Doctor, you are hot!

I read with interest this CNN article about Pakistan's president complimenting Sarah Palin on her looks:

Zardari then called her "gorgeous" and said: "Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you."

"You are so nice," Palin said, smiling. "Thank you."

And then, when Zardari quipped that he would like to hug her, "Palin smiled politely."

I was reminded of the similarly awkward exchanges that occur between female physicians and patients or colleagues. Palin employs two responses that are favourites of mine. First, receiving the compliment as an innocent remark. Then, reacting with a cool silence to an inappropriate, but not quite lewd, suggestion. It would have been interesting to see what she would have done had it escalated.

I'm curious what others think of Palin's response. Should she have been less amiable? Used a different tactic? How do you deal with positive references to your physical appearance in the workplace?

I find this tricky. Sexual comments and overt invitations are obviously inappropriate and need to be dealt with immediately and decisively . . .

Continued at Mothers in Medicine.

Comments

[Lisa G]

I used to have a fairly high tolerance since the years of working as a waitress and as a marina attendant that catered to tourists kept me from thinking that my name wasn't "Honey," "Sweetie," or "Baby."

When I was a student I had used my limited Punjabi vocabulary to establish some raport with the East Indian patients in the psych department where I was working. That quickly came to an end after I asked to be changed to a new patient once the current patient asked me to stretch his turban with him and he shook and stroked my hand in a very sexual way. I was aghast. Thankfully, as a student, I had the option. Some innocence lost, but a valuable lesson learned in establishing professional relationships.

On the other hand, though, I get some of my best marriage proposals while in the middle of the night I'm taking the pulse (AKA holding hands with) an anoxic geriatric patient!

[celeste allyn]

Personally, I think it was not only inappropriate but rather naive on the part of the President.
I am wondering if that is how Clinton might have responded the first time he saw Monica.

[Martina]

Celeste - Regarding the Pakistani president being naive, I wondered as well if there were some cultural differences in play that I wasn't in tune with.

[Lianne Miller]

While interviewing for a position recently, I was told by the interviewer that his department was "quite a sausage factory." Naively, I asked "What does that mean?" It did not cross my mind that a professional would use such a repugnant phrase in an interview. Once he explained the meaning, I could not keep myself from blurting out "That's disgusting!" Now, you ask, did I get the job?