How to politely respond to ...

lindsayp916

someone asking to (or not asking!) touch your stomach?

I don't have a huge bump yet, but I have already encountered several people asking to touch my bump. I'm just not comfortable with it and so far I was able to explain to my dear friends but I just had to grin and bear it with my husbands grandmother.

Any good responses so I can be prepared?!

OperaSingerMommy

At least they are asking first!  Maybe try saying something like, "Oh sorry, the baby is shy today!  Maybe another time!"  

I haven't had this happen yet... not looking forward to the awkwardness!

deanna1313

I have no problem with the majority of people touching my stomach. Family and friends are fine. If it's a stranger or man I'd be bothered though. Some girl I just met at a rehearsal dinner last night just touched it and then apologized and I told her it didn't bother me.

Second pregnancy and haven't had a stranger try yet, but I'll definitely tell them no. Just say that it makes you uncomfortable when people touch it.

Cupcakesandquilts

I don't think it's rude to just say it would make you uncomfortable.

katanasai

I had a woman in Walmart that I'd never met before try to touch my belly when I was pregnant with my second. I stepped back and smiled at her, and asked her if I could touch her belly. She didn't try again. Sometimes you have to make people feel the awkwardness to get them to stop!

MirandaC1984

Someone at work touched mine without asking and another co worker immediately said "you shouldn't do that without asking". I was so relieved someone else did it for me.

dramaphile

"Sorry, I just don't like being touched there" is a perfectly acceptable response.

If someone touches you without asking, I saw a awesome tip that you should touch their belly back and if they ask, say, "oh, I thought it was uninvited tummy-touching day!" Or just remove their hand, they'll get the hint.

Don't ever feel like you have to say nothing as to not be rude. People won't learn unless they are taught, and they'll just keep on with their unsolicited touching of pregnant women

deanna1313

My husband said if some random person did it with him around he was going to rub their stomach and say "how do you like it?!" Glad it never happened!

StephN310

It is so weird that a pregnant belly makes people think they can say anything to you and touch you. Yuck! I don't like people that I don't know really well touching me period. Let along caressing my belly! Grosses me out!!!

Krysta6

Sometimes I say "I'm being touched" very awkwardly! If a stranger asked I would just say no. It's a stranger so I don't need a reason. With family I allow and if they ask first I even thank them for asking (hoping positive reinforcement works on adults)

nsaid4u

Wow...you ladies are so much nicer than I am,lol. If i stranger tried to touch my belly my responce would be the same as if someone tried to touch me when I wasn't pregnant. "Dont fucking touch me! I dont know you!"

BBaires

I agree with @dramaphile, it's not rude to be straightforward and say no. Being overly accommodating when you're uncomfortable isn't the same as being nice and saying no doesn't make you mean.

bishopgn

I am not polite and have been known to say last pregnancy "do I rub your belly?"

Boonhilde

I think "Oh. No thank you. Feeling a bit queezy," or something would work. And it wouldn't be a lie because the THOUGHT of someone touching my belly makes me want to hurl. Or "Okay, but then I get to touch yours."

dchiapella

I just mention that I'm not a touchy feely person (even though I am) and I like my little bubble (okay, that much is true) but thank you so much for asking, and how much I appreciate that. 

a.traugott

I haven't run into this situation yet (my bump is not yet bigger than my fat roll, LOL), but I plan on saying something about how we all should have learned to keep our hands to ourselves back in Kindergarten.

I'm also making plans on what to say to people if anyone asks if my twins are 'natural'.

Carmofrap

Nobody tried to touch my bump with my son. lol. Except for my FIL at his wedding when I was maybe 12 weeks so my hip bones were sticking out farther than my stomach at that point and he was really drunk telling everyone he had another grandbaby in there and rubbing it. I accepted that drunk people are overly friendly. haha. But I have a hands off vibe anyway. I don't like people hugging and touching me and I think they can tell. I'm the person backing away if I'm talking to someone and they invade my 3 foot comfort zone. haha so it's pretty hard for them to get close enough anyway.