This time of year is busy on academic campuses everywhere. Medical education is no exception. We’ve got new students coming in to begin their medical education, students graduating and looking forward to their residencies, and residents getting ready to go forth and conquer in their chosen field. Lots of people moving around in preparation for their next stage of life.
One of our graduating residents is relocating to the D.C. area and is having a moving sale this weekend. I asked her if she had any dressers for sale as I am looking for a “new” one for our guest bedroom. She said she had two and I told her I’d swing by and take a look later on this week.
My boss overheard her and told her she wanted to look as well, particularly since she has a child heading off to college in the fall of 2012. She mentioned needing an ironing board, coffee pot, lamps, and towels. Y’all. I think before my pretty-much-nonexistent filter kicked in I shouted “towels????” with a look of disgust on my face. My boss went on to explain that yes, the daughter would need towels, she was sure the resident was clean, and that her towels would be nicer than anything she could afford to buy her daughter.
What.the.hell?
I am not above buying used things – please see my car, house, and possible guest room dresser as evidence. But towels? Never that. I understand being on a budget, but come on now. It’s not like the girl is starting college in four months – she’s got a whole ‘nother year of high school to complete. You could buy one “expensive” towel set a month and send her off in style if that’s your desire, but buying used bath towels? To borrow a phrase from Pserendipity (or is it TIH?), and one from W.hitney Houston “hell to the no ma’am Sam!”