Experience Is A Funny And Great Teacher!

Have you ever had a really humiliating experience that embarrassed you like nothing ever did at that time but whenever you think of it now, you can't help but laugh it out. That is why life is beautiful isn't it? It always gives you an opportunity to laugh. To laugh at others (I don't think this is good but yes I too do it at times :P), to laugh in a movie or to laugh at  yourself for the mistakes that you may have done in the past.

When I was a fourth year medical student or maybe third year, during surgical rotation in our teaching hospital, we were told many scary stories about one surgeon who was also the head of department of surgery. One of which was scolding and sending students who had their hair dyed out from the ward. Meaning as long as your hair isn't black or dark brown, you would not be allowed into any surgical ward of that hospital and if you are spotted by this surgeon, you are in simple word, SCREWED. So that is why I had golden highlights when I was in my second year and after a year of experimenting with that colour, I went back to black. I am definitely not the 'breaking the rules is the new cool nowadays' type.

Unfortunately, some of my friends were not really afraid of this so-called rumour and went on with the usual styling and all. So one fine day, a fellow classmate of mine and I were walking along the corridor of the surgical ward on our way to see patients and from the opposite, it was THE SURGEON and his whole team of specialists, MOs, HOs and nurses coming towards our way. I have no idea why I freaked out because I didn't really do anything wrong but I guess I knew what was coming since my friend had light brown hair. Not dark. But LIGHT. So before he could actually see us, we exited the ward and went to a ladies room just next to the ward and figured we would just wait there until he's gone.

Now comes one of the most humiliating moment of my life. A few seconds later, a female doctor entered the ladies room and saw us both standing there like idiots and told us that the HOD was waiting outside TO SEE US. How on earth he knew we were both in there, I really have no idea after all these years. So we went out and thankfully he told his entire team to continue with the ward round and that he'll catch up with them.  I really still had no idea why I hid in the washroom even when I did not do anything wrong. Yes that is so me. Been doing it since I was in kindergarten. :P

So we went out and saw him staring at us and God I was terrified. He asked us if we were medical students and the next question, 'WHY DID YOU GIRLS LOOK AT ME, TURN AROUND AND EXITED THE WARD?' Apparently he witnessed the whole thing when both of us were sure he did not see us. I don't even remember what exactly I answered but I must have blabbered something really insensible and silly. But, as expected he looked at my classmate, saw her hair and told her to leave the ward immediately. He did not even allow her to enter the ward to take her belongings before leaving so she had to wait in the hospital lobby until our class was over. Surprisingly, he looked at me and asked me very politely about my hands, showed his empathy and then left to continue the ward rounds.

The moment he left, I sighed with relief and thought to myself that running away is NEVER THE SOLUTION. A simple but profound rule that I promise to adhere everyday in my life ever since.

Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom. That explains it. :P