November 19, 2008 
While it would be nice to pretend that I don’t have an ounce of vanity in my bones, that would be lying. I am twenty weeks pregnant, and I know I’m showing. As I assume most expectant moms do, I revel in my baby bump. It’s disheartening and well, quite a blow to one’s self esteem when someone makes rude, candy coated, faux-caring comments (whether it’s done knowingly or not) regarding how pregnant you look.
What I don’t like is when people, usually those with whom you’re but slightly acquainted with, make comments like, “Oh wow, you’re showing already?” I think you know what I mean. When put down on paper (or typed as is in this case), it reads as a pretty harmless message. Read that line out loud to yourself though, and you’ll see that you kinda have to *practice* saying it a few different ways before you can make it come out of your mouth without sounding like a completely insensitive person.
“But you’re only 4 1/2 months! so-and-so didn’t start showing until she was at least 6 months.” I don’t even mind if someone made such a crass remark to me… in private. When something like that is flung in your quickly reddening face in a crowded ethnic food store, it’s hard to think of a witty comeback that won’t sting your appraiser and make you look like a completely emotional and hormone driven bitch. So you shrug, smile and walk away. And what the hell, my belly’s not weirdly large or anything like that. Plus, I think my OB with all his post-grad and medical education and medical experience would have said something to me.
Jeez, do you want to go back and say, “Ohh, I really don’t think you should be eating that, because I notice you’ve grown a muffin top. Maybe you should buy some bigger clothes?”
But {sigh} I’m a adult, and saying that would be rude and would do nothing to advance the good karma domino effect we (especially those who speak without thinking) should all be working for.
Technorati Tags: rude people, pregnancy, comments, hormones, annoying people
