As we’re closing in on the last week of Christmas shopping, the stores are getting crowded, tempers are getting frayed, and everyone is getting more than a little frustrated. So perhaps it’s not surprising that a survey by shopping app GameIt, which was given to more than 1000 Americans, shows that nearly a third of them would rather have a root canal than go Christmas shopping.
At least, that’s how it’s being represented. The reality is that the survey was more than a little rigged.
Who Hates Shopping?
Overall, 32% of respondents agreed that a root canal was preferable to Christmas or holiday shopping, but some people were more likely to choose it than others. Men, of course, were the most likely to respond that they hated shopping more than a root canal, with 56% choosing the root canal. People in South Carolina and the rest of the South were also more likely to chose the root canal, at about 36%. Those over 55 were also slightly more likely to choose a root canal, at 35%.
A Gamed Survey
The founder of GameIt, Bryce Johnson, made his own opinion clear: “Personally, I’d rather have my molars extracted without an anesthetic than have to go Holiday shopping every day.” And it seems that the survey designed by his company was probably rigged to get results that matched his sentiment. The actual question was whether a person agreed with this statement: “I would rather have root canal treatment than be forced to go Christmas or Holiday shopping every day for weeks on end.” The statement seems to contrast a single root canal, with interminable weeks of coerced shopping, devoid of all the rewarding happiness that goes along with holiday shopping.
Looking at this choice, it’s actually surprising that more people didn’t choose the root canal. We can put that down to people’s reluctance about the procedure and their ignorance about how comfortable the procedure really is.
With anesthesia, there is little to no discomfort during the procedure, and following the procedure, discomfort typically lasts a few days, is controllable by over-the-counter medication, and is significantly less than before the root canal. Even anxiety about the procedure can be calmed with sedation dentistry.
If you think you need a root canal, we can help. Please call (803) 781-9090 for an appointment with a Columbia, SC dentist at Smile Columbia Dentistry. Sorry, we can’t help with your Christmas shopping, though.
