Um, no. I'm actually not pregnant.

[PurpleyBlue]

I stopped in to visit my mom at her office and one of her co-workers came in to drop something off.  She says to my mom "Oh, she's such a cute pregnant person, but I sure am glad it's not me."  My mom just stared at her and said "It's not her either."  I felt like total crap.  The one think that consoled me was that my sister was pregnant, so I can only imagine that she knew my mom's daughter was pregnant and assumed it was me.  But still!  Obviously she thought I looked pregnant since she said I was a "cute pregnant person".  Argh...

[J.D.]

I have a very dear friend who has been in a similar situation - but not quite.  A (now former) friend began telling people that my friend was pregnant.  We live in a small town and go to an even smaller university, so this made things very awkward.  Additionally, my friend and her (then)boyfriend were not yet engaged, which caused people to look down on her further.  The worst part?  It's a fact she has shared with only her close friends, but she has a medical condition which greatly reduces her chances of becoming pregnant, and she wants nothing more than to eventually have children.  Unbeknownst to just about everyone else, she did actually have reason to believe that she was pregnant at that time, and was very happy at the thought - with her condition, the longer she goes without getting pregnant, the less likely it is, and every chance might be her last.  I can't even put into words how seething mad I was with this "friend" who did all the talking.

What makes people think that asking someone if they are pregnant or when they are due is a good idea?  I can't fathom it.  Also, Verloona Ti - I agree with your post 100%!  I can't imagine touching someone else without their permission, especially a stranger!  It boggles my mind.  It's also one thing I worry about in the even that I ever do have children - uninvited physical contact is a no-no with me; I may very well end up having my children in prison if someone were to touch me while I was pregnant. 

[Alida]

Anyone else ever had to fight the urge to ask that question of a bloke with a beer belly?

I didn't fight it.  I had put weight on and my uncle was teasing me about it.  So I leaned over, rubbed his belly and asked, "Buddah or baby?"

[ptcruzinkim]

One thing I absolutely hate is when people assume I am pregnant. I know I am chubby, OK? But I would rather be called fat than pregnant. But many times people have alluded to pregnancy when, in fact, I am not and never have been pregnant.

Once, when I was 12, I was babysitting my one-year-old niece. A lady walked up to me, patted my tummy, and asked, "When's it due?"

I swear, unless someone mentions a due date, I will NEVER assume pregnancy. Really, it's humiliating. Especially when you're young. Like 12.

So, Ehellions, ever made the mistake of thinking someone's pregnant? Or ever been called pregnant?

Edited for clarification.

Yep, Twice. Always asked when I'm expecting and I always give the stock answer of "Expecting what?" I've got a gut and like a lot of people wear baggy clothes because I hate things that cling. Luckily both instances happened years ago. 

[TheaterDiva1]

I was thinking about this incident the other day...

It was summer, and I was maybe a tad overweight - not "fat," but I could stand to lose some weight (esp. in the gut).  The dress I was wearing wasn't all that flattering, but I was running late that morning and didn't have time to change.  Anyway, the subway was crowded, so I was standing.  No problem here.  After a few stops, an older woman offered me her seat.  I thought that was odd, but I figured maybe she was getting of at the next stop.  Well, she didn't get off.  Then it hit me - she probably thought I was pregnant!  I was so embarrassed I got off at the next stop and waited for the next train.

[Clara Bow]

I was in the Walmart with my son when he was a baby. This man I knew from work (one of my customers) came up to me and said "When's the baby due?" I gave him a cold look and said "Six months ago" and indicated my son. Now I'm a fat girl, and I've been asked that question more than once, but when you're standing there with an INFANT!!!!

[Slartibartfast]

Okay, I'm creating a new line of maternity clothes.  They'll all have a joy buzzer hidden on the tummy area of the shirts, so when strangers pat you on the belly it goes "BZZZZZZT!" and it makes them jump back.  Then while they're still stunned speechless, you can give them a dressing-down about rudeness.

Anyone want to buy my new designs?  :-)

[freakyfemme]

Okay, I'm creating a new line of maternity clothes.  They'll all have a joy buzzer hidden on the tummy area of the shirts, so when strangers pat you on the belly it goes "BZZZZZZT!" and it makes them jump back.  Then while they're still stunned speechless, you can give them a dressing-down about rudeness.

Anyone want to buy my new designs?  :-)

Would the buzzer be detachable so you could put the clothes in the washing machine?

[NYGirl100]

Okay, I'm creating a new line of maternity clothes.  They'll all have a joy buzzer hidden on the tummy area of the shirts, so when strangers pat you on the belly it goes "BZZZZZZT!" and it makes them jump back.  Then while they're still stunned speechless, you can give them a dressing-down about rudeness.

Anyone want to buy my new designs?  :-)

YES PLEASE!  I need them now.  I can't count the number of times complete strangers come up to me and touch my belly WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING first.  And I'm actually pregnant. 

[Brentwood]

Okay, I'm creating a new line of maternity clothes.  They'll all have a joy buzzer hidden on the tummy area of the shirts, so when strangers pat you on the belly it goes "BZZZZZZT!" and it makes them jump back.  Then while they're still stunned speechless, you can give them a dressing-down about rudeness.

Anyone want to buy my new designs?  :-)

Put the buzzer on an elastic, adjustable belt the woman can wear under her shirts. It will sell like hotcakes!

[madmusician]

Okay, I'm creating a new line of maternity clothes.  They'll all have a joy buzzer hidden on the tummy area of the shirts, so when strangers pat you on the belly it goes "BZZZZZZT!" and it makes them jump back.  Then while they're still stunned speechless, you can give them a dressing-down about rudeness.

Anyone want to buy my new designs?  :-)

Put the buzzer on an elastic, adjustable belt the woman can wear under her shirts. It will sell like hotcakes!

I want one, just for all the people who think i AM pregnant when I'm NOT!!!!

[EvilAlice]

Who was it, Jeff Foxworthy or someone, who said they had learned their lesson and now "never refer to a woman as pregnant unless you actually see a baby coming out of her while you are talking!"

[WestAussieGirl]

So, Ehellions, ever made the mistake of thinking someone's pregnant? Or ever been called pregnant?

I've been getting it a lot lately and I'm starting to get a complex!  I'm naturally fairly slim, and don't have much of a tummy, but in the last few months I've gained a little weight, especially in my bust, and my face is definitely fuller.  Lately, people who know me well are eyeing my bust and asking if I'm pregnant.  I'm assuming it is partly because of the weight gain, and partly because I have a two-year-old so people think it is "about time".

I can honestly say that I have never noticed that someone else's bust size has increased when pregnant but apparently a lot of people (both men and women) are looking to that for a clue.

I have never, and would never, ask someone if they were pregnant (even if they looked ready to give birth at any moment) unless they mentioned it first.

[Rei-chan]

I've told this story before, but I can't remember if it was on the old board or this one, so forgive me if you've heard it. 

In 2005, I worked in the men's department at Dillard's.  I was down behind a display doing markdowns, when a newer employee asked me for help in ringing out a customer.  I stood up and pulled my shirt down slightly and as I walked up, he says:

Man:  When are you due?
Me:  Due for what?
Man:  You know, DUE.
Me:  FOR WHAT??

At this point, I think he realized that I am overweight and replies "You don't have to get snippy about it!"
I smiled and said "Well, how would you feel if I said that was a GREAT toupee you have on!" (He had a comb-over)

That shut him up quick and I went back to my markdowns.   

[ptcruzinkim]

I've told this story before, but I can't remember if it was on the old board or this one, so forgive me if you've heard it. 

In 2005, I worked in the men's department at Dillard's.  I was down behind a display doing markdowns, when a newer employee asked me for help in ringing out a customer.  I stood up and pulled my shirt down slightly and as I walked up, he says:

Man:  When are you due?
Me:  Due for what?
Man:  You know, DUE.
Me:  FOR WHAT??

At this point, I think he realized that I am overweight and replies "You don't have to get snippy about it!"
I smiled and said "Well, how would you feel if I said that was a GREAT toupee you have on!" (He had a comb-over)

That shut him up quick and I went back to my markdowns.   

Good for you. Sometimes people need their butts handed to them so they *get it* about inappropriate comments.