One of many a pregnant woman’s pet peeves is how people seem to think it’s okay to walk up to her and rub her belly. While I’ve been lucky enough to not experience too many unwelcome encounters – I think I’ve only had three or four people I don’t really know come up to me and rub my belly so far – it’s enough for me to understand how these women feel.
A friend once asked if I’ve had many people rub my belly because, as she put it, “a pregnant woman’s belly is like public property.” Can I just say, it is not. I don’t mind you copping a rub if I know you really well, or if you ask, but if you’re just an acquaintance and you don’t even ask, then it’s not cool.
An aunty I see occasionally on the street where I work once walked right up to me and started rubbing my belly, and I don’t know if she noticed, but I almost flinched, only partly in surprise.
Friends who’ve had babies or husbands whose wives have had babies totally understand. In fact, it’s the husbands who usually caution others, “Don’t touch,” while the wives usually ask, “Can I touch?” If I know you, it’s probably fine. If you ask first, it’s probably fine.
I understand it’s almost instinctive for some – I noted with amusement an acquaintance who automatically reached out when she found out I was pregnant and then pulled back when she realised she was standing too far away to reach my belly – but for the sake of all pregnant women out there, especially the less touchy-feely ones, do try to ask permission first. After all, it’s only polite.
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i even ask my sis in law if it is fine to rub her belly….ask! be polite. Imagine if you are not pregnant and random person just come up and touch you, how would you feel, right?