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Original poster

They warn you its going to happen but.... A complete stranger just touched my stomach

59 replies

AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:14

I was walking along the corridor talking to someone at work, and I told her I am pregnant. Two girls walking behind me, who I don't know - Squealed - Oh my god, are you. and then one of them leaned over and touched my stomach!!

Totally out of the blue - never even seen her before never mind talked to her!

I just said - Oh my god, don't do that!! I was warned about this but didn't think it actually happened!

I still can't belive it! Who the hell does something like that!! How do you stop them?

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GoodGollyMissMolly · 05/09/2007 16:18

I know it's horrible isn't it when a complete stranger does it. just push their hands away and tell them that you dont like it when [eople touch your bump, especially a complete stranger.

I had a guy (who looked to be in his 40's) in Sainsburys do the same thing to me when I was about 25 weeks (ish) and I was sooooo shocked I couldn't say anything, but DH had a right go at him He is very protective of my bump.

kitsandbits · 05/09/2007 16:19

Just wait till you have a huge bump - people cant keep their hands off! [hhm]

ConnorTraceptive · 05/09/2007 16:20

I had someone lift my top up to look when i was pregnant with ds and

Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:23

I just thought somehow I would be able to see it coming and stop them, or something. I don't know, I just didn't really believe that someone would invade my space like that.

And of course its someone at work, and I am in a new area, and now think word will go round that I am a rude cow!! Then again she is the rude cow, you just don't start touching strangers stomachs!!

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Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:23

connortraceptive What did you do?

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Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:24

Kitsandbits, how did you handle it?

GoodGollyMissMolly, what did you do when DH wasn't around?

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RubySlippers · 05/09/2007 16:25

you say (when you are first pregnant and not really showing too much)

"i hope you enjoyed stroking my lunch"

used to say this all the time ...people loved stroking my non-existent bump

ConnorTraceptive · 05/09/2007 16:26

lifted her top up and said "Ooh let's see your stretch marks"

I did know her but still quite shocked she would think it was ok to do that

Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:29

connortraceptive Thats the thing, is such an invasion of your personal space, how can anyone think thats ok?

I get the asking if you can feel the baby kick thing! - but thats the point - you ask.

Rubbyslippers - good answer, probably better to handle it with humour if you can!! I was just so shocked

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GoodGollyMissMolly · 05/09/2007 16:30

Depends what mood I'm in, LOL.

If I'm a bit 'ranty', I tend to shout at them but if I'm in a good mood
I just tell them that I dont like strangers touching my bump and that they should be embarrased of themselves for touching the body of someone they dont know!! I find that usually makes them go red in the face, esp if it's in a mega busy place

TBH, I dont mind people touching my bump, but only family, DH, Mum and Dad and Nana cant keep her hand off it when I see her

xx

bohemianbint · 05/09/2007 16:31

Hmmm...no one ever did it to me, but I was waiting...Perhaps I looked like I would kill them if they tried!

Sazisi · 05/09/2007 16:33

I'm feeling a bit left out, because in 3 [pregnancies I don't think anyone ever touched my belly without asking!

lemonaid · 05/09/2007 16:34

No one ever did it to me. I must just look scary...

missbumpy · 05/09/2007 16:34

Yep, had a stranger touch my bump in the lift at M&S. I was too shocked to speak. I just backed away and looked at her like she was a maniac. My DP's sister not only touches my bump, but puts her face right up to it and starts speaking to it. I don't like it but I don't want to offend her.

Annoying isn't it?

Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:38

GoodGollyMissMolly, I have always been funny about having my stomach touched, It just always felt funny (pre-pregnancy) and I have really had to make an effort to let DH touch it now I am pregnant (as its right and proper that he should). I wouldn't mind family touching it, but I would expect even them to ask first.

Hmmm think I will have to go with the - excuse me, I didn't give you permission to touch me - type of thing - still can't belive she did it.

Bohemianbint and Sazisi - very - Sazisi - I wouldn't feel left out - its not a nice experiance

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Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:39

Missybump - increadibly - still in shock!

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foofi · 05/09/2007 16:39

Oh God - my DH did this to someone we (vaguely) know recently and I was SO embarassed.

bananabump · 05/09/2007 16:41

Could have been worse, I remember when I was about five or six months pregnant, chatting with a member of sils family who was asking me loads of questions about the pregnancy. I was semi-reclining on the sofa, and as she went to get up, she decided to give the bump a rub, but wasn't really looking what she was doing, and patted my fanny instead. I don't know who was more horrified.

Bump touchers... just don't!

GoodGollyMissMolly · 05/09/2007 16:43

OMG it must be so much worse for you if you already have a thing about your stomach, I can totaly sympathise with you.

I would just tell them to ask in future and maybe put your hands all over their stomach and ask if they like having their personal space invaded by a stranger.

Or you could always try faking a stomach twinge when they do it, with a big groan and a pained look on your face, ha ha, that ought to scare them

Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 05/09/2007 16:48

Foofi - how Did he realise he shouldn't have done it?

Bananabump - I bet she thought twice before doing it again!

MissMolly - Ha Ha - thats a really good idea. Will try that!

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ConnorTraceptive · 05/09/2007 16:50

Ah I've had the accidental fanjo fondle too by my sil. she stroked my bump and just kept going

Alfie72 · 05/09/2007 17:01

Just pat their stomach back and say " Feels a bit odd doesn't it ?"

sarahloumadam · 05/09/2007 17:09

One of my new students (age 16 +) came up to me and patted my bump and said "goodbye baby" at the end of my lesson! Was too surprised to say anything (you never see them coming!) but I have decided in future to smile and say something along the lines of "it is good manners to ask before you touch someone's bump...". However if I was in M & S and a complete stranger attempted the same...

Have not had too many space invaders - usually give out the right "look, don't touch" vibes but this student penetrated my force field!

Peachy · 05/09/2007 17:12

I wish they'd be as friendly at school- heard someone doing the is she / isnt she thing today, why don't they just ASK?

(was sticking my tummy out amx at that point LOL, as hoping for one of the few seats (am having dizzy spells) but didn't get one.

Actually I must look most forbidding, nobody has ever touched my bump in any pregnancy 9currently have 3 DS's)

Original poster
AnguaVonUberwald · 06/09/2007 10:17

Connortraceptive

Alfie72 - definitly going to do something/say something. Its just not right.

Saraloumadam - I just don't get why people think its OK? What is it about pregnancy that stops all the normal laws of respect and privacy applying?

Peachy - how do you do it, teach us, please!!

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