To think people working on the checkout shouldn't comment on pregnancy tests?

[Onelittlebugbear]

I'm probably overly sensitive since we've been trying for over a year and starting ivf in February (dh infertile). I haven't tested for a few months but had (false) christmas hope this month.

Checkout lady said 'oh are you hoping to give him a nice christmas surprise? Or would it be a bad surprise and not a good christmas gift?'

It made me actually want to cry. The test is negative btw. Obviously. Because I was stupid to think I was ever likely to be pregnant, it's just never going to happen.

i had this. I was actually testing to make sure that my miscarriage was complete after a erpc. I told the cashier so. That shut her up.

Oh god.
It's all so depressing.

I would like christmas not to happen this year.

YANBU. I remember being shocked once buying a pregnancy test when the cashier made a similar comment. I mentioned to my husband later that I thought it inappropriate.

I'm sorry it has upset you

Make a complaint to head office. Seriously. Cashier was well out of order. Silly cow.

I hear you re: Xmas, onelittle. We are waiting on the outcome of our 4th IVF. I don't think it's going to be good, and all the family-focussed Xmas adverts make me want to put my foot through the telly.

BTW, there is an "egg buddies" thread over in Conception for people going through IVF. Pop over if you fancy some moral support in the lead up to your cycle. x

Oh YANBU for sure.

Been in that exact same situation. 'Maybe a little Christmas present for you?' the lady held up the box after scanning it.

It wasn't. Nor the next month or any other month for the next year.

IVF worked first time for me. Felt like I'd won the lottery when I got that BFP and still does everyday after nearly two years. When you get your BFP (and you will one day I'm sure) you should go buy a whole stash of tests from the same checkout operator and see what she has to say about that. (Honestly, it's so exciting to finally get a BFP that it's great fun to keep testing and see that satisfying line appear)

I bought one at the supermarket and the idiot checkout guy shouted "Good luck!"

I don't think it is fair to call anyone an idiot. After all, I don't think that the comments come from a bad or nasty, malicious place, just a thoughtless one. Yes, it isn't a great idea to comment when you don't know the circs, but in my opinion, they are well meaning & it comes from the same place as 'it happened for a reason' in the light of a miscarriage (until I had a very close friend go through it, I didn't know that saying that was totally not helpful) and I feel it is the same in this case too.

People want to say something, and people often get it wrong. But to call them an idiot is horrible.

YANBU. Pregnancy tests should never be commented on.

Yam

Meant to say YANBU.

differentnameforthis "People want to say something, and people often get it wrong. But to call them an idiot is horrible."

But it is not appropriate for them to "say something" I don't comment on fellow customers' shopping, because they are strangers and it's nothing to do with me. The same applies to the checkout operators.

Yadnbu!
I work on a checkout and would never ever comment. Its rude, nosy and downright unprofessional.
Awful, I would've reported her.

Commenting on a stranger's pregnancy test when you are scanning her shopping makes you a bona fide idiot in my eyes.

I'm not interested in your motivation, good intentions, long track record of well-meaning tactlessness etc etc. I don't care whether you're eighteen or eighty. Just talk about the weather, Christmas, your new pet llama. Anything that would be an appropriate subject for chitchat between two total strangers.

And no one should have to tell you this. It comes under 'normal good manners' as well as 'basic professional attitude in workplace'.

Surely supermarkets could add an instruction about 'personal items' such as condoms and pregnancy tests to their training? Perhaps they do already? I think some people lack sensibilities sometimes and are just afflicted with a desire to babble incessantly and when it's coupled with a nosey nature... Ka-boom!!

YaNbu at all. But please don't give up hope. Enjoy your Christmas and your husband. Same boat for me last year

Some people have no brains

It's the only time I've been thankful for those really annoying self service tills.

Nosy cow!

Gruntfuttock

I didn't say it was appropriate (I don't think it is, btw), I just pointed out that people say this stuff, often not realising that it IS inappropriate. People have different outlooks & different ideas of what IS appropriate, therefore now & then we are all going to come across someone who says the wrong thing/something inappropriate to us. I just don't think it is nice to call them an idiot for it.

When I was a teenager I used to work on the tills in a pharmacy. Whenever someone came through with a pregnancy test, I wanted to say "Good luck" - as whatever the outcome, this could be a major impact on someone's life and I hope they get the outcome they want. Never did, because I was afraid it would come out wrong and I would have been mortified if someone had commented on my shopping, but I wished them luck in my head.

I was also supposed to chat to customers, so that may have contributed to my wanting to say something, as I am rubbish at chatting to strangers. I am very glad that I never did.

Sorry for your bfn and that she upset you, Onelittlebugbear.