Why Didn't I Think Of That?

As most of you know, this has been a big year for Pittsburgh, with a Super Bowl win, a Stanley Cup win, and the distinction of being the host city for the G-20 Conference. I recently learned of yet another honor when I was rounding on a patient in the ICU who became ill while attending the national MENSA meeting being held in our fair city at the Omni William Penn Hotel. MENSA, for those of you who don't know, is a global social club for people with high IQ's. I read an article in the Pittsburgh City Paper about the meeting (http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A65615), in which I learned that Mensans have great sense of self-deprecating humor (their motto for next year's convention to be held in Detroit, Michigan is "What genius picked Detroit?"), and they are very practical when it comes to solving socially awkward sitiuations. As I mentioned in my post from May 29, there has been a hugging epidemic that has been causing much consternation in our secondary school system. Well, the Mensans actually have a "hugging code," a little sticker stuck on the members' badges to signal whether they want a hug. Green means "hug me," yellow signals hugs-by-permission, and red is a request for personal space.

What a great idea! This might have prevented Jerry's predicament in the following episode:

Episode 103 - The Kiss Hello

Jerry enters his building. Mary spots him from across the lobby and closes for a kiss hello.
MAR: Hi Jerry.
JERRY: Hi Mary.
Jerry backs away from the kiss with so much effort that he's up against the mailboxes.
JERRY: Uh, listen. I decided I can't kiss hello anymore. I'm sorry. It's nothing personal....
Mary looks upset by Jerry's outburst.
JERRY: ...It just makes me a little uncomfortable and I can't do it. I'm sorry.
The door to the street opens and Louise enters, also friendly and aiming for the kiss hello.
LOU: Hi Jerry.
JERRY: Hi Louise...
Jerry backs sharply away from Louise as she leans in for the kiss.
JERRY: ...I was just telling Mary how I'm not gonna be doing the kiss hello thing anymore.(continues backing away) I'm sorry. I just can't do it. It's nothing personal, it's just I'm not really able to do it and uh, I'm sorry.
Jerry backs into the elevator.
JERRY: (as the elevator doors close) Thank you for your cooperation.