Why You Should ALWAYS Tell People When They Look Weird

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As a writer, I find inspiration in everyday encounters. Something completely ordinary happens and it may spur a domino effect of thoughts and later become an article. Recently someone said something to me that… well – I don’t want to spoil it for you. Keep reading and find out why you should ALWAYS tell people when they look weird! (This article is a Public Service Announcement – of sorts!)

Friendships can be rated based on your answer to the following question: “Would you tell her that she has spinach in her teeth?”

Generally the scale looks like this:
Someone you just met or a mere acquaintance: “Nah, I will just try desperately NOT to stare at it!”
A person you don’t really like: “I will tell her AFTER our conversation is over, as I am walking away. “Hey – by the way…” (She’s then left there wondering who else she has talked to that may not have pointed out that big wad of leafy green vegetable stuck in her teeth!)
Your best friend, a person you like and trust: “I will tell her as soon as I notice. Actually, I will interrupt her before someone else walks up and sees it.”

Thankfully, I have friends – real ones who aren’t afraid to point out weird and gross things! The other day, a co-worker, someone I have worked closely with for the past 7 years stepped up and told me that I had BLOOD in my hair!

She could very easily just have looked the other way, because let’s be real here, blood is gross and to point it out to someone is pretty much saying “dude, you’ve got something funky brewing there… you may want to go clean yourself!” I am very thankful that she felt comfortable enough to tell me – actually – I am beyond appreciative, but I am not one for big mushy signs of affection in the office – so I just thanked her nicely.

Two days later I revisited the bloody site on my scalp, just to see if it had healed, so I didn’t have to worry about looking like a bio-hazard again. I barely touched the area and the dang thing started to bleed…

And now this article turns into a a Public Service Announcement (hidden amongst a fair share of humor). My next move was a well-warranted call to the dermatologist because skin isn’t supposed to bleed from a mere touch – just FYI!

The next week went a little bit like this: appointment the following day, quick biopsy of my scalp, the dermatologist didn’t think it was anything of concern, but humored me any way, waited a week, called the doctor’s office.
The nurse on the other line said “We DO have your results in, but the doctor wants to speak with you. What number can he call you back at shortly?” Soooooo… after THAT reply, I am sure it’s not a big shock to you when I say that the biopsy came back positive for skin cancer. She probably could have just said “the doctor will call you shortly,” instead of alerting me to the fact that she was not at liberty to discuss the results with me.

Any way, it is not an aggressive form for skin cancer, it’s a small spot and something I will have removed as quickly as possible – but in the meantime… please let this post serve a dual purpose:

1. Heed the warnings of the medical community when they tell you that there is no such thing as a “healthy tan!” Tanning, burning, frying – what ever you do in the sun – is just not worth the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Use sunscreen, wear hats, stay in the shade, move out of Florida – whatever you have to do to reduce your exposure to harmful rays.

2. Always, and I mean – ALWAYS point out blood, spinach and any other foreign/ misplaced object in someone’s hair, teeth or skin. Who knows, you may make a friend, save a life or at least make the world a more beautiful place!

I also wrote a guide to determine if your FB friend is truly a BFF: Click this link to read it – it’s cute and funny. (At least my mom thought it was!)