Hospital list: night gown, tooth brush, pork chop

I am a prude.

I think.

I just found out my hospital attends to their patients in mixed rooms. I'm a confident, young, modern woman, but that *slightly* shocked me.

Are mixed rooms in hospitals common?

I don't know why I'm surprised.

I should have known this was the way to go in a country where (among other things) tolerance and openness about subjects like sexuality are considered great goods. I think tolerance is important too, but I tend to believe we're exaggerating a bit in this part of the world. An example: a couple of months ago, an animal rights activist tried to streak during a the taping of a very popular amusement show. Not only was the part aired where the streaker showed up, the TV host actually ripped off the only piece of cloth and revealed his birthday suit. All this while making sexual remarks at the streaker. (Leaving Janet Jackson's nipple totally biting the dust). Though a funny bar story, in my opinion totally unappropriated to air on a early Saturday night family show with children in the audience and children watching at home. The TV-host's action was applauded by a lot of people. To me it was a nail on chalkboard, that proved yet again, the Dutch culture isn't mine.

Back to the hospital. Briefly I thought of looking for another hospital, but that would mean postponing the surgery which is just silly for a reason born out of the desire to have some privacy.

I'm hoping the gynecology patients have their rooms on a separate ward. And last I checked, gynecology was a typical female party, so you know, that hopefully means no men in the room/ ward.

And how bad can men in hospital room be, right? I mean, they're obviously not feeling well and most likely, they'll have more to worry about.. than little ol' me.

And what are the changes I get wheeled into a room and there sits...

Vegan TV streaker.

"Please do not show me your private parts mister streaker man (or I'll eat a pork chop)"