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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you laugh in your opticians face?

49 replies

seenna · 29/01/2019 10:52

When they're right up close examing your eyes. Never used to do this as a child but now I'm in my mid-20s I can't seem to suppress the laughter! Really puts me off getting a very much needed eye examination. AIBU to ask if I'm in the minority?

OP posts:
Itsagamerchanger · 29/01/2019 10:53

I don’t have this problem. I’m too busy wondering if my breath smells or thinking about how their breath smells Blush

Slothcuddles · 29/01/2019 10:54

Nope never felt the need to laugh🤷🏻‍♀️

Metaplasia · 29/01/2019 10:54

Every time. Without fail. It is utterly hilarious and I cannot for the life of me control the giggles.

Namestheyareachangin · 29/01/2019 10:54

Always. It's mortifying.

Shoppingwithmother · 29/01/2019 11:01

Yes, I always did this - I used to dread going because of it. I also did it when having my hair cut. I think in hindsight for me it was due to a sort of ASMR thing- someone talking or making clicking or snipping noises right near me made a tickling feeling down the back of my neck and made me laugh.

I now am an optician, and have a few people over the years who laugh uncontrollably, but not very many, so it’s not that common (embarrassingly!)

BarbaraofSevillle · 29/01/2019 11:02

No, but I do wonder if the answers I'm giving contradict each other when they want to know which circle is clearer or which line I can read.

Do they mean read the letters easily, or just if you really squint and guess, or can remember from when they asked you last time?

Original poster
seenna · 29/01/2019 11:02

Glad I'm not the only one. They're usually good about it but as I get older the more self-conscious I am becoming!

OP posts:
Original poster
seenna · 29/01/2019 11:03

Shoppingwithmother Oh no! I was hoping it was a 50/50 thing.

OP posts:
Shoppingwithmother · 29/01/2019 11:05

Barbara - I would say we mean, without squinting or remembering, but not just what you can see easily - the smallest you can make out, and if you can’t see all of the letters on a smaller line, then have a go anyway!

Shoppingwithmother · 29/01/2019 11:06

Seenna - I would say more like 1/1000!!

snappedandsharted · 29/01/2019 11:08

Yes! Also I was hysterical during DD's eye test and DH's laser treatment, I don't know what's wrong with me but it just seems so funny!

Scoleah · 29/01/2019 11:16

Yes!
Especially when they tell me to look straight ahead at the Red and Green in the mirror then stand right in my Way and I panic because I can't focus on anything but the light shining in my eyes so end up following that instead!
The sight of me in them funny glasses they put the lenses in mind youGrin, hilarious!
Or I try and hold my breath so they won't think I'm breathing in their face, and then try and leak it out slowly so they won't think I've just exhaled a full breath in their face.
Must be embarrassing for them too
Glad it's not just me!

Jennifer124 · 29/01/2019 11:19

Any time I know someone is going for an eye test, I always say to them "make sure you think really hard about not trying kiss them"
I find it makes for a rather uncomfortable experience GrinGrinBlush

Sparklingbrook · 29/01/2019 11:20

Oh yes, when your foreheads nearly touch. I hate that bit.

One memorable eye test the optician had been eating Doritos for lunch. Sad

CrabbyPatty · 29/01/2019 11:23

I laugh during massages and facials. I always think of Ross on Friends with the wooden spoons! And sometimes I just think they're making it up as they go along (in all seriousness I do have respect for their profession, but The thought just pops in my head!)

MirriVan · 29/01/2019 11:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FreezerBird · 29/01/2019 11:24

I'll have to ask DH if he's ever had this - he's an optician and has never mentioned it.

I do know that most of his female colleagues have had patients kiss them (or attempt to) during an eye test. There are quite a few patients at his practice who have 'male staff only' on their notes.

Undercoverbanana · 29/01/2019 11:26

Nothing to laugh at. My eyesight is shit and expensive.

SimplySteve · 29/01/2019 11:26

My old, retired, eye professor used to pull some amazing faces. I remember going in the day after surgery for adjustable stitches to be moved (it's great fun feeling your eye being physically moved), high as a kite on pain meds and anaesthetic and pissing myself. Turns out in his entire career nobody had said anything. Then I come along! Blush

UpsyDaaaisy · 29/01/2019 11:27

I'm so glad it's not just me... my optician has really big curly hair too so when she turns the light off all I can see is this cloud coming closer and closer to my face! Blush

spiderlight · 29/01/2019 11:33

Oh my God, I thought it was just me!! It doesn't help that my optician looks a bit like Derren Brown, and when he looms at me with that big thing to his eye I just cannot keep a straight face, and the more I think about not laughing the worse it gets.

Florries · 29/01/2019 11:39

shopping is wearing makeup okay during an eye exam? Like mascara.

I'm going for an eye exam and contact lenses trail next week and a bit nervous. Never even held a contact lense before.

I'll also have my 9 month old with me which I'm worried about but have no one who can look after him. I told them when I rung to make the appointment and they said that's fine but still worried! He won't sit in his pram, only content on my lap.

Sorry for the hijack! It's been so long since I last had my eyes tested but I don't remember wanting to laugh.

Mari50 · 29/01/2019 11:40

To be honest if your optometrist is still using an ophthalmoscope (the bit where they get close and look into your eyes) you need to find another optometrist. It’s a inefficient exam and not fit for purpose.

hihellohihey · 29/01/2019 11:47

Yes! Hysterically, it's so embarrassing. I do it at the dentist too!

Number12 · 29/01/2019 12:08

I had a test at john lewis, they do it all by machine. No up in your face! I was very relieved, I hated someone being that close to me I could smell what they had for lunch!