'Nervous disposition'

[ShutUpPeppa]

Fairly light hearted. I’m due to have oral surgery, the consultant has written a letter describing me as a ‘pleasant lady of a nervous disposition’. I’d generally say I’m a little mouthy but shit scared of the dentist. I feel like I’ve been described as some fragile Victorian feminine creature. I’d like to see wording they use for men with a fear of the dentist....

I've heard those introductory sentences are a top secret code, hopefully someone will be along who can decode it.

I think it means 'probably wont bite.'

They'd use pretty much the same terminology but use 'gentleman' instead to be honest.

That is code for "please be extra gentle and supportive with this patient".

Agree it would be the same but with gentleman of it was a man.

I think it's just a tactful formal way of saying you're likely to require professionals to be a bit more sensitive and supportive because you're likely to be anxious. Sounds a bit archaic but I think it's well meaning.

I’ve had ‘pleasant lady’ on so many letters from GP/ various doctors I was getting paranoid it was a code! I’ve never had ‘nervous disposition’ though

God knows what they say about me.

My friend was a delightful italian lady

Mine was pleasant slim lady. I liked that as I used to be very much not slim!

Hee hee, Tbf I just looked at my daughters pile of letters. She has no descriptions (she has LD/ autism and is a monster at appointments). Well aside from a curt ‘xxx was in my clinic today, although difficult to assess whilst under the chair’

They'd use the same for a man and like Stompy says, it is telling the receiver that you are likely to need extra sensitivity and kindness on the day.
Pleasant means, will explain themselves in an understandable way, will listen to you, will not make you want to tear your hair out during the consultation. However the absence does not mean these things don't apply to someone - I never write it or any descriptive terms at all, just because it's quicker!

In a letter to our GP about my DS’ care for a broken leg, his hospital consultant wrote: ‘I had the pleasure of examining this charming gentleman today...’. DS had just turned two at the time . We absolutely loved the old fashioned, formal way that the doctor had described their interaction!

OK so what does “well presented” mean in this special code?

Asking for a friend, obviously,

Thanks OP this has made me laugh

I dread to think what is written about me ,I am always pleasant and respectful but I will admit after my stroke being a little direct with the OT who told me it would take me a while to e able to walk down the hallway and not to worry if I couldn't do it for a few weeks

I did respond (not my finest moment and I did apologise) "Bugger that, no twatting hallway will beat me "...then swore (not at them just in frustration) several times

Made it down the hallway first time (erm couldn't make it back though)

I did get DP to buy biscuits for them and the nurse though in my defence

I had a fall when pregnant and the locum batshit gp referred me to the pregnancy unit to be on the safe side. Her letter introduced me as "this lovely, married lady".

I just received a letter from a consultant where I’ve described as pleasant lady.

All very quaint and puzzling.

Snap! I was once described as a 'lovely, married lady' in a referral letter from my gp.

Seemed utterly archaic and unnecessary.

That'a funny OP. Perhaps they write married so they know they can ask about your husband for support, picking up, getting presciptions etc without any awkwardness.

Well presented means they liked your shoes

I particularly like "The patient says..." ie they think the patient is talking bollocks based on the evidence in front of them.

I work in oral surgery and it all depends on the consultant but the older ones always say pleasant gentleman etc. I don't see any problem with saying you're of a nervous disposition? It helps when you're coming back as staff can be extra prepared... nervous people react different some cry, some get angry some are incredibly rude.

My husband's notes described us as a 'particularly well-informed couple'. Which I thinks translates to 'this bloke's wife is a google know-it-all'!

I've been a "pleasant intensive care nurse" code for she knows the jargon.

Sittingaround, in my case it was good old fashioned god-squadding... Very traditional woman, wearing a rosary bracelet, and showing her approval that we wouldn't be risking an unwed mother situation

My obstetrician wrote my induction was due to”maternal anxiety.” It was due to growth tailing off and me insisting it wasn’t ok. I was right though- likely partial abruption, subsequent massive haemorrhage in labour. So glad I was induced and in hospital when it started/ I didn’t wait 3 weeks and lose him. Instinct and assertiveness I’d say!