Join me in the "Hands off" campaign!- August 22, 2010
I have heard of this faux pas from other pregnant women, and any other woman who has ever gestated. I had been doing alright avoiding this awkward social situation so far. 30 weeks and no real stranger danger. That was until Friday when I was working…
For our purposes we’ll call it a business meeting. Some important people were there. I was discussing a business matter with a grown man. He was probably in his 50’s, an absolutely massive human-being, possibly a linebacker in his younger years. It was after the meeting. I was standing with some colleagues. Me: “So, sir, I just want to double check. It was 1999 when your group won their class action lawsuit?”
I’m not quite sure what it was about that statement that prompted his next actions. Maybe it was the fact we were wearing business attire and I was sifting through notes. Surely a woman sifting through notes would want to discuss her fertility at that time. This man, whom I had just met, reached out his great bear paw and RUBBED MY BELLY! Him: “Oh, so cute! I just can’t help myself.”
Ummm…surely you can help yourself at that moment. I just sort of backed away in the awkwardness, determined NOT to be the one embarrassed in this situation. I just gave him a strange look, said thank you, and repeated my question. (I could see a colleague out of the corner of my eye with his jaw on the floor.) The man then realized how inappropriate he was really being as he sputtered an answer. I hung back for a second after the group dispersed to give him a chance to maybe apologize. Nothing.
What on earth would make this man think that it was okay to do that? My husband, the doctor, family and friends who ask first…that really about covers it in my book for people who can rub my belly. I guess since his wife-daughter-niece-sister-friend has been pregnant and he touched her belly, it was okay to touch mine? Absolutely not! Oh, a reminder, that is a woman’s uterus you’re touching! Yep, a stranger’s uterus!
I found an etiquette article addressing this issue. (They are nicer than me.) I may even join this Facebook group.
PREGNANT LADIES, IT IS TIME FOR US TO STAND TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY TO RID THE WORLD OF THIS BARBARIC BEHAVIOR! So, the next time it happens, I’m rubbing his belly back. He looked like he was about 37 weeks along. A man carrying a baby to full term surely deserves a pat of congratulations.
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bahahah nice. perfect reaction. i wouldve been incensed. im 35 weeks and thank God no one has had the balls to try that with me yet
yup, really can't believe that! especially a GUY and then top it all off in a BUSINESS MEETING! really? that's just wrong. duh. you had a good response though. and really, i bet even though that guy didn't respond (apologize) he'll think twice next time he sees a pregnant woman. just think of yourself as doing a service for future women that come across his path!
I HATED that when I was pregnant! Just wait until the baby is born, though. You will have random strangers wandering over to your child and picking it up! I honestly don't know what is up with people these days…
I love your blog, btw. You and Greyson seem like you are going to be wonderful parents (and would totally be my friends in real life! lol)
I got off lucky and never had a stranger rub my belly, but know so many people who did. If you wouldn't do it to a non-pregnant woman why would you do it to a pregnant one. It is still your body even when another being is inside it. As for the touching and picking up of other people's babies there are now cool signs for when they are little that say "hands off." Definitely great to have during flu season, because people son't even think, they just reach for a cute baby. http://www.handsoffbaby.com/