“Well, I think, we should go in for a second opinion” was what my uncle said when the doctor recommended a minor surgical procedure as remedy to his ailment. No this is not what he told the doctor; this is what he told us. But on second thoughts, knowing my uncle, it wouldn’t have surprised me, had he told this to the doctor too. Yup, bluntness (or rather lack of tactfulness) runs in the family. Anyways, coming back to the discussion on ‘second opinions’, well I have nothing against second opinions. But what amuses me is how somehow for many, the ‘second opinion’ seems to be more believable than the first.

When it comes to opinions, the second almost always beats the first one hands down. The second doctor somehow is always right-:) I just at times wonder, if that’s the case, why do people not consult the second one first? Why is he second? And this rule applies to almost every professional advice, not just doctors. In fact at times the ‘second opinion’ is so powerful, that it is valued even if it does not come from a qualified professional. Being ‘second’ is all that matters. I have seen people chuck away a doctor’s prescription just because a stranger they met in the bus suggested an alternate remedy. That’s the power of the ‘second opinion’!

But I should admit, whomever it comes from, it’s rare for opinions to coincide. The second has to invariably differ from the first. And in this world of varying opinions, where everybody is entitled to one, I try to stick to mine, secretly hoping that mine happens to be the ‘second’ one.

PS: I am NOT ‘opinionated’. Its just that I am always right -:)