My friend Kelly is *extremely* pregnant with twins(about 7 months). We go baby stuff shopping a lot, and to her doctor's appointments.
When we are out walking, men and women will randomly walk up to her and put their hands on her stomach. Sometimes children, too, but Kelly doesn't mind that as much.
Anyway, Kelly will calmly and nicely tell the stranger that she is uncomfortable with people touching her stomach, and instead of apologizing, most of the people get a major attitude and storm off. One man even had the nerve to say "Well then don't be pregnant!!" We had never seen this man before!!
Kelly doesn't feel like she has to stay in her home until she has these kids. I've even gone as far as to get her a t-shirt that says "Unless you're a doctor, HANDS OFF" that everyone finds highly amusing (even strangers).
Why do people view pregnant women's bellies as common public area, and why do they get so offended when nicely asked to keep their hands to themselves?
2006-12-13
10:55:20
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15 answers
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asked by
Bachman-ette
4
in
Pregnancy & Parenting
➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I couldn't tell you why but My sis just had a baby and I never just touched her stomach or rubbed it. Alot of other people did though, I can't figure out why people will rub your stomach but would be seriously pissed if you rubbed or patted their as*. tell her to carry a can of silly string and cover anybody who touches her..lol well maybe but hey its an idea.... People Never Put Themselves in the others position
2006-12-13 11:09:51
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answer #1
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answered by CJ 3
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I don't ever remember knocking anything down when i was pregnant with my son, but all my shirts have food stains on the belly areas haha now I'm pregnant with our second and I'm much bigger this time so we'll see!!
2016-05-23 21:41:49
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Some people are so in to themselves that they actually think it's ok to touch a stranger.
I don't remember anyone every trying to touch my belly and I feel sorry for your friend.
I must say pregnant women are so cute, I love bellies, but not when they are bare and exposed. I would never go up and touch someone's belly no matter how round. There is a human life in there and you are not supposed to just go up and touch stuff. That just shows you who the rude people in this world are! Maybe next time you should tell them flat out - hey, people do not like you touching them! Get your cootie hands off of me!
Love the shirt idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-12-13 13:18:05
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answer #3
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answered by cool chic 2no 2
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Before I fell pregnant, there were alot of pregnant people in my work place. Personally, I did not even consider touching their bellies, as it is theirs in the first place!
Now that I am pregnant (39 weeks - and counting down!!) I have experienced the same problem as your friend - people constantly coming up and touching or rubbing my belly without even asking first.
The best way I found to avoid having someone touch you is to walk around with a death stare on your face - really scares people off!! (I couldnt find a shirt like the one you got your friend haha)
The fact that people got offended when she asked them to leave off really shocks me - they have no right to be doing it in the first place so they should be expecting that sort of response.
Maybe they were embarrassed at being told hands off, and that was the only way they thought to react.
I think the main attraction is that there is a baby in there, which in itself is a pretty amazing thing. This next bit will sound big headed - forgive me! I've had alot of people they just love the look of my belly, they reckon its like I've got a beach ball under my shirt and they just want to touch it! (I didn't know having a beach ball under your shirt was that appealing personally!)
I wish your friend the best of luck - and good on you for getting her the shirt! Hopefully it keeps people off! I know at one stage I resorted to wearing a bag over the front of my belly - lo and behold people still push it aside to cop a feel!!!
2006-12-13 11:15:29
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answer #4
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answered by yummy_mummy 2
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I think people are just interested in a new life that is soon coming into this world. Maybe they are envious of her and wish they were having one as well or men wished their spouses were. Children are just curious I'm sure. I wouldn't walk up to somebody I didn't know and take their stomach. But I can't believe people would be rude about it. It's not their right to touch her stomach, its not a public domain. And omg that shirt does sound hilarious.
2006-12-13 10:59:37
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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People forget decorum and just want to give the mom and her baby their love. They don't mean to offend or embarrass or weird-out the mom, they just forget that they don't know you and you aren't family. I think some people just want to be a part of something so miraculous and wonderful. They don't mean any harm to the mom or the baby, they just forget. ( My Grandmother used to pat the belly and say to the mom, "You dear, dear child, how wonderful for you!") She might try carrying an empty gift bag in front of her belly, maybe put a crumpled up sheet of news paper in it, then she'd have sort of a shield between her and the belly patters. Congrats Kelly!
2006-12-13 13:31:22
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answer #6
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answered by ihave5katz 5
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I hated it too. And I also told people nicely that I don't like people to touch. My daughter and husband would touch but I didn't even feel comfortable with my sister doing it. I think people like to feel the babies move and re-live their own pregnancies.
2006-12-13 12:10:00
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answer #7
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answered by momofthreemiracles 5
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I don't know. If anyone touched my pregnant belly I'd slap their hand and tell them if they try it again I'll call the police for harassment.
2006-12-13 11:12:52
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answer #8
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answered by Miriam Z 5
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It's probably because the big stomach attract or stands out in the crowd and some people just are nosy or NOT WELL-MANNERED.
2006-12-13 10:59:13
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answer #9
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answered by a 4
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People are just happy to see another women to have a baby. Either that or they're just very weird...
2006-12-13 10:57:49
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answer #10
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answered by µMeGA WaTT 3
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