October 28

I visited the dentist for the first time in my life when I was a twenty year old college student (and looked like a full grown adult). I had the first appointment of the afternoon. “Take the first seat,” the receptionist told me. When I walked back there were two chairs, a big one and a small one, and after debating which one to take (for far too long) I sat in the small one in all my youthful humility.

That was the dentist’s chair.

When the dental hygienist saw where I had sat, she tried so hard to hold back her laughter, but I could tell. My teeth hurt, and now I was burning red with embarrassment.

What an unforgettable, hilarious first experience at the dentist.

-From “Verbal Goofs”

20年前の大学生の時(見た目はスッカリ大人)、人生ではじめての歯医療者に
行った。昼一番に診てもらえることになり、「1番の席に入ってください」と
言われて席に行くと、大きなイスと小さなイスがあり、まだ謙虚だった私は、
迷った結果、小さなイスへ。
…先生が座るイスでした。気づくと歯科衛生士さんの笑いを押し殺している声が…。歯は痛いし、顔から火が出るほど恥ずかしかった!
忘れられない笑える初体験です。

ーー『言いまつがい』より