ‘The general has told a joke. Please laugh.”
d) every time she looked in the mirror she saw spots.
e) Let's see if anything develops.
Student Handout PDF: German Dentist
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko