Pregnancy etiquette...

[moosmom]

And to think I THOUGHT I saw it all. That is until yesterday.

I was working the Customer Service desk yesterday at my job. A young woman, obviously pregnant, came up to exchange something. She had sweat pants on and a shirt. She had the shirt pulled up over her baby bump and her belly was totally exposed. EVERYONE was staring at her. You could tell that some people were say a little "uncomfortable" with her little "show". Somehow I think she was doing it for a reaction. I mean, how could you NOT stare at her humongous belly sticking out.

I haven't been pregnant in over 30 years, so I'm a little out of the loop when it comes to etiquette. Just want to get people's opinions on this delicate subject.

What do you think???

[Sirrahsim]

I think that being pregnant is the most natural thing in the world and it would be a sin to be ashamed of your "baby bump". I personally would not walk around BB&B with my pregnant belly hanging out but it wouldn't bother me to see it. Perhaps this is her first baby and she is just proud. When a woman is pregnant she thinks differently. Perhaps in her mind she thinks that everyone is as proud of her belly and as excited about her baby as she is. I know when I was pregnant I LOVED when someone *asked* to pat my belly or asked me questions about my baby. It may not even occur to her that someone might not want to see her pregnant belly.

Then again I don't understand why that would make anyone any more uncomfortable then seeing a girl baring her midriff or a guy walking around like a thug with his pants around his knees ???

[moosmom]

Great point, Missy.

Come to think about it, I lost count the number of times I've seen "buttcracks" because of the new fashion statement trying to be made.

[Miss Z]

I personally wouldn't like to see it; stretched, veiny skin - ugh, no thanks.

It's good that this women obviously is far from self-conscious, though, and I do admire her for that.

[K9soul]

I'm more old fashioned when it comes to things like this. I tend to think just because one isn't ashamed by some part of their body doesn't mean it's appropriate to leave it unclothed in public. It's like wearing shoes and shirt into businesses, it is just the appropriate thing to do. Different places and different situations should have different degrees of formality. A church generally one dresses nicer to go into, or remove your hat at the door. A fancy restaurant one generally dresses nicer and doesn't come in in grungy shorts and a T-shirt. A public place for shopping and so on, I feel someone should at least keep top and bottom mostly covered. That includes the 'butt cracks' of course . I don't think it's a matter of being ashamed or not, I just think it's taking into consideration the time and place you are at and the etiquette for that situation.

[moosmom]

I don't think it's a matter of being ashamed or not, I just think it's taking into consideration the time and place you are at and the etiquette for that situation

Thank you!! That's exactly what I was trying to say.

[animal_rescue]

I agree with Miss Z.
Stretchy, veiny skin tends to gross me out..

[NicoleLJ]

Personally I wouldn't do it. But I would not have a problem seeing it. Take being pregnant during the summer. You got way more hot when you are pregnant in the summer and staying cool is very hard to do when out in public. So I can totally understand some pregnant womem wanting to have a bare tummy at that time, though agian I would not do it.

But then I am very old fashoined. I will not breast feed in the open. I prefer to teach my children to take a bottle and breast feed. So if i have to go out then I pump ahead of time and can then feed with a bottle. I could never be one of those moms that just whips it out, with nothing covering them or the baby, and feed them. For me personally I just could never do that.

But back on bellys look at all the men with the beer bellies hanging out or completely shirtless out in public. To be honest I would rather see a pregnancy belly over a beer belly. lol
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[Catlady711]

I think that being pregnant is the most natural thing in the world and it would be a sin to be ashamed of your "baby bump".
Then again I don't understand why that would make anyone any more uncomfortable then seeing a girl baring her midriff or a guy walking around like a thug with his pants around his knees ???

I tend to agree with pregnancy being natural and a person should be ashamed of it. I do think etiquette for appropriate place and time for baring your belly should be considered. I also think their is a trend among some women that think a pregnant belly is sexy and I know their are some men that find that to be true. So it's possible the lady was a single mom trolling for a boyfriend or future hubby by showing her belly or just found it attractive to display, who knows?

I personally am uncomfortable with pregnant bellies showing in public, and non pregnant girls bare midriff and those kids (or plumbers) walking around with their pants around their knees showing their undies or parts of their butt I'd rather not see. I think it's not in good taste and should be covered but that's my own personal opinion.

[Scooter's Mom]

As someone who can't have kids for medical reasons, it would make me uncomfortable. I think about it all the time, having a pregnant belly shoved at me would not help. But that's just MY situation not others.

Another etiquette question...
My co-worker has a 3 year old daughter. She's pregnant with a boy, due in February. She's ranting about "Who is going to give me my shower?" I thought you only got 1 shower? Is it proper to have one for each pregnancy?

[CathyBogart]

I don't think it's something to be ashamed of, but I don't want to see it.

[Catlady711]

Another etiquette question...
My co-worker has a 3 year old daughter. She's pregnant with a boy, due in February. She's ranting about "Who is going to give me my shower?" I thought you only got 1 shower? Is it proper to have one for each pregnancy?

I know alot of people who have a shower for each pregnancy. Whether it's proper etiquite to have more than one is debatable I guess.

However someone walking around asking people to hold a shower for them is in poor taste in my opinion, kinda like asking 'hey one of you get something organzied so I can get free stuff ok?' It's just not acceptable in my book, but that's just me.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I am making this up but if I said..."I think having breasts is the most natural thing and I am very proud of my breasts. And do you know how hot my breasts get in the summer? So I am going to go shopping with my breasts bare."

Or a man says I think the most natural thing in the world, and something I am very proud of is my...........................

Or...buttocks or...whatever bits you want to name.

What's the difference?

I think some parts of the body are, in our culture covered. (and that goes for butt cracks too!)

[lizbud]

I think it's rude & crude to display yourself like that in public. The way
she dresses at home is her business but, it's not in public. She can be just
as proud (or whatever) in proper clothing. A lightweight summer top is just
as cool as exposed skin. IMO.

[cyber-sibes]

I personally am uncomfortable with pregnant bellies showing in public, and non pregnant girls bare midriff and those kids (or plumbers) walking around with their pants around their knees showing their undies or parts of their butt I'd rather not see. I think it's not in good taste and should be covered but that's my own personal opinion.

What she said!
I honestly don't get the current trend for skin-tight pregnancy clothes either , but at least it's covered.