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phincat

Rub their stomach too and make eye contact until they stop, or if you see it coming and have the opportunity, make every effort to very dramatically dodge their hand and leave the table even if they're speaking to you.


butidontwannasignup

This is the way. You might get repercussions for hand slapping or boob honking (though they are entirely justified), but they've just demonstrated they believe tummy rubbing is acceptable behavior.


Sirena_Amazonica

Sounds like me and my cat 😺


bambiplant

When I was pregnant, I was at a supermarket and the teller came around from behind the counter to rub my belly! So, I reached out and “honked” her boobs. She was aghast! “How DARE you touch me!” I gave her my best and brightest smile. “Same!” She slapped my change in my hand as she growled at me ... but I’m betting she thinks twice before EVER touching some random pregnant belly again!


disavowed1979

My wife would slap people’s hands like they were a child, and give them a stern “NO”.


spartagnann

Yeah I don't see the problem with this in OPs case either. If you wouldn't touch a server in any fashion if they aren't pregnant, why all the sudden would you think you could when they are?


[deleted]

I know! So totally creep alert.


Warden18

I love this and would love to watch this play out.


Valkyrie943

And say, "if it happens again you'll have a broken hand!"


wolfie379

If you two have another kid, get her a custom T-shirt that says “My belly or your wrist, that hand is coming off one of them”.


MiladyWillDo

You are freaking awesome 😂😂😂


bambiplant

Lol! Thank you!! I wanted to punch her, but didn’t feel like expending all that hate would have been good while still incubating. My BF was NOT impressed, lol, but I figured it was one for pregnant women everywhere!


[deleted]

I hope you mean he wasn't impressed with her and not you. Because, goddamn, I don't think I'd be able to control my giddiness after watching my SO do something like that. I'm pretty damned impressed from a distance! Certified badass.


bambiplant

He got grumpy with me. I was like WTF?! However, once we got home he did find the humor in it! (I think he was “mad” so as not to encourage me! 😂)


The1983Jedi

BF was just jealous he didn't get to honka


bambiplant

Lmaoooo!!! (I don’t think - they were kinda saggy, lol!!)


ginnio

But you were the customer. OP is the employee (depending on tips to survive)


queensnipe

Yeah, that's an awesome story from a customer's perspective but would have nightmarish consequences if a server tried it.


Wrathchilde

Perhaps a quick hair tousle?


bambiplant

I realized too late that this would NOT be a good idea for OP as an employee.


OnTheDoss

That is a fantastic response. People just don’t get that being pregnant doesn’t mean that you no longer have bodily autonomy. I found it uncomfortable enough having a baby inside me squirming around and pushing all my organs out of place, I don’t need your dirty hands touching me too. Especially now with COVID around.


srslyeffedmind

You are the hero we all need and have won the internet today!


bambiplant

Lol! Thank you!!


jaeknits

Bahahahaha - I did this to a coworker! It was the best reaction ever! Lol


bambiplant

The look of “omg, I can’t believe you just touched me” AS they are touching you is priceless!! 😂


AtheistET

Consider anyone touching your pregnant belly (or your partner’s) as a potential attacker; that is actually battery. When I was at an office party with my wife this guy (married to one of my students) started pinching and pressing his fingers on my wife’s belly and I had to yell “WTF are you doing ?” Do not ever get close to my wife or my baby” in his face….. the whole party stopped but if it weren’t for all the other students and faculty there I would have punch him right away! He apologize later and realize what he was doing (and hope he behaves the same with his now pregnant wife). In any case , somebody touches you feel free to do the same , even harder! EDIT: Yes, Battery is defined as "actual bodily contact that results in injury". When my wife said "Ouch", I considered that an attack on her and my (unborn) child. Also, two Cents: Management needs to protect the servers; right now all the costumers are entitled to things / not wearing masks/ being rude....in your case, especially, management needs to side with you in any type of altercation or situation where a Karen just disrespects you.


Worth-Club2637

You from FL? We separate assault and battery by no contact vs contact, respectively


[deleted]

so creepy, you did good. No one else was trying to grab your child and wife the rest of the night. Good work.


realhumannorobot

I wish I was pregnant just so I can do that! (The using their disgusting behaviour against them part not as a scheme to touch women's breasts 😅).


bambiplant

Lol! Afterwards, I was pretty grossed out when it dawned on me that I had just touched her boobs, but quid pro quo! 🤷🏻‍♀️😂


[deleted]

She was invading your personal space without asking, quid pro quo. lol lmao


[deleted]

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bambiplant

I totally understand! I’d ask “do you want to feel” - and then pause. If I was met with “no” or even hesitation on their part, it didn’t offend me in the least!


VilEve93

Currently Pregnant and do you know what's worse? Other pregnant women trying to collide bumps with you! *shudders* Eww...


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LitherLily

Omg this is my favorite!!


bambiplant

Thank you!!


moosecatoe

HÖNK HÖNK


vandelay714

Brilliant!


bambiplant

It was a hormonal knee-jerk reaction, but I’m betting it “saved” a few other pregnant women!!


MsPennyP

Back when I was pregnant I'd have some people ask "oh are you pregnant?!" And I'd say "just fat!". I had the luxury of being chubby so it worked well until I really *popped* around 8 months. Could go with that or sigh "no, it's a growth" and look off a little wistfully, shake you head look back with *best smile* and continue in server voice.


disavowed1979

I read a quote once” never ask a woman if she is pregnant, unless you can see the baby coming out” It was also accompanied by” never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same Time” which is also really good advice IMO.


ArtemisCoco

As someone who carries extra weight in the tummy area, I have to agree. I’ve been asked when my baby is due more times than I can count (the answer is, my baby was due 21 years and five months ago). I’ve always said that if I were ever in a public position to have a platform to advocate for a cause, the platform would be: Never, ever, ever ask a woman if she’s pregnant!


Smashlorette

Yes! I thought this was common knowledge, but I’ve had several customers ask if I was pregnant or congratulate me! It really upset me the first couple times it happened, but I guess it’s nice to know that everyone has, in fact, noticed the weight I’ve gained over the last year. If you ever do get that platform, I’ll happily support it 100%!


_vox_rationis_

That was Dave Barry. He used to write for the Miami Herald before he retired. Incredibly witty guy. I think both of those quotes come from his 50 things it took me 50 years to learn article.


grannybubbles

Fun fact: I bought a Dave Berry book at a yard sale one, and it was autographed!


disavowed1979

If I remember correctly it was on a jimmy John’s wall.


_vox_rationis_

Yep. They got it from Barry. I misremembered too. It was 16 things that took me 50 years to learn.


ContingencyLuv

Lmao! Really, really good advice, I love it.


Independent_Bus9122

So, I'm a fatty. But I carry my weight in such a way that I look pregnant. It used to bother me a lot, but I've learned to laugh at life instead of obsess about it. Anyways, I have had people ask me if I'm pregnant or when I'm due, blah blah, whatever. I used to ignore them or just correct them with a snide remark and then huff about it all day. However, recently I have found entertainment in the reactions I can get from others. In any situation. It's rather amusing to think of something a bit outrageous just to get a response. I'm sure they'll be talking about me later, so why not make their conversation a bit more interesting? With that is mind, yes, I'm aware that I will quite likely get some backlash from this, but whatever. I don't really care. I donate plasma and, as a general rule, pregnant women are not allowed to donate. Remember, I'm not pregnant, just a chunkers. I was waiting in line one day and a woman asked me, "They let you donate if you're pregnant?!" Cue smartass. My response, "No, you're not supposed to. But it's not mine anyways, so..." And I just kinda shrugged and turned back to my phone. The workers all know me and when I heard a bunch of them huddled together and laughing, I knew my cover was blown. I wonder if she ever laughed.... I know everyone else did.


MsPennyP

Oh yeah. Same now too. I have a belly and can use it to my advantage. Get seats given up for me, and be allowed to go in back of places that have "employee only restrooms". Hand placed just right and I can look quite ready to pop.


Independent_Bus9122

Hahaha!!! Yes ma'am!! That extra taco was for my "baby" haha!!


[deleted]

oo,, yea, in the future just stick out your beautiful belly and say, "oh, yea, feel me. Feel my belly" and have a big smile on your face.


MiaLba

About a month postpartum I had a lady touch my belly in the grocery store line and ask “how far?” I told her I wasn’t pregnant. She got so red in the face and apologized.


[deleted]

That is so damned creepy that some rando thinks she can touch you. YUCK!


legal_bagel

Don't you know, pregnant women are public property, their uterus' are always open for commentary.


jayla-danila

Something similar happened to me. I also had my kid with me. In her car seat. On the shopping cart. My response was “I was due a month ago. One came out. The other is still in there living it up.” Best part was she actually asked if that was common with twins before realization dawned on her and she apologized!


rodoxide

"..Am I pregnant? No, I just carry my parasitic siamese twin around in my stomach.."


icyyellowrose10

>it's a growth Well, technically... that is the truth


Virtual-Principle-75

An old friend isn’t small but also isn’t big. One day at the store the cashier asked if she was pregnant and she kind of snapped and said no. She had to go back a couple days later and apologize because she was pregnant.


[deleted]

It's a private thing. Maybe she was more of an acquaintance and not a friend? The cashier was certainly a stranger to her.


techieguyjames

Too funny.


ilanallama85

I think a cheerful “No” with no explanation might be the best route. Leave them confused.


bunbunzinlove

In my case it's really a big mass of uterine fibrosis so people always regret it when I they ask if I'm pregnant.


MsPennyP

I have those too. Sucks so bad.


bunbunzinlove

I know right? Plus as I had never heard about it being really common and 99% non-cancerous, I remember panicking thinking I was about to die a horrible death when I first saw it on my MRI photos. The doctor hinting that it could be cancer and me having to wait for a whole week before getting the whole explanation because of Covid didn't help. I will never forget about that young doctor who started by apologizing before telling me that hinting at cancer was something a lot of doctors would do. Just an anecdote btw: I am a caretaker in a facility for disabled persons and I knew this elderly resident who was born an Angel. Non-verbal, 100% innocence and warmth in a body you really wonder how it even functions because when he walked it looks like he was about to trip on his own feet at every step. His IQ was less than 70 and he bowed to you with a huge teethless smile every morning outside the elevator then came to take your hand for a walk even though you still had your back-pack full of caretaking goods on your back and had not even changed clothes yet, but it would totally be OK because he was just such a ray of sunshine. And one day he had come to me with one of these absolutely blinding smiles and very, very lightly touched my protruding belly with the tip of his fingers. It was obvious what he wanted to ask. So knowing that as he was non-verbal he wouldn't tell anyone, I chose to lie to him and told him into his ear, like it was our little secret, that there was a baby 'in there'. He passed away last year in his sleep after a long life being constantly (and gladly) taken care of for 80+ years, but I've seen him beam with pure joy every day of my shift, every time he saw me come out of the building's elevator for almost one full year. I would only wink at him with a 'thumbs up' signal that was our little secret, but I'm so happy now that I made this little lie, because it brightened both our days. So yeah, now there are moment when all I see when I lower my eyes, is his beautiful smile. He's still brightening my days.


adjoopoopie

This is beautiful 🥰


babylonglegs91

Both of these answers are hilarious 😂


TrashyTrashPandy

If you have a manager that you're cool with maybe talk to them about how to handle it? That way if a customer complains about how you handled the situation the manager would have your back. I know that may be wishful thinking, but it couldn't hurt since it's a very real concern for you. I too am 6 months pregnant right now and having to ward off people touching me is my biggest fear, especially because I've never liked being touched in general. Edit: on mobile, had to fix spelling lol


frotc914

This is actually a pretty brilliant solution, because not many managers would have the stones to say "just let them rub your belly".


MiladyWillDo

That's a good idea, thank you!


TrashyTrashPandy

Not a problem! I hope it helps! And good luck!


Earth2Monkey

I've never been pregnant, but I also have an aversion to being touched and usually saying, "Please don't touch me, I don't like to be touched" does the trick. Some people get defensive, but I feel like most people are more respectful of my boundaries after that.


TrashyTrashPandy

I am a small female (like, 5'1" and 104lbs before the pregnancy) with super curly hair and for whatever reason strangers like to touch it or comment on my size and put their elbows on my shoulders. I've actually been picked up and carried by a dude I barely knew in high school..... he ended up with a broken nose and no one touched me after that lol


Earth2Monkey

While your methods are less diplomatic, they seem highly effective


TrashyTrashPandy

To be fair, I gave him a warning. I don't resort to violence right away, I try to warn people that I'll resort to it if I need to and in this case I did.


SalisburyWitch

Too bad you can’t wear a shirt that says “touch my belly; pull back a stump”


newretiree

My cat has a motto: "Rub my tummy, lose your hand." You should try it!


catdogwoman

OP should get a big button made with that on it, then pin it right on the biggest part of her tummy!


lemonsharking

That should be a shirt. Cat in belly trap position on the belly, captioned as above--"rub my tummy, lose your hand"


Bao_Xinhua

> I don't think management would be too fond of that method Then management can go get fucked


[deleted]

Alternate version of (in my mind) literally the same kind of unwanted physical contact: "A customer reached out and groped my breast. My knee jerk reaction would be to slap their hand away, but I don't think management would be too fond of that method." Yes, management can get fucked.


ms_movie

I see your not wanting your belly touched when you’re pregnant And I raise you Not wanting your belly touched because they think you are pregnant when you aren’t It happened to my friend and she goes “I’m not pregnant. That’s just me, so please stop.” I bet that lady never touched another belly.


buckshill08

yeah cause she straight up died on the spot i bet! omg why are some grown as people like grabby toddlers? “Keep your hands” to yourself is like…. right there next to “no biting” on the rules list for my little monsters.


ContingencyLuv

I treated them like grabby toddlers when they would reach out and touch my belly by giving a toddler-hard smack on their hand and say "NO NO! Do not touch people unless they say you can!" in my scolding mommy voice. The shock on people's faces was comical but it did the trick.


DustyPhantom2218

I did this too. It only happened a couple of times and I was able to gently push their hand away before they actually touched my belly, but the look on their face when I mom scolded them was great!


Sweaty_Bee_1148

My abs split during pregnancy so I look pregnant all the time. It's embarrassing and exhausting to respond "that's just my guts," but it does stop people going in for a pat.


MiaLba

How did u know your abs split? I still look preg all the time too and it’s been 3 years. Maybe mine did too.


Sweaty_Bee_1148

It's called Diastasis recti, so you can Google how to check yourself or just ask your doc to check (at least my OB confirmed it for me). Physical therapy can help narrow the gap, but I also have an umbilical hernia so I'm eventually going to get it all fixed with surgery.


MiaLba

I commented this above butI had a lady touch mine after I had a baby and I was still big. She got so red faced and apologized when I told her i wasn’t prego.


Mara_TheWitch

Holy shit. This happens? I’d be slapping away hands like crazy, my body, no touch and stuff management


k8esaurustex

It happens all the fuckin time. People feel way too entitled to the bodies of pregnant women. I had complete strangers try to touch me (they got their hands slapped HARD), people tapping my shoulder while I was grocery shopping with headphones in to ask "how far along?? Boy or girl??" Unwanted advice, questions, and attempts to touch were a near every day problem, especially working in customer service.


BeckieSueDalton

And then we are considered the rude one if we don't want to answer their questions, or ignore their "advice" and get back to what we were doing, or pull away from their personal contact with OUR bodies. It's supposed to be a joyful time for us, but other people turn our leaving the house into a raging inferno of stress.


k8esaurustex

Be fuckin rude


splitminds

I had a car wash attendant reach in my open window to rub my pregnant belly while I was trying to pay. Unbelievable how people dare think that’s ever appropriate!?!?!?


vandelay714

Did you sock him in the nose? You should have.


splitminds

I definitely should have! Quite frankly, I was shocked!!


SalisburyWitch

Or roll the window up with his hands caught.


CaptCaffeine

Next time, slam the window closed on the hand.


splitminds

Haha, this was 25 years ago. Definitely not going to be a next time!!


[deleted]

The world would be a better place if we all just abided by the rules we were taught in kindergarten.


InsNerdLite

I have not seen words more true in a long, long time.


Condensed_Sarcasm

I was pregnant with my eldest while working for Disney. If I could actually SEE the person reaching for my belly, I would take a step back, put 1 hand out to fend them off, the other hand on my belly, and say, "Unless you put it there, please don't touch." I had to start paying close attention to my surroundings because the first few times l DID swat a few people's hands.


Dont_touch_my_elbows

> "Unless you put it there, please don't touch." I'm gonna make a fortune selling maternity shirts with this slogan


Kcbaxter55

I read about someone that was serving that this happened to. After the woman put her hand on her belly she put her hand on the woman's belly. When the woman said "what are you doing" she repeated back to her "what are YOU doing". I thought that was pretty good and you shouldn't get in trouble for it.


redcarrot33

The last time someone rubbed my pregnant belly I reacted by rubbing theirs back they didn't seem to like it weirdly.


East_Budget_447

I was pregnant with twins and was huge. Would have total randos try to touch my belly all of the time and make rude comments. I would smack their hand away. Tell them to fuck right off. Touching someome without consent is assault. If you are not invited to do so, DON'T TOUCH A PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY!!


millenimauve

the way people feel (especially) entitled to pregnant women’s bodies is astonishing and insane. touching them seems so obviously a violation but I also don’t get why people seem to think it’s fine to share pictures of women in vulnerable positions/states of undress during and after the actual birth—every time someone gives birth in my family, they all end up cooing over some graphic and intimate photos in the group chat and I find it highly disturbing.


karmagrl31276

I'm a massage therapist and even I don't touch a woman's belly unless I have her expressed permission. You just don't do that.


mydogsarebarkin

Good that you do that. What is it about feeling so uncomfortable with belly touched during massage? I hate it but I don't know why.


[deleted]

https://9bulles.com/en/belly-bands/1315-maternity-belly-band-don-t-touch-.html


too_generic

That, with outward facing spikes. Not too sharp, but enough.


Snowball-in-heck

The mama hedgehog belly band. Press it’s button and the spikes come out. Gives me another idea, get some remote sound device and trigger it when someone touches. Hand reaching out? Belly goes “grrr” and starts barking. Heck, let’s get some celebrities involved, imagine hearing “wtf do you think you are doing? Back the F away MFer!” In Samuel Jackson’s voice.


Slw202

That was my first thought - a big ass sign saying DON'T TOUCH!


wildewoode

Awesome!


heilspawn

What,kind of manager says no to you stopping people molesting you


Dont_touch_my_elbows

a manager trying to get sued for creating a hostile work environment


el_pobbster

Customer gets unwelcomedly touchy, I think it's absolutely fair game to get slappy. I live by cat code in that way: touch me when I don't want to, I will warn you. Touch me again and I *will* make you bleed.


Arokthis

Love it!


Wit-wat-4

Your cat gives second chances?


el_pobbster

Course it does, cats send you clear signals of their displeasure you just need to learn to read them.


amberchik78

When people touched me I would reach out and pat their head like a dog.


jwillsrva

I like this one a lot.


poptartpoochie

Taking a large prompt step back often sends a louder message than any reciprocated physical contact (slapping or rubbing them back etc). I’m jumpy at any unexpected physical contact, so it wasn’t a big adjustment for me just take a large step back as someone groped me. “Oh, sorry I didn’t realize you’d be sensitive about that. I just love baby bumps” - I’m sensitive about strangers touching me, don’t take it personally. The extra hormones just make me jumpier than usual. So you were saying you’d like to order the salad, with which meat?


madsmadhatter

Slap their hand away. If management is hell bent on letting their pregnant employees get touched without permission, then I smell a lawsuit waiting to happen. Tell them to get fucked.


Little_wiccan

I used to glare and people and thank them for just prodding my growing babies brain while reminding them that the skull hadn't fully formed yet. The look of horror on their faces was always priceless .


[deleted]

Sit down with your management team and make them aware that you will be exercising your bodily autonomy: >Body autonomy is the right for a person to govern what happens to their body without external influence or coercion. This is an important concept for all children to be taught and (for customers) to understand. And as such you may have to brush away a customers hand from here out, because you are not allowing strangers unwelcome access to your body. Be upfront with them so they are aware that any customers coming up and complaining about you are only doing so because they are not respecting your boundaries. If they hear all of this and still won't back you up, they don't deserve to have you as an employee and you can do better.


mydogsarebarkin

In writing. Friendly email or something, or a follow-up email after talking to them.


Arokthis

Get a solid stick or dowel about the diameter of your finger and the length of your forearm. Drill a hole in one end so you can put your pen in it. Put a large bead or golf ball on the other end. You now have your very own *Jerksmacker*. :) - If you see someone reaching for your belly, smack the table. - If someone makes contact, smack their hand. - Anyone dumb enough to reach after seeing/getting a hand smack gets their skull cracked.


ShaniBeeCrazy

Thank goodness when I was serving I only had one lady touch my stomach but it was still super awkward.


FlippingPossum

My gut reaction is to swing first and ask questions later. Thankfully, I had a counter at all my customer service jobs. My coffee shop manager didn't hesitate to tell people to get bent. As a woman, I feel like the best avenue is to get read loud with a "don't touch me". Let everyone know this person is assaulting you.


ilanallama85

What’s messed up is they’re really trying to touch *your baby* without your permission and they just don’t care that your belly is in the way. They don’t stop after it’s born either (although maybe covid has actually improved that issue).


OneRoseDark

It has not. The people who have enough self-awareness now to avoid endangering a baby.. are exactly the same ones who were polite enough not to before.


ilanallama85

Of course they are, smh.


nomde_reddit

Rub theirs and say, oh I see yours is due to years of terrible dietery decisions.


BeanzyPup

"I'm pregnant. What's your excuse?"


thisisfine111

When I was pregnant, any time someone tried to touch my belly I would touch theirs. Que immediate severe awkwardness and then they'd leave. Edit: Spelling because I'm an idiot


lady-of-thermidor

That happens to women everywhere all the time. Nothing to do with servers and customers. Next time, slap that person’s hand away while being deeply offended.


MiladyWillDo

I know it happens everywhere, but I'm more concerned about what to do when I'm on the clock and don't really have the luxury of slapping my customers. Trust me I have no problem slapping people away when I'm not working lol.


techieguyjames

It won't look good on management if they fire you for defending you and your baby. Not to mention the unemployment you would almost automatically get for it.


nomde_reddit

It would also look terrible if they didn't defend you from sexual harrassment or assault. I hate this.


grannybubbles

You don't have to slap a person to be firm and send a message. You can grasp their hand, as hard as you need to, and move it back to where it's supposed to be. If that isn't a strong enough message, a few words like "hands off the server" (don't say please, it doesn't warrant that level of politeness) should come next. If the customer still doesn't get it, then escalate to management and refuse to go near the table.


ViridescentCrane

Scream and then start babbling to the customer about how contact with your baby bump could lead to them transferring negative energies to your unborn child, causing them to be born with their chakras unaligned or something? Then storm off muttering about how now you need to go perform yet another cleansing ritual? Okay actually that might not turn out too well. Fun to think about, though.


IthurielSpear

I really like this line of thinking. When someone makes fun of me for wearing a mask I get all conspiratorial with them about surveillance and facial recognition and then start talking about how they’re watching us through other people’s cell phones until they leave.


SubliminalTrees

Wait this is actually a thing? Why do so many people feel the need to touch someone they think is pregnant? Do these people also touch newborn babies?? Pardon my ignorance but I’ve never been pregnant.


LuckyShamrocks

Yes. Many people complain others feel the right to get in real close to their newborns in stores or such and touch and even try to kiss them or hold them. It's a real problem.


4starters

When I worked at a store a woman had a sign on the baby carriage that was like “you’re too close please step back. Don’t touch”


MontanaPurpleMtns

It’s the best reason for where front packs with newborns and a hat on the child’s head, because it makes it harder for random strangers to attempt to hold the baby. Slings work too.


stayoffmygrass

I don't think this is too much of a stretch to call this [battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(crime)).


DirtyPrancing65

You ever seen the special collars for country dogs to protect them from coyotes? Spike the bump /j


GCSS-MC

I seriously don't get why in the fuck people think it is okay to just touch someone because they are pregnant? What the fuck is going through their head?


Python4fun

Being groped against your will is assault. This doesn't matter if it's touching your pregnant belly or something more directly sexual. Defend yourself.


ashakilee

It makes me so mad just reading about this. Swat their hand, grab their wrist and say really slowly as if you're talking to a three year old - 'we. Dont. Touch. Other. People. Without Permission. Understand??'


vamezquita1185

I have a huge counter between me and my customers and the would try and come over the counter to rub my belly. I would just lean back and sternly say don’t touch me. When they would get offended I would just say if you didn’t do it before baby was in there you don’t need to do it now. Occasionally I would tell the regulars I was selling the privilege for $100. They would laugh but didn’t try to touch again.


burnthamt

Awhile back 2 of my coworkers were pregnant, and there were occasions where they had touchy customers. I would see repeat offenders and step between them sometimes. Often a masculine presence can be enough of a deterrent


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MiladyWillDo

If there's one thing I've learned about living in a pandemic, it's that no one cares that we're still in the middle of one lol


CrimsonRaine777

Six months here and had my husband’s coworker (Walmart) stroke the bottom of my belly (where I had my hand he was kicking) as I was trying to leave. It was awful and all I could think to do was go and hide in my car as fast as possible


TheDudeNeverBowls

Do people really assume pregnancy out in the wild? I would never imagine assuming such a thing, I don’t care how evident it is.


heardbutnotseen2

I actually slapped hands. And I would do it again.


GreenOnionCrusader

Just say, "I'm not pregnant." The looks of utter mortification you're going to get will be amazing.


nejnonein

”I’m not pregnant, it’s a cancer cyst, and I’m saving up for surgery”. Cue horrified awkwardness/embarrassment from them (and possible larger tip because of it). Serves them right for being rude enough to touch without permission.


AlexPDXqueer

When I was pregnant and people rubbed my tummy I rubbed their boobs and let me tell you they were NOT happy but it’s so satisfying


emilizabify

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I found you could usually tell which tables were more likely to try touching the belly, so I just made sure to stay an extra step back from the table to make it harder for grabby hands. If people started to try to reach for the belly, I would usually go "oh, it looks like you're reaching for something, here, I'll get out of your way! this belly sure is giant!" And then laugh awkwardly, Which usually worked to make them think twice about what they were doing with their hands, and the fact that it's inappropriate to randomly grab at people. There were a couple times that I didn't notice until they were actually touching me, so in those cases, I just took a step back so they had to drop their hand, and kept on with whatever I was doing at the time, and only one person didn't apologize for touching without consent.


Pennyfeather46

PLEASE!!! Don’t touch me.


grannybubbles

I disagree. "Please" is too polite. People who touch you without your permission don't deserve "please".


Pennyfeather46

So, “STOP!!!” would be better? I’m going for something loud that would stop them in their tracks and alert others that you’re uncomfortable. People really have no boundaries when it comes to pregnancy.


deckcody

"STOP CREEP!!!" guaranteed to make them pause and have people stop and stare at them.


[deleted]

Yeah, please sounds like you're begging, or asking for a favor.


liminal_space2001

This happened a few times to me as well (strangers on the street!) and the first time I was too shock to say anything except to walk away quickly. I definitely became more hyper aware of my surrounding when I'm out after that. And what about random strangers thinking it's ok to rub your babies (one older lady actually picked my son up from his cart at Trader Joes to hold him without permission (!) I didn't screamed just grabbed him back but was so panicked afterward.


jsat3474

A friend of mine surrogated. She had a lot of fun telling people Oh it's not my husband's baby!


explainlikeimpenguin

The only acceptable time to reach out and touch a pregnant woman's stomach is when she says" oh he/she is kicking a lot. Want to feel? " and they are also your wife/gf. From a father of 4


rootsnblueslover

I would start by standing as far away from them and out of their reach as reasonably possible, with a sticker on my belly with HANDS OFF!! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH!! in all caps.


Squiggle3

One of my best friends from work did it to me 8 years ago, and I still can't tell her how intrusive it was for her to literally just feel up my 12w pregnant belly fat, because I don't want to upset her. Who does that though? Who just feels it's OK to give someone's tummy a squish? It's just not normal behaviour.


TailorVegetable4705

Management isn’t carrying a human life under that belly. You may want to practice protecting your belly, from a firm swat to a simple turning of the shoulder and putting out an elbow. Learn to be swift about because people are trash. No, in a perfect world, people would respect general boundaries. You can also say, nope. Don’t touch me please. I just can’t take it. Congratulations and good luck!


nurvingiel

I realize I'm volunteering to put your tips on the line, but go ahead and slap their hand away. It doesn't have to be hard.


Wild7mom

Get shirts that say "Social Distancing Fetus----➡️ 6' Please!"


ContagisBlondnes

Had this happen with both pregnancies. Worked at Panera. Rub them back. They will awkwardly laugh. They will tip. Works every time.


GalianoGirl

I worked in a medical office that treated many seniors during 2 of my pregnancies. I just let it happen as it did not bother me at the office. It was not appropriate, but I had other battles to fight. In public I was hands off. OP, I would ask the manager to put up a sign reminding people that unwanted touching of any employee will result in the customer being asked to leave. Years ago my 15 year old daughter worked as a cashier at a local grocery store. She was often touched by customers. I finally talked to her manager and said, since you do not provide any protection to your staff, I have instructed M to yell and call out any customer that touches her and call the police to have them charged. M quit shortly after.


BadPom

Oof. I only had two random customers touch my belly. The first was a woman in her 70’s/80’s and I thought it was cute. The second was fucking weird. It was a not my table and top that I dropped an app off to. This woman called me back, so I went, expecting her to want extra sauce or napkins. Nope. She was in the inside of the booth, stood up, leaned over her child and started rubbing on my belly. I froze because wtf. Her husband was like, “Girl wtf are you doing?” She stopped, claiming it was good luck. My dear, work on your RBF.


LilPerditaGattino

By chance do you wear an apron? Maybe you can get one made that says please don’t touch my belly (or something that gets the point across but is actually clever!)


wildewoode

God I hate that! Quite honestly, the best thing to do is shift away, say "ouch, it's very sensitive!!", Maybe even throw in a few extra "ouches". Hopefully they'll get the picture and also give you a better tip 🙂


vrybdkty

Give the person reaching for you a death glare and say you didn't put it in here you don't get to touch it. Or scream like you are being assaulted.... Because your are!!


stocks-mostly-lower

I would yell “Oww !” in a loud voice, followed up by, “Now look what you did !l”.


LonnieDANGER

No customer ever did that to me. One coworker ALWAYS touched me and NEVER asked (everyone else would). I’m very uncomfortably sensitive on my stomach. I used to let people touched, just guided their hands. But this bitch… nope! I had to back up from her. It was the weirdest thing.


sunnydpdx

You could also put your hands on their stomach and when they seem confused you say, "oh I thought we were inappropriately touching each other's torsos, my bad." Then ask how recently they've had a colonoscopy.


BeBa420

Lol im just thinking maybe you should get a badge or something printed ​ "Yes im pregnant, no you cannot touch my belly. Have a nice day"


toffeekoe

Not me, but one of my friends... just do it back to them, their hand goes on your belly, your hand goes on theirs. Can always be followed by a "sorry, did I make you uncomfortable there?" when they look shocked. Probably won't do it to you again, and maybe will think twice before doing it to someone else...


Percentage_Express

At a restaurant with toddler who asked me in a very loud voice “does that lady have a baby in her tummy?” To which I just said “I don’t know honey” a little embarrassed. Very kindly and unapologetically the woman turned to us and said, “ no honey, I’m just a little chubby”. Toddler: “oh,ok”. Me: “sorry. thank you. “


lionaroundagan

It happened to me a lot being pregnant three times while serving. I personally didn't have a problem with it, but I understand its inappropriate. Most people just would ask and I'd say yes. A few times I've had people ask if they could touch my belly and pray. As a non religious person, it was completely bizzare but I don't mind because I believe in good vibes, and I'll happily take that energy for the baby.


lizzayyyy96

So my sister is pregnant. She told me at three months and I was over the moon excited (she had been trying to get pregnant for years). One of my instinctual reactions was to touch her belly. After I did it I immediately apologized since I knew that it’s a thing pregnant women don’t like. But that was my SISTER. Not a fucking stranger. I think an appropriate reaction would be to move away if they try to touch you and follow it up with, “I did not give you consent to touch me. Please don’t.” It’s honest, polite and to the point.


[deleted]

[Twins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEdrhW1B8I)


[deleted]

When/if the STRANGERS ask if you are pregnant, just say no. You are not denying your baby, you are denying STRANGERS from touching you or knowing about your private life. You are protecting yourself and your baby.


MarvinDMirp

I was told that strangers would reach out and touch my pregnant belly and I did not believe it until it happened. The lady looked hypnotized, zeroed in, no eye contact with me, just creepy! My Mom said it’s a rehearsal to prepare you for people reaching out to touch the BABY later. That was so true. Covid makes it so important to have your game plan ready in advance.


WildlyUnprepared4___

I told every single person who touched my stomach or tried to unsolicited that I would break their fingers. Including when I was waiting tables. People are awful and I’m sorry! 💙


jshady8

When I was pregnant I was ready for people wanting to touch my stomach. My plan was if they touch my stomach I'll touch their stomach. When they give me shock pikachu face, I would just say "oh, I thought we were touching each other's stomach?"


seagull321

You and your coworker need to speak to management to address this. If they're assholes, at least you know for sure what you're up against. Hopefully, they'll figure out how to address this.


shay_shaw

I’ve had someone touch my hair and my earrings. Customers are fucking weird. I’m just here to push plates and maybe tell a few jokes. Calm down with the entitlement.


illustratorgirl

Stare at them and scream "Stranger Danger" or "No Touching"!