Yes, the needle is a sharp object. Poke one into your flesh and some of you will squirm, some will merely utter an “ouch”, some grimace, some scream, others take it like just another harmless pinch at the arm.

I was taught to give intramuscular injections for vacccination against tetanus to a number of Form 3 students in a local secondary school this morning. Before that the nurses gave short anti-smoking speeches to class after class of young brats and oh boy, they sure had a difficult time keeping those monkeys seated on their chairs just to pay attention! Not only did they refuse to listen like they have ears, they shot nonsensical questions which made your blood boil. When the nurse gave them a grave look, they giggled and rejoiced in their victory. The next instant, they were hatching more cheeky questions and pranks to attack the medical staff. I stood at the back of the class and watched the entire drama. I’m sorry for feeling relieved not being the person in front giving that speech and facing these youths. I seriously don’t know whether to laugh or to be mad. How did students these days become like that? Or have they been this way for centuries?

When the students are ushered to the injection stations set up in the school hall, the “tough” and “cheeky” ones began to show their true fear. It was an amusing sight. Most were avoiding the needle, cooking up various tales and excuses to be exempted from the prick. Some were in pure denial - walking around the hall, subconsciously rubbing their left arm just to stall time. A few became expert researchers… moving from station to station interviewing their classmates before, during and after the prick trying to decide which nurse/medical student gives the least painful injection. Some had to be coaxed. Other had to be forced or shouted at.

So much drama for just one simple anti-tetanus injection which is for their own good. Truly, the smart-aleck and the big bully may not be the bravest!

The next time you are irritated by a naughty student like that, look them in the eye and say, “Shut up. Here comes the needle.”