Contempt for the Hoi Polloi

   "Yes, you have, " I answer.  This in reply to yet another doctor asking if he/she has seen me before.  A respectful answer, I think, from an unassuming patient, and an answer not expected to make my presence any more memorable for the next time around.  But that is what I say.  Instead of something light and convivial, like "Gee, Doc, I remember you well. How could you forget me?"  But of course I don't say that, not that I really want to  use that choice of words anyway. More to my preference would be, "I don't expect you to remember my visit after all these weeks.  I know you're far too busy for that, but are you too damn lazy to just look at the chart that's right there in front of you.  Take a few seconds before asking the stupid question."