Dear Cr-Abby from Not Laughing in Iowa

DEAR CR-ABBY:
Will you please explain to your readers that doctors do not practice medicine 24 hours a day? Each time we reveal to people that my husband is a psychiatrist, we have to put up with unfunny jokes about how he's going to analyze them, or insinuations that all he does is sit on a couch and ask, "And how do you feel about that?" How should we respond to these misconceptions?
-- NOT LAUGHING IN IOWA

Dear Humor Challenged in Boone County,

Lighten Up, Shut Up and Get Real... This is your big problem?

P-L-E-A-S-E, over 10 million people dont have a job to be bothered about and you whine about what should be an opportunity to grow your husbands client list.

Frankly, I'm guessing your real problem is that he is the object of the discussion and not you. Your husband is part of any entire list of professionals who are "hit up" in social settings for advice and/or bear the brunt of jokes.

Lawyers, Dentists, Plumbers, Tradesman of all manner and "Real Doctors" get the same treatment.

Why not turn this to your advantage and grow your business (networking).

If it really bothers you AND your husband, then be less open about what he does for a living in social settings. Try asking other people more about them and say less about you. The person asking the questions has the power not the one answering them.

Write back when you have a real problem like when your husband leaves you for a gal he met at a party who has mor of an interest in him than you.

Cr-Abby