To not know how to handle this?

[Diamondring]

My ds has a medical condition which amongst many other things results in him being overweight.
There is a girl in his class who has started to be picked up by his grandmother. The grandmother doesn't speak any English. She has taken a liking to me and ds and tries to chat with me at pick up time. Unfortunately I can't understand anything she says, I'm not sure which language it is
Now I think but I'm not sure that she is trying to give me advice about ds's weight, because the one word I did pick out is endicronologist.
I find it embarrassing that I don't understand her, I just smile and nod though.
Where it gets tricky now though is that she has taken to talking to ds, and to patting his tummy when she sees him, and ds really hates it.
How can I deal with this without offending her, when we don't speak the same language?

No worries, thank you

Just intercept her hand next time, shake your head and say no.

Or talk to the teacher and get them to get someone who speaks her language (her grandchild's parents perhaps) to have a word.

You should never be so concerned with avoiding causing offence that you just stay quiet and accept things that upset you. Their offence is not more important than your feelings. Or your son's. Who I assume doesn't get much joy out of being patted.

I second (third? fourth?) the intercepting / removing her hands, frowning, headshake, saying no when she reaches for your son. You can then go back to 'chatting' about whatever - if you're feeling clever, you could have something to move onto, perhaps complimenting her on her a handbag / clothes / etc (pointing and smiling and saying 'pretty' or 'very good', miming 'did you knit it yourself' about a jumper, etc).

I will say I've had totally enjoyable 'chats' with people whose language I don't share. Also that, in some cultures (not necessarily this lady's) large / fat children are seen as being healthy, building strong bones, etc, so she may not be being critical. (Probably is though, if she keeps saying endocrinologist.) I remember this from my own childhood - I was a large kid, and some friends' parents were in favour, some not!

She might understand more English than she can speak: most people have better comprehension skills than speaking skills in second languages. But certainly if your son's not happy about having his tummy patted it's ok to say no and tell her not to do it.

Can the little girl she's collecting not act as translator for you?