what is wrong with people?

[vernacular_life]

I hereby apologize to every pregant woman I may have unwittingly annoyed as she neared her due date. I will say that I NEVER touched any of them, though.


I actually yelled and slapped at someone who tried to rub my stomach this morning.

Annoying Sorta-coworker, aka "N", who's a year or two older than me but not yet had a child stops by my desk. Here's the exchange.

N: OOho! You're still here?! How are you feeeeeling?!
K: (not turning around in chair, praying she'll leave) Yup, feel great
N: Wowwww..........
K: (silence)
N: Well, turn around and let me see you!!! (starts to turn my chair around with me in it. I'm gripping the desk preventing this from happening)
K: PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME. I'm sick of people thinking my stomach is public property.
N: Hee hee! (Proceeds to rub/pat my head)
K: (swats hand away) um, I SAID NO TOUCHING ME. Why does everyone feel the need to either touch me or state the obvious. YES, I'm still here. YES, I'm still pregnant NO, I haven't had the baby.
N: Heehee! Well, I just want to wish you good luck!
k: (silence)
N: Okay, well just let me know what happens!!
K: will do!

Do you see her say "Oho, I'm sorry" in that exchange? Didn't think so.

With the exception of her and the other woman on my floor who I hide in a bathroom stall to avoid, most of my coworkers are cool. I don't mind if some of my close friends stop by in the AM to stick their head in my office with the "okay, just checking to see if you're here today!" kind of comments.

I am having fun at the expense of others when they say "Oho, you haven't had the baby yet??" and I respond, with either "What baby?" or "Um, I'm not pregant. I'm just fat, and that's pretty rude for you to assume"

Comments

[tinksdust.livejournal.com]

People don't go around invading other's personal space when they're not pregnant. Why does being pregnant make it okay to make comments and touch another person? I'm not a touchy-feely person anyway. If I'm ever pregnant and people even think about touching me I think I'll go off.

And if you keep up your comebacks about why you're still at work you could be labeled as the cranky pregnant lady. Can't win either way. If only people would take the hint that you're not interested in coversing with them. You should put up a do not disturb sign on the back of your chair.

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

hee! cranky pregnant lady! I'm only cranky when people ask stupid questions to me. I was in a training workshop yesterday and was very un-cranky for 99% of it.

I may make a sign for my chair saying "yes, I'm still here. Don't state the obvious"

[onelargecat.livejournal.com]

hahaha....what baby?

I think it is SO WEIRD that other people think it's ok to come up and touch pregnant women's bellies. I mean, what exactly are they hoping to feel? What are they looking to get out of it? It's bizarre.

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

It is def. something that I didn't expect to get a lot of these days.

I've spent a lot of time in Italy/France/Europe, and am actually okay with the whole "pinching of the bum" flattey" (it does surprise me the 1st time or so, but afterwards no so much) but I don't know WHAT is up with the belly rubbing.

[tokori.livejournal.com]

ok, I hate hate hate people touching my stomach when Im not preggers.. so its motivation for me to never get preg