Whitty comeback for being childless?

[Elouera]

DH & I have bought a large house needing renovations to live in ourselves. People walking past are always commenting, asking questions and generally wishing us well. One women asked where the babies are? I told her we dont have children. She was adament she saw a push chair on the property, asked why I denied it and didnt want to talk about them!!! I said again that we dont have children and things just havent worked out in that regard.

We have TTC 10yrs and had my 3rd MC a few months ago.

Other than saying F£@K off, its none of your buisiness, what other things would/do you say in these circumstances?

@hitchhikingghost

Is there any particular reason you ask?

Did you not read ANY of the opening post?

‘ Not for lack of trying...’

They’re not worth your wit or headspace — plus this person sounds deeply weird if she hallucinated a pushchair and thought you were denying the existence of children?

My sister is childless by choice, she's terrified of babies. Her mother in law kept asking when they see going to make her a grandmother. I told her t say the problem was with her son. I'm so sorry you're going through such an awful trial having kids. I agree with pp that you should tell her that you've been trying and having miscarriages, you'll make her feel awful about asking.❤

@PurpleDaisies
I'm pretty sure that was meant to be the answer to the nosey lady

Oh I thought someone had had a go at Prof Chris Whitty for being childless.

[quote duvetstealer]@PurpleDaisies
I'm pretty sure that was meant to be the answer to the nosey lady[/quote]
Oh that makes a bit more sense.

‘Shall we discuss your contraceptive choices?’

awaits ‘but why are you on Mumsnet if you don’t have children’ comment

I think your "fuck off" idea was a good one.

I used to say I was allergic or my dog/cat was allergic depending on the person, then change the subject

Howabout "why do you think it's ok to ask intrusive personal questions? I find you impertinent."

Alternatively you could say "we prefer anal"

I am in a very similar position to you and when people have asked me directly I now tell them the truth
However that is my preference and I understand not everyone is comfortable to do so. I've never been asked by a stranger in the way you have though. It sucks

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the typo!!!

A witty reply is the wrong word really. I guess I wanted something to make her feel awful for prying so much. Even after I said we dont have kids and explaining that maybe she saw a lawnmower handle behind the hedge, she continued to go on about it definately being a push chair and why I didnt want to talk about the babies!

@Snog

Howabout "why do you think it's ok to ask intrusive personal questions? I find you impertinent."

Alternatively you could say "we prefer anal"

😁

Sorry OP. It must have been both upsetting and infuriating

I think sometimes the truth can be good for making people feel uncomfortable and they sound like they deserve to feel so.

Tell her you sold them to buy the fancy lawnmower pushchair lookalike because it handles better round corners 🤣

@Hotcuppatea

People can be so fucking intrusive and insensitive.

Are you sure you can't just tell them to fuck off?

I came here to say the same comment!

I'm a fan of "we can't have children. Because I don't like them".

The lawnmower woman was a bit mad I think OP. I’d just ignore that. She clearly has problems of her own.

Some great suggested responses to the nosey parkers though !

I’m sorry to hear of what you’ve been through

Just realised that seems somewhat flippant given what you've been through OP. No offence meant.

I also thought this thread was going to be about Chris Whitty!

I was asked this when newly married at a client event - we were trying and I didn’t know what to say. One of the clients wives said “well they don’t come to order” and changed the subject. Years later still think that was a classy way to respond to such a crass comment.

I went for the full truth once when someone kept on at me about something (non DC related). I snapped, and told them all about a past traumatic incident, they shut up pretty fast and changed the subject.

Depends how much you want to share though, obviously doesn't work for everybody but I had had enough!

Gosh, you must be so brave to ask that question.. I’m always worried I’m sticking my nose in, you never really know what people are going through, do you?”
I like this reply

No offence taken to any replies. I've been having a good laugh infact at some of the replies!

In particular I liked the comment about selling the children for a new lawnmower !!!

"My husband is in the dungeon now, creating one from old body parts - you look healthy, how are your kidneys?"