The other day I was at the grocery store. The clerk ringing me up (I HAVE TO MENTION I DID *NOT* KNOW HER) all of a sudden looked at me and said, "are you pregnant hun?" I'm 4 1/2 months and not overly large, just average size for 5'6''. She almost seemed concerned. I was like, "uh, yes 18 weeks." and she went "awww" and reached out and touched my belly!!!! I could NOT believe it. I was so weirded out. Was this strange and how can I avoid this in the future? Cuase if she would have caught me on a "bad" day, I would have reached out and touched her stomach because I thought this was totally inappropriate...what do you think about it?
2007-02-08 05:38:48 · 43 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
EW!
I would have given her the strangest look and asked her what the hell she was doing?! I don't mind close friends/family touching my belly when I'm actually showing. But, when there is no baby bump or just a little one hands off. ESPECIALLY if I don't know you.
I would never go up to another shopper at a grocery store and touch her butt (or his for that matter) cause it was "cute".
2007-02-08 05:44:23 · answer #1 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people can tell without looking at your belly. I worked with a woman who asked me when my baby was due before anyone else in the store knew I was pregnant. I had a mini-bump but I could very well have been putting on weight at that point. When I asked if I was showing that much she told me that she hadn't even looked, she had seen it on my face when I walked through the door. Some people are just more perceptive to things like that.
That said, only 2 people have ever touched my pregnant belly, and one was very tentative until I gave her permission to do so. I don't understand why some people just can't keep their hands off of a pregnant woman, but it's probably a good thing no one else has ever tried this on me. Like you, I would be inclined to do it back, at the very least, if caught on a bad day. Short of wearing a sandwich board or custom printed t-shirt that says "No Touchy", I don't know any GOOD suggestions on how to curb that kind of behavior. A polite, at least as polite as you can manage depending on your mood, "Please don't do that again (or I'll snap your wrist)" is a start. If you want to try avoiding saying something you'll regret later, even to a stranger, try to keep enough space between you and them and try to step back when you see that hand coming out.
2007-02-08 06:09:18 · answer #2 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many women are surprised that people want to start rubbing their bellies as they start to show during pregnancy While some women don't mind, others feel uncomfortable. It isn't uncommon for perfect strangers to come up to you and rub your belly.
If it really bothers you, you can always tell them you are ticklish. Or head them off by patting your own belly that way your hand is in the way and may prevent them from reaching out to touch your belly without an invitation. Remember that babies tend to fill the world with joy, that's why so many people are fond of rubbing a pregnant woman's belly. Others believe there is luck to be had by rubbing a pregnant woman's belly... while this has yet to be 'proven' it certainly can't hurt!
2007-02-08 06:38:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Youll get that touching thing everywhere you go. People have a way at getting to ya when they constantly touch your belly as if they are holding the child. I think at some point it is inappropriate especially for the store clerk to do it. You need to tell people that it bothers you when people grab at your stomach or you can hold back. Just remember you are only 18 weeks in, the bigger you get the more it will happen.
2007-02-08 05:45:07 · answer #4 · answered by highdle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LoL I know what you mean however I don't know how you can avoid it. I have 3 children and the pregnant belly is hard to hide and from people that feel they can touch it for some reason. The only thing that would work is as soon as you see some stranger reach for your belly say I would rather you not touch my belly but then you sound mean so lol I don't know. Good Luck!
2007-02-08 05:43:57 · answer #5 · answered by K J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's bizarre that people think it's ok to touch a stranger's pregnant belly without asking...
No one has done this to me yet thankfully...it would make me VERY uncomfortable and I think it is inappropriate. I don't mind if my family touches my belly...but strangers??? NO WAY!
If it were me I would have smacked her hand! I know it sounds terrible but I think it's rude and inappropriate for a stranger to touch your pregnant belly...I think it's just as bad as if someone pinched your butt! Your baby belly is very personal. Next time someone does that move back away from the person or say "please don't touch my belly".
Just because you're pregnant does NOT give strangers the right to physically put their hands on you!!!
2007-02-08 06:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by LittleRoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going to get that a lot, especially as you get bigger. Lots of people find the prego belly so cute. If it is something that really bothers you, then you can ward off most of the belly touching with your body language (turning from the outstretched hand, pretending you thought they wanted to shake hands instead, etc.) Or you could always buy a personalized t-shirt that says something like "I'm pregnant, not Buddha....Please don't rub my belly!"
2007-02-08 05:45:11 · answer #7 · answered by Stormie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No not at all, you will learn that now that u r pregnant your stomach does not belong to you and everyone will want to touch it...i dont know why people do this they just do...mainly women...when i was pregnent with my first i played in a pool tournement called the CAN/AM....125 women and i was 7 1/2 months pregnent...you want to talk about getting your tummy touched, let me tell you...by the end of the weekend it didnt really bother me any more...dont worry it will all be over soon...good luck and congratulation!!
2007-02-08 05:53:03 · answer #8 · answered by eyesopen16 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 24 weeks and in the past month my belly has become public property. I've been lucky enough to have MOST people ask me before they rub, and I haven't really had any strangers, a few people who were barely aquaintances, but no strangers =).
I try not to take it as them being rude, even though it is intrusive. People love babies, so I figure it's just another person wishing me and my baby well. Good luck!
2007-02-08 05:49:56 · answer #9 · answered by karijay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 kids and I hated that too the best advice I can give you is when someone reaches for your belly take a step back and continue the conversation as though nothing happened you won't affend any one but they will get the point
2007-02-08 05:50:48 · answer #10 · answered by joe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋