SOCIAL

  THE WAY I SEE IT

MIGHT I ‘RECOMMEND’?

INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS INFLUENCE RECOMMENDATIONS, SO DON’T USE THEM

MARC BLOOMENSTEIN, O.D., F.A.A.O.

I WRITE this on the 37th floor of my hotel overlooking a rainy Manhattan — New York, not Kansas. As I traversed the city, listening to the cacophony of horns and sirens, I bobbed and weaved through streams of humanity. Every person I passed had a unique style — especially that guy wearing the colorful Hawaiian-print shirt. Who were all these people? What were their stories?

Are you like me? Do you stop and notice these things without giving much cerebral energy to them? For example, prefacing a statement with “To be honest . . .” I suppose that is instead of not being truthful, which, if you know me, is more my modus operandi.

PERCEPTIONS

These inherent preferences also influence recommendations. For example, while in New York City, my wife, Jill, and I ventured to a highly rated Zagat eatery, Aldea. Nestled in the Flatiron District, it serves Portuguese cuisine. So, I did what any hick from the West would do in a “foreign” land; I asked the natives what they recommend. Now, don’t get me wrong, our servers were awesome. Casey and Leslie knew the menu front to back and could describe, in detail, the unique flavors and combinations the chef was enlisting. However, Leslie, a poet by desire, and Casey, an aspiring designer, are both from Oklahoma. They are not Portuguese or even native to Gotham — but Okies! I wondered: What if their ideas of good food are Rocky Mountain oysters? Or worse, the restaurant had an excess of salted geoduck that needed to be “recommended” before Tuesday. Fortunately, their suggestions were great! (Although I have ceased asking any servers their recommendations. Nope.)

This notion that we all have different tastes, views and philosophies are what shapes our society. Like-minded people tend to gravitate to each other; we also respect the opinions of those we know. This respect is something we earn — not something trivially given away like a used sweater. In fact, a used sweater is a perfect example of someone’s idea of “great” vs. another’s idea of “trash.” (Can I say Crocs?)

We also walked through a street bazaar while in NY. I felt as if everyone went through his or her apartment, house or neighbor’s trash to place on tables items for sale ranging from knick-knacks to rusted tools and kids’ crafts. And you know what? Someone is going to buy them.

REMOVE THE QUESTION

Recommending is good. But remember, we take that recommendation and filter it to fit our own ideas. Patients do the same when we recommend. Therefore, I don’t! Rather, I tell my patients what they need; I show it to them or place it in their hands (since we sell a lot of products in the office). Ironically, some may say this was a long walk for a short drink of water. I would disagree! Say “No” to recommending, and “Yes” to prescribing. #Prescribe #IDontTrustYouWillDoWhatISay.

Now, there is one thing that I do recommend, which is eating the tails of the shrimp tempura, with some wasabi and soy sauce. Or not. OM

DR. BLOOMENSTEIN currently practices at Schwartz Laser Eye Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is a founding member of the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology. Email him at mbloomenstein@gmail.com, or visit tinyurl.com/OMcomment to comment on this article.