To think that everyone on benefits needs...

[narkypuffin]

To get a smear test. As do all those not on benefits. I've got one booked for tomorrow. Joy. But necessary.

extremepie, the first one is the worst because you don't know what to expect. (Having said that I once had one the day after drinking two bottles of champers and smoking six cigarettes - and I don't smoke - that was pretty lousy!). You need to have it done and it is nothing to be scared of. Over in barely moments and the surgery staff will understand if you are nervous. (I didn't mention my stonking hangover as I didn't think that would count!).

100% better than the alternative. Unfortunately it's one of those things that is far easier if you can manage to relax 'those' muscles - which is the exact opposite of what you want to do!

I had mine done last week. All fine. Had lovely chat with nurse about school choices whilst she did it

That's why we need ceiling decor. The nurses are so unfussed by what they're doing that they chat away and I find it much harder to ignore the speculum and discuss the weather.

There should be rules about small talk whilst working- taxis and hairdressers yes, nurses doing smears no.

Ceiling decor like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/johnny_depp_model.jpg&imgrefurl=www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/johnny_depp_model.html&usg=__E6KhXLuiI3YGvbs7NooiYO93MUM=&h=477&w=385&sz=44&hl=en&start=0&sig2=bHe_es9bf7e_UHpWbidnzQ&zoom=1&tbnid=Bo-7c_FRZQkopM:&tbnh=146&tbnw=108&ei=pZDhTLmiGIG1hAf78Y3aDA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djohnny%2Bdepp%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D590%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=468&vpy=99&dur=451&hovh=250&hovw=202&tx=101&ty=140&oei=pZDhTLmiGIG1hAf78Y3aDA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this?

Or maybe <a class="break-all" href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/04/08/article-0-01F9E19F000004B0-441_468x348_popup.jpg&imgrefurl=www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1009922/Terry-Wogan-makes-way-Jeremy-Vines-Points-Of-View.html&usg=__2q1AMsVxUCltbvXQnh6yfKggXPk=&h=617&w=840&sz=98&hl=en&start=0&sig2=UFL66IFR30YCGJk2_wqFFA&zoom=1&tbnid=YBM6wK_kkpxmqM:&tbnh=151&tbnw=215&ei=LCXhTLjSD9WI4QbFvfX6Bw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dterry%2Bwogan%2Btrousers%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D619%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=530&vpy=98&dur=463&hovh=158&hovw=215&tx=85&ty=133&oei=LCXhTLjSD9WI4QbFvfX6Bw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this is more your thing?

I dont get it.. what has benefits got to do with having a smear test?? Am i missing something here??

Nothing - it's an unrelated-yet-attention-grabbing headline to make everyone click and be reminded of their smear.