> ask your doctor about...

That freaks me out. The doctor is supposed to tell me what to assume, not the other way around.

Also, I have seen too many stories of drug representative sellers with no background in medical sciences convincing doctors to prescribe a drug with many, more-or-less honest arguments.

The other bizarre and ludicrous thing about the constant "ask your doctor" refrain: how many US adults have a personal physician whom they see regularly enough to even be able to call the person "their doctor"?

I'm willing to bet most people have a more substantial relationship with the barista at their local Starbucks than whoever happens to be on duty when they need to go to the doctor.

When I was a kid we all (including my parents) had regular doctors that we had a relationship with. These days a doctor visit for me is rare (once every couple years), so I wouldn't say I have a strong relationship with my doctor, but I do go to the same doctor every time.

I think this is pretty normal; many insurance plans in the US have the concept of a "primary physician" who you nominate as your go-to doc for general issues. (It's easy to change, though.)

I do have more of a relationship with some bartenders at my favorite bars, though; you're right about that.