In the line at Target today this lady asked me if I was having a girl and rubbed my stomach. She didnt even ask if it was ok or anything. She looked like she was pretty far up there in age, so I didnt want to be disrespectful and let her have it. I just said yes and let the man behind me go before me.Anyway, is this acceptable? I dont think it is obviously,but has it ever been?
2007-08-25 11:02:12 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I've seen the same question come up on Dear Abby. I searched the archive and found that article for you:
http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/index.html?uc_full_date=20070506
2007-08-25 11:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Bree 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it was ever acceptable to touch strangers. Maybe back in the day when ppl lived in small villages and everyone knew each other you could rub the stomach of someone who was not a close family member....But a total stranger, NO!
You were right though to be respectful of this older woman she obviously didn't mean any harm and was probably thinking of the long ago past when she was pregnant.
2007-08-26 01:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by beth l 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's one of those holdovers from a very long time ago; it's lucky to rub a pregnant woman's belly. I didn't like it either; but I let it go because it was always older women and I felt respect for them.
2007-08-26 00:55:51 · answer #3 · answered by Robin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Should have rubbed HER belly and ask how long she's been constipated (my MOTHER did this back in 1961!)
2007-08-26 19:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by AmericanPatriot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow how rude!
One person from a restaurant I went to frequently asked if she could touch my tummy with my first one, so I let her. No one (except my husband, son, mom, or best friend) has asked to touch my tummy this time. I wouldn't let anyone I didn't know.
2007-08-25 18:18:00 · answer #5 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its not acceptable and its a totally rude invasion of personal space. you should have rubbed her belly back and asked was she having twins...
2007-08-25 21:43:24 · answer #6 · answered by me 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has never been acceptable except in very low class circles.
2007-08-25 18:35:51 · answer #7 · answered by Gaspode 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's not acceptable, but it's common. i wish people would quit it. it happens to me sometimes. i like their faces when i tell them i'm not pregnant, i'm fat.
i wonder what would happen if i were to lose weight. folks would wonder where the baby went.
2007-08-25 18:19:45 · answer #8 · answered by slkrchck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe in some cultures. But not ours.
2007-08-25 19:11:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. Her behavior was inappropriate!
2007-08-25 19:53:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋