Thanks for the comment Melissa!

I don’t have a business card, but now you’ve got me thinking what I would put on it…

Philosopher maybe?

Most people are startled. “What? You’re a doctor?”
And “Why do you put that second?”

Usually, I hand the card out as a writer. As an emergency doctor, it should be obvious who I am–and if it’s not, it’s usually because the patient was expecting a man.

I play the doctor card when I have to. I just don’t want it to be my only card. Just like I’m not only my khaki’s–which I don’t own, by the way. Too boring. Love that quote. Excellent article and comments.

Yes, I know exactly the feelings you describe. My hypothesis is that this is actually a healthy response when it is not rooted in shame. It is the brain rejecting job as identity and wanting to tell the world that it is defined by something else.

For the record I’m not a huge fan of country music either, but after recently jamming with a few buddies on guitar and playing a few country songs I may have to expand my scope a bit 😉

When it comes up in the first ten minutes of conversation, I’ll just say I work at the hospital. But that’s vague, so there’s a pause on the verge of becoming awkward, when I fill in the blank… “I’m an anesthesiologist.” I’m proud of that fact, but it doesn’t define me, and I’d just as soon be known as a homebrewer of decent beer, world traveler, or guy who can’t tolerate country music.