I’m nearing the end of a contract at the moment, and won’t be doing any contract work for a long time, if at all after baby number 2 is born. But at the current contract, I’ve formed a good relationship with several people, as you do.
But just imagine if mid-conversation or at the start of conversation I just went up to a woman and started rubbing her stomach? How strange would she think I was? Or breasts even – because, yes, that’s how personal I find it!
And how strange, irritating and violating do I find it when someone (especially a colleague at work, whom I haven’t even been out for lunch or drinks with…) feels they have the right to touch my stomach?!
Yes, there’s a baby in there – my baby, in my womb – and therefore is not out in the world yet and is sheltered from everyday life for a reason. So, what benefit do you think rubbing my stomach gives them? Or is this some subtle seductive move?
Are these people strange or just over-caring? I don’t know. But my gripe is, until you have been given permission to touch someone’s bump – don’t!
You’re not my husband, my GP, or my midwife – and even they give warning, or ask if they can just “feel, touch or examine you” before they come within half an inch of you. There must be a reason for that – respect, maybe…
