# When getting an injection or other kind of needle poke, do you like to watch the needle go in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 20, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017 "2011-02-20T16:51:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ptr2void](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ptr2void/32/3406_2.png) [@ptr2void](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ptr2void)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/22 "2011-02-20T19:03:33Z")
I find it far, far less painful – indeed, nearly painless – if I watch. So I do. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/23 "2011-02-20T19:48:57Z")
I used to watch until I got a little nauseated watching a blood draw from me, so now I prefer to look away, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/24 "2011-02-20T20:14:28Z")
I found it fascinating the first few times. The past hundred or so have been pretty boring. The last time I was reading a magazine with my other hand. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/25 "2011-02-20T20:27:21Z")
> [@ptr2void](#): > > I find it far, far less painful – indeed, nearly painless – if I watch. So I do. I’ve experienced the opposite. If I don’t watch, quite frequently I won’t even know when the needle goes in. And if the nurse/technician is skillful, sometimes I don’t even feel it. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/26 "2011-02-20T20:40:00Z")
There is no power in heaven, hell or on earth that could get me to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/27 "2011-02-20T20:57:25Z")
Don’t care either way. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/28 "2011-02-20T21:00:56Z")
I watch because I don’t want the nurse to think I am a wimp. This stems from when I was about 10 and a nurse told me that “most people” don’t like to watch. I saw that as basically a dare, and the complex was formed. Also, I find it kinda cool. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/29 "2011-02-20T21:21:38Z")
I think my need to watch comes from the very first time I was given a shot (or rather, the first time I could _remember_ getting a shot, since I’m sure I had them as an infant). I was about five years old, and during that entire physical I’d been poked and prodded quite a bit (including getting blood taken from my finger, which I watched, and was relatively okay with). It was pretty unpleasant, but it was nearing the end, so I was excited about getting dressed and going home. I was also pretty excited that I hadn’t had a shot, since I didn’t know what they were like, but I knew they were unpleasant. I was chatting up the nurse as I sat on the exam table…then I felt a gigantic stab of pain from my left arm. I sat there and howled. Not just because of the pain (though that was considerable), but because I felt lied to. They tricked me! They made me feel like I was about to go home, and then they got all sneaky and stuck a needle in me! The nerve!! Of course, I realize why they did this: I think they thought if they told me beforehand I’d be getting a shot, I’d start panicking and try to wriggle free. And I might have, who knows. But from that day forward, I always made sure I was aware of the shot, and that I could see it happen. It was always worse when I couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/30 "2011-02-20T22:00:28Z")
I used to give blood (3 gals lifetime) before I was deemed unable to do so by the Red Cross and the USDA. I could never look when the stuck the needle in my arm. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/31 "2011-02-20T22:07:21Z")
I’d prefer to watch. I really don’t like the surprise. I’ve never given blood, but shots, blood draws, tattoos, always watching and it really never bothered me at all. One of the reasons I switched from the Imitrex [Statdose](http://rufingserious.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/ebay-imitrex3.jpg) to a plain old vial and syringe was because I couldn’t actually see what I was doing. I like being able to watch the needle penetrate my skin whereas the Statdose was more along the lines of talking to the nurse and suddenly realizing you had a needle in your arm. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/32 "2011-02-20T22:20:57Z")
I watch. I challenge myself to watch and not give the slightest flinch or even tense up. Shows what a tough guy I am. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/33 "2011-02-20T22:22:47Z")
I need to watch when I inject insulin. The pen needle is No. 31, very fine and easily bent up. Plus sometimes I’ll get a bump if I push the button too fast. OTOH, when blood is drawn, no fucking way. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/34 "2011-02-20T22:29:39Z")
I don’t have to watch the tattooist… but I can’t Not watch the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/35 "2011-02-20T22:37:29Z")
I’m a registered nurse. As such, I give injections, both intramuscular and subcutaneous, and do blood draws several times a week. I’d estimate 80% of my clientele don’t watch injections and 90% don’t watch blood draws. When it comes to my body, it doesn’t matter when it comes to injections or blood draws, but I don’t like to watch that railroad spike they stick in my arm when I donate blood (almost 6 gallons!) I close my eyes tight when it comes to getting injections in my mouth at the dentist. {{{{shudder}}}} ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/36 "2011-02-20T23:55:54Z")
I totally look. I’m perfectly fine with regular shots or blood draws, as long as they’re going somewhere I can see. Somehow I impress people who draw my blood because I’m so calm about it. I don’t get that; it’s no big deal for me. I panic if I _can’t_ see it. Such as at the dentist. I’ve never had to get stitches but if they were on a part of me I could see I’d want to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/37 "2011-02-21T00:14:36Z")
I HAVE to watch. The Red Cross guy always says “Oh, you’re brave!” No, I just have a compulsion. The funny thing is, I CAN’T watch on TV when other people get needles put into them, or when my dad does his diabetes testing or anything. I can’t even stand to hear the sound of the needle spring with my dad. But I absolutely have to watch needles on _me._ ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/38 "2011-02-21T00:21:10Z")
For injections, I like to watch it go in. For extractions, I turn away or pass out. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/39 "2011-02-21T00:21:31Z")
I’m diabetic. I test my BG at least 7 times a day, and I have to take at least 4 injections per day. Needles and/or poke-y things don’t bother me at all. I rather enjoy watching the needle go in, since I’m so used to it. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/40 "2011-02-21T00:22:42Z")
I not only don’t look, I have to mentally transfer myself away. I admit it - I’m a wuss. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017/41 "2011-02-21T00:26:52Z")
I don’t usually watch when I donate blood just because I work at the Red Cross and I don’t want to make my co-workers nervous. I am in a supervisory position and very well known for how picky I am about making sure everything is done just so. Otherwise, I am a watcher. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-getting-an-injection-or-other-kind-of-needle-poke-do-you-like-to-watch-the-needle-go-in/572017.md?page=3)