Recently, my wife had the need to change physicians. It was definitely not an easy task. She had to tell her new doctor to get the previous charts from the original doctor. She did not want to hurt anyone's feelings. The matter was even more complicated because the two doctors had previously been partners. The matter is still unsettled, but I will apprise my readers of the outcome if they e-mail me in the future.

In the old days a man would buy a personalized shaving mug and leave it at the barber shop of his choice. When the gentleman sat in the barber chair he would be certain that his own mug was in use. However, if he decided to switch barbers the matter became ticklish. The new barber would enter the shop of the prior barber and request the mug of the aforementioned gent. Sometimes smirking and teasing went along with the retrieval.

I have been informed by my wife, Lorraine, that switching hair-stylists in the same shop is a definite no-no! It may lead to verbal abuse between the stylist and the customer or even such abuse between stylist and stylist.

As a practicing dentist for 40 plus years, I have been on both sides of this hairy practice. I have been asked to send dental X-rays to the new chosen dentist. I always acceded even though I knew that the 5-year-old films are almost worthless as a diagnostic tool. Rarely would I request X-rays as I usually wanted newer and more current film.

Other unpleasant arenas for the switching process are stockbrokers, psychologists and even favorite garage mechanics. Most times the reason is never mentioned and it leaves the poor person in a quandary and wondering what the true facts were.

As a member of a wonderful free society I would not tamper with a person's right to change anything. The divorce courts are awash in people administering their right to choose and choose again.

This right should never be used as a punishment!

That would be both childish and cruel!