Wearing your white coat in public is arrogant

[intangible]

Disclaimer: I'm an undergraduate. I was given a fresh, long white coat by my PI—embroidery and all. The nearly knee-length coat is something that is a great source of pride, and intrinsic motivation to continue studying until wearing it actually means something.

Because I work exclusively with Ph.D. candidates, I've found that students are really averse to wearing their white coats in public, and even more averse to those that choose to. I don't understand this line of thinking.

Many students claim that the white coat is disgusting; a status symbol that reeks of juvenile showboating.

Regardless of the reason, why is it anyone's business? Nobody wonders why military personnel wear full combat gear in the throws of grocery shopping, and they, too, receive special attention when in gear.

Discuss.

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[NickNaylor]

Eventually you stop caring about nonsense like this. There's a guy in my school (an M2) who walks around in scrubs and his white coat every day - even to class. I just laugh, shake my head, and go about my day.

People do all kinds of silly things - whether it be wearing a white coat or criticizing those that do. Here's a question to ask yourself: is something making you money, making you happier, or having a direct impact on your or the ones you love? No? Then who cares.

 

[Mad Jack]

Discuss.

 

[intangible]

Eventually you stop caring about nonsense like this. There's a guy in my school (an M2) who walks around in scrubs and his white coat every day - even to class. I just laugh, shake my head, and go about my day.

People do all kinds of silly things - whether it be wearing a white coat or criticizing those that do. Here's a question to ask yourself: is something making you money, making you happier, or having a direct impact on your or the ones you love? No? Then who cares.

I think it's a great motivator. A white coat makes certain associations, and you have a tendency to conform to them when you're sporting one. Trump can wear million-dollar suits that aptly represent his choice in profession, but when a doc or student doc wears a white coat, it's like the end of the world for some people.

 

[JP2740]

Haha one time and one time only I went into a gas station with my white coat because I was super pressed for time, and I felt like I was naked. Weird. I didn't feel arrogant or anything. Just douchey. #neveragain

 

[Nave]

I'll reiterate what @NickNaylor said who cares? Worry about your self.

 

[JW2020]

1) I mean this in the nicest way possible. If you're wearing a white coat around as an undergrad, you need to re-evaluate yourself as a person
2) The military combat gear=white coat analogy is very, very, botched. When on duty/active, military personnel are required to wear their entire uniform. When my military family members come home from training/being stationed/deployed etc, they do not wear combat gear to family functions or leisure activities, because they are OFF DUTY. A better analogy would be a college basketball player who wears around a replica Cavaliers jersey with their last name etched on the back.

If you want to use "the holy white coat" as something to look forward to and motivate yourself, fine. But wearing that around as an undergrad or even a med student who isn't on rotations or in a clinical setting is going to look foolish and people will think you are showing off. When people think you're showing off, they tend to hate you.

 

[URMD]

who cares. do whatever you want.
Understand that some ppl may think you're a douche though and come to terms with that.

Personally idgaf who is wearing a white coat no matter the scenario.

 

[colbgw02]

Nobody wonders why military personnel wear full combat gear in the throws of grocery shopping, and they, too, receive special attention when in gear.

Oh really? You saw people in the grocery store like this?

 

[Moose A Moose]

Leave it in your car.

 

[tellmemore2020]

On days I am required to wear my white coat for clinically-related things as an M1, I wear it the whole day or as is convenient for me. I am not going to stuff it into my bag and wrinkle it when going to get lunch or something because I am "off duty." Or wear it on my arm until I step into the patient's room, or drop it off at home before going to the gym that day. Basically, I am not going to go through even a minor inconvenience so that people don't think I am "douchey." But will I wear it just for kicks for no reason? No.

 

[Mad Jack]

Oh really? You saw people in the grocery store like this?

He came in in full gear so as to retain his manliness while picking up tampons for his wife.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

As an M4, I wear scrubs every day because they're comfortable and I can't be arsed to put together a real outfit. I wear my white coat every day because - oh wait, no, I never wear it anymore because it's hot and doesn't fit well and has a weird blue stain on it that won't wash out. If you choose to wear yours when you don't have to, especially outside the hospital, I'm going to think you're a tool. It's not the worst thing you could do in the world, and maybe you're nice or funny or something and it's okay that you dress like a tool, but that's just my knee jerk reaction.

 

[colbgw02]

He came in in full gear so as to retain his manliness while picking up tampons for his wife.

That would probably explains why these people were "in the throws" of grocery shopping, instead of, ya know, just grocery shopping. Tampons will do that to even the meekest of supermarket patrons.

 

[touchpause13]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hates wearing the damn thing. It's a stupid white box that clearly looks horrible on most women. It somehow manages to be too large and makes me look fat at the same time. I don't even understand, it's some sort of fashion wizardry. I think I'm going to have to get it tailored before rotations because it makes me angry every time I put the stupid thing on

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hates wearing the damn thing. It's a stupid white box that clearly looks horrible on most women. It somehow manages to be too large and makes me look fat at the same time. I don't even understand, it's some sort of fashion wizardry. I think I'm going to have to get it tailored before rotations because it makes me angry every time I put the stupid thing on

Don't bother, you're just going to wash it with an unopened stick of gum in the pocket, wind up with a bizarre looking stain that will never come out, and have to get a new one that will fit you even worse. ...Or something like that.

 

[animando]

I see my white coat as a stethoscope-hammer-notes-pager-gloves-pens carrying item. Nothing more. Why would I go buy groceries with a reflex hammer?

 

[JP2740]

Don't bother, you're just going to wash it with an unopened stick of gum in the pocket, wind up with a bizarre looking stain that will never come out, and have to get a new one that will fit you even worse. ...Or something like that.

I literally spilled like half a cup of coffee on mine my last week and just didn't feel like washing it. Loved walking in to work with my white coat washed in a gigantic coffee stain. lellllll

 

[touchpause13]

Don't bother, you're just going to wash it with an unopened stick of gum in the pocket, wind up with a bizarre looking stain that will never come out, and have to get a new one that will fit you even worse. ...Or something like that.

Probably. It already has a pen stain because I washed it with one in the pocket.
Seriously the white coat is my nightmare garment. I think I would prefer a burlap sack.

 

[typoncho]

Oh really? You saw people in the grocery store like this?

Lol, full PPE and combat patrol load in case the spinach in the produce section is actually charlie in full camo. Marines aren't allowed off base in uniform unless recruiting or getting gas or diapers, but I think they even did away with that since I got out. Army is allowed to, but I'm pretty sure nobody wears full combat gear. Unless they're participating in Jade Helm, in which case you better grab your tin foil hat and load up on water and supplies lest you be caught with your pants down...

 

[Mad Jack]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hates wearing the damn thing. It's a stupid white box that clearly looks horrible on most women. It somehow manages to be too large and makes me look fat at the same time. I don't even understand, it's some sort of fashion wizardry. I think I'm going to have to get it tailored before rotations because it makes me angry every time I put the stupid thing on

I hate the white coat with a passion, especially the short ones. They just look stupid.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

True story, by the end of M4 - really, before that - my class is over white coats. Just so over them. They had their use in keeping lots of stuff together on Medicine, and then the relationship soured. I didn't see a single person wearing them to our recent SP session on consent and giving bad news.

 

[Mad Jack]

I see my white coat as a stethoscope-hammer-notes-pager-gloves-pens carrying item. Nothing more. Why would I go buy groceries with a reflex hammer?

White coats have all the functionality, stylishness, and ridiculousness of fanny packs. I hate them so much.

 

[Rogert]

He came in in full gear so as to retain his manliness while picking up tampons for his wife.

To be fair, there's more blood involved there than some combat wounds.

 

[samsunimomo]

He came in in full gear so as to retain his manliness while picking up tampons for his wife.

Those who can pick up tampons for their significant others without being self-conscious are the ones who are absolutely secure in their masculinity 😉

 

[Mad Jack]

Those who can pick up tampons for their significant others without being uncomfortable are the ones who are absolutely secure in their masculinity 😉

Truth. I've never seen why people get so weird about buying certain things- tampons, condoms, lube, whatever. It's not a big deal, but a lot of guys get all uncomfortable about it for some reason.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

Those who can pick up tampons for their significant others without being self-conscious are the ones who are absolutely secure in their masculinity 😉

For real, this is why I'm marrying my fiancé. I mean, I love him and stuff too, but there's something about a guy who just gets stuff done without whining about it. And he makes a mean cheesecake.

 

[chipwhitley]

I saw an NP wearing her white coat and stethoscope shopping at walmart.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

If he already goes to the store and cooks, what the hell is he getting married for?

Shhh, he only has a month left to ask himself that.

 

[ridethecliche]

Birthday suit all day erryday.

 

[typoncho]

Yeah, no cammies for Marines off base unless on-duty or specifically authorized by the unit commander (Marine Federal Credit Union has an exemption on the East Coast). No exemption for gas or diapers anymore. Seen guys get NJP'd for stopping to grab take-out.

Army, on the other hand, thinks that combat pajamas are perfectly fine everywhere. I even saw some tool kid in a casino in Vegas wearing it, accompanied by his parents, clearly had just gotten his first block leave since boot camp. I wanted to bitch him out; wife wouldn't let me.

Haha. Man NJP'd? Some CO was looking to make a point or get promoted.

 

[Goro]

Real scientists only wear their white coat in the lab.

Disclaimer: I'm an undergraduate. I was given a fresh, long white coat by my PI—embroidery and all. The nearly knee-length coat is something that is a great source of pride, and intrinsic motivation to continue studying until wearing it actually means something.

Because I work exclusively with Ph.D. candidates, I've found that students are really averse to wearing their white coats in public, and even more averse to those that choose to. I don't understand this line of thinking.

Many students claim that the white coat is disgusting; a status symbol that reeks of juvenile showboating.

Regardless of the reason, why is it anyone's business? Nobody wonders why military personnel wear full combat gear in the throws of grocery shopping, and they, too, receive special attention when in gear.

Discuss.

 

[Mad Jack]

Real scientists only wear their white coat in the lab.

With all the gross things and dangerous chemicals I've worked with in labs, why the hell would anyone want to wear their white coat outside if it and bring that stuff along with them?

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

With all the gross things and dangerous chemicals I've worked with in labs, why the hell would anyone want to wear their white coat outside if it and bring that stuff along with them?

Same goes for a doctor's white coat, IMHO. Ugliness of our student coats aside.

 

[mehc012]

With all the gross things and dangerous chemicals I've worked with in labs, why the hell would anyone want to wear their white coat outside if it and bring that stuff along with them?

I've rarely seen any scientists wear one IN the lab...

 

[typoncho]

It was actually pretty funny. A 2ndLt saw this kid getting his food at the counter, and told him he wasn't supposed to be in uniform. The Marine mouthed off at the officer, thinking that he would never figure out what unit he was from. Unfortunately, the 2ndLt was buddies with a 2ndLt in our battalion, and recognized the last name because he was a "problem child" that he had heard stories about.

One phone call later, the Marine is standing at attention losing half his pay and getting busted down to E2...

Couldn't have happened to a nicer person.

Of all the things to get NJP'd for. Quite a few of our team leaders had been NJP'd for alcohol, UA, etc. They were "Problem Marines" too in garrison, but as soon as we deployed.....

 

[deleted407021]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hates wearing the damn thing. It's a stupid white box that clearly looks horrible on most women. It somehow manages to be too large and makes me look fat at the same time. I don't even understand, it's some sort of fashion wizardry. I think I'm going to have to get it tailored before rotations because it makes me angry every time I put the stupid thing on

Medelita makes some smexy doctor swag....that will inevitably get covered in bodily fluids, lunch and ink.

 

[onceawolverine]

I hate the white coat with a passion, especially the short ones. They just look stupid.

The short white coats are the total opposite of a status symbol, I think. They let everyone know you're on the bottom of the medical professional food chain.

 

[Mad Jack]

The short white coats are the total opposite of a status symbol, I think. They let everyone know you're on the bottom of the medical professional food chain.

Totally. All that white coat signaled to me was a guy who might be able to get me the right pager number for the person I actually needed.

 

[el_duderino]

The short white coats are the total opposite of a status symbol, I think. They let everyone know you're on the bottom of the medical professional food chain.

Yes, this. Wearing the white coat in the hospital makes me feel like a tool, but I also recognize that I'm there to learn and right now I'm no good to anyone.

It's a symbol of humility, if nothing else.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

The short white coats are the total opposite of a status symbol, I think. They let everyone know you're on the bottom of the medical professional food chain.

At least at my hospital, all the NPs and PAs and possibly PharmDs, not to mention the nursing and PA and pharm students, all wear white coats too. It certainly doesn't make me feel special to wear one.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to pre-allo. I wear my coat and scrubs in from work. It's a 15 minute detour to go to my lounge and then to the floors to pre-round. When I am at the hospital near my home I walk from my home to work in my scrubs and white coat. People can think what they want, I am not giving up 30 minutes of sleep a day because of it.

 

[jqueb29]

Wear it anytime you're trying to win a negotiation/get something you want as it exudes power.

Haggling the price on a new car? White coat.
About to propose? White coat.
Just got pulled over for speeding? Hope you have your white coat handy.

 

[shtumpa]

One doctor I shadowed in the ER asked me to put on a white coat-I have no idea why. Anyway, I had no clue that students wear the shorter coat, and in the store they only had a size to big. So there I was prancing around in my huge white coat getting asked about barfcrapulosis and I'm saying every second "I'm only a student."

I left early.

I now have a tremendous aversion to the white coat.

BTW if Winston can skip the draft, I am definitely skipping the white coat ceremony.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I don't think this matters all that much. I think doctors can usually do what they want after all the stuff they go through to get there..

 

[tdubst]

Of all the things to get NJP'd for. Quite a few of our team leaders had been NJP'd for alcohol, UA, etc. They were "Problem Marines" too in garrison, but as soon as we deployed.....

It's always like that, isn't it? I never felt happier than when I deployed with 03XXs. And I never hated anyone more when we were in garrison.

To quote good 'ol Chesty, “Take me to the Brig. I want to see the “real Marines.”

A Marine in my wpns platoon was busted down to pvt shortly after arriving in the fleet. By the time we were finishing our 2nd deployment, he made it to cpl meritoriously. I believe the last I heard of him was that he landed in actual prison after being discharged....good kid, bad choices.

 

[AlteredScale]

At Target yesterday I saw someone in dark green scrubs and a short white coat looking for dog food.

...She was from the community college nursing school.

 

[medicaldestroyer]

I don't think this matters all that much. I think doctors can usually do what they want after all the stuff they go through to get there..

Falling into the hubris trap... are we?
"I think it's primarily a matter of hubris, that doctors think they're above the rules. Add to that a tired/overworked effect. Doctors are hungry and stressed, so they go "grab" a sandwich without taking the time to go change first." – Dr. Elaine Schattner

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...at-doctors-wear-scrubs-to-whole-foods/261557/

http://www.reportingonhealth.org/blogs/hospital-scrubs-and-sandwiches-should-not-mix

 

[NeuResurgens]

Falling into the hubris trap... are we?
"I think it's primarily a matter of hubris, that doctors think they're above the rules. Add to that a tired/overworked effect. Doctors are hungry and stressed, so they go "grab" a sandwich without taking the time to go change first." – Dr. Elaine Schattner

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...at-doctors-wear-scrubs-to-whole-foods/261557/

http://www.reportingonhealth.org/blogs/hospital-scrubs-and-sandwiches-should-not-mix

"Doctors are hungry and stressed. Let's find something new to criticize them about."

 

[medicaldestroyer]

"Doctors are hungry and stressed. Let's find something new to criticize them about."

Yes doctors are hungry and stressed, but it's not about that. It's about all the unnecessary pathogens they're bringing into the hospital and exposing their sick patients to.