“Is that number 3 in there?”
by HeatherNote to the world at large:
It is not very nice to say, “is that number 3 in there?” to a woman you hardly know. It’s almost always a bad idea.
Last night, Alec and I went to a party welcoming a friend back to town. And over the course of the conversation, I was introduced as his old roommate as well as a person who has been very busy in the last three years (marriage, two sons).
I was enjoying the change of pace to catch up with an old friend without the little ones around. Had a little beer (out of a can — how college!) and was in the middle of a glass of wine when the man asked me that awful question.
I chuckled it off and said very loudly and nervously, “that’s the belly from number two still going away” but I wanted to run and cry.
But I didn’t cry. I finished my awkward conversation, excused myself for a glass of water, and grabbed Alec so he could tell me how decidedly-unpregnant I look right now.
I’m never wearing that shirt again.
Stumble it!
August 19th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
That happened to me too when I was getting some pants shortened at the tailor. I did exactly what you did and felt the same way. I am so overly cautious about that that even when I’m almost 99% sure that someone is pregnant, I still won’t say it unless they say it first!
August 19th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Ugh, that is awful. I hope he was embarrassed too. I almost did that to my sister-in-law before I understood these things, and I am sooooo glad I held my tongue!
August 19th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
That sucks.
My stupid Stepmom just said to me this week “You aren’t pregnant again are you?”
Uh, nope. Thanks for pointing out my PMS bloat + baby pouch that apparenly looks like I’m with child.
What I want to say is…
Her youngest is 10, mine is 1. What’s her excuse?
August 20th, 2007 at 8:39 am
[...] Related rant: Is that #3 in there?! [...]
August 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I’m outraged. I think you look frickin’ fantastic and as unpregnant as is possible.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Ugh. I can kind of relate (only I didn’t have the excuse of having had a baby already). Some woman I’d never met before walked up to me at work, put her hand on my belly, SHOOK IT, and goes, “is baby?”
>.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Gosh! People really don’t think before they speak.. especially old men.. you can change your shirt but he can’t change his face… remember that sweetness!
-Kate
Hulala Girls Gaming for a Green Planet!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 am
[...] but her dress really got me wondering… how can you tell the stylish and the pregnant apart? I’ve been asked myself so I would *never* advocate asking [...]