The belly vs. public space

Personally I've had it. I don't know if anyone else feels this way and maybe I'm being pregnant crazy but I say enough! My belly is still apart of my body. Strangers, people I have never met, in the store, drs, anywhere have come up and put their hands all over my belly. I don't walk up to people I don't know that aren't pregnant and touch their bellies! It's still my body, my skin, my space. Get out of my space! Ok, sorry to blow-up but I had to put my frustration somewhere and maybe someone else here might understand. Thank you.

 

I haven't had this problem as I'm on bedrest, but I think I would probably feel the same way. Maybe try putting your hand on their bellies and see how they like it? Or maybe just reach up and stroke their hair, or grab their nose...then they would understand that it's inappropriate and uncomfortable for you. Teach them a lesson for pregnant women everywhere! I bet they'd think again before groping another one of us. :rotflmbo: :rotflmbo: :rotflmbo:

 

Ok, so frustration turns to laughter. I'll have to try that and see how it works.

 

I'm gonna start stroking people's hair when they touch me!! Ask them what kind of 'Poo they use on those locks??! :rotflmbo:

 

I share the same frustration as you too! Colleagues and relatives (even my mother in law!!) just reaches over and touches my belly like its some items on the shelf!! Hello!!! Some respect please!! :nea:

 

I even had a cashier at Marshall's reach across the counter and touch my belly!

This summer I was in a liquor store picking up beer for my husband. I was in the refrigerated room and this woman came in saying that I shouldn't even be in the store because I was pregnant and then she pushed in my belly button like it was a door bell! At that point my belly button was really protruding.

I remember seeing a woman with a great t-shirt while waiting for an ultrasound, it said "Touch the belly, lose a hand!"

 

I hate any intrusion on my space! The worse thing though was when I first had the twins people just think they are public property or something. Women (always women) would come up to us in the shops and stop in front of the pram and just reach out to touch them we couldnt believe it but I still find it now! My DH said to a woman one day 'can you not touch please' and she got angry at him and 'said why would I want to then' and he said 'thats right have your own' it made me laugh. I dont think some people have a clue <_<

 

Oh, i get it! I have a tee shirt that says "Unless you are the man that put these babies in here, don't even think about it." I wear it alot. (My Doctor loves it, and says it should be part of the "welcome to pregnancy" pack that they do at my hospital when you're 12 weeks pregnant.)

 

fortunately, i never had this problem with strangers (i didn't mind family and friends touching my belly, tho), but i was TOTALLY prepared to reach over and squeeze their belly fat if a stranger came up and touched my belly!

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Oct 6 2008, 02:11 PM) [snapback]1013380[/snapback]
fortunately, i never had this problem with strangers (i didn't mind family and friends touching my belly, tho), but i was TOTALLY prepared to reach over and squeeze their belly fat if a stranger came up and touched my belly!



LMAO!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I had an invasive male coworker touch my belly when I was around 10 weeks.... and wasn't really showing AT ALL. I informed him that maybe he should get a lawyer as that was DEFINATELY sexual harassment. When he looked puzzled, I explained that since SEX made that belly interesting, it must be SEXUAL. I haven't had ANY issues from him since (and I'm obviously big belly with pop out belly button and all)!

I've discovered that if I keep a careful eye on others' hands, then I can tell when they are "making a move" on my belly. Then I can intercept with a handshake, hug, compliment of their jewerly... something that distracts them. And then I mention my PUPPPS rash.... no one wants to see it and NO ONE wants to touch it, so that TOTALLY took care of the touching!

Good luck ladies!

Dominique

 

Im soooo gald to know Im not the only one. This really needs to be published more often. Public forums, newspapers, evening news. The word must get out!!! You all are awsome!

 

I can't believe people still do that when I have heard SO many pregnant women complain about it.
So far most of the people who have touched my belly have been family or friends, or at least friendly acquaintances--all female, I think, though my neighbor knows this one man who keeps trying to touch hers (to feel the baby kick) even though she's asked him twice to stop. That would really piss me off.

I too am totally prepared to touch the other person's belly fat if they put unwelcome hands on mine!

 

What a great thread! hahaa
I love the tweek the nose or squeeze the belly fat ideas!
I've been lucky...most of mine have been friends and family and i'm ok with that. but my skin is sooooo sensitive, it's prickly and tingly, I grin and bear it for them...anyone else though...

The only awkward encounter i've had is when a woman was hitting on my husband in a grocery store (i was right there)-she even admitted it. I thought it was funny....then she rushed over to me to give me a hug...it was the strangest thing ever! We had to dodge her in all the aisles! I felt a little bad, because although a bit on the 'wierd' side, she was as nice as can be!! DH and I still laugh about it!