Joys of open-plan offices

[thekumquat]

Everyone was working in a muggy haze this morning, until I woke them all up by screaming really loudly.
Woman came over to talk to me and without my seeing reached out and put her hand on my tummy.
Cue "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU'VE GOT COLD FINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Usually-sensible woman: "What? I didn't hurt him! He probably likes being

Comments

[lovelybug]

Gah!

[julietk]

How TF can anyone thinking that touching your stomach without permission is appropriate? I gather that a lot of people *do* treat pregnant women like this, but I find it absolutely baffling (in a "what is going on in their brains?" way).

Gah!

[thekumquat]

I was surprised a) that it came from a usually sensible woman, b) who's had kids herself, and c) really isn't normally the touchy-feely type. And d) that she then tried to argue! Yes, touching someone on the arm can be normal workplace behaviour. Rubbing someone's tummy? So not.

I've been tempted to see if I can get some sort of bumpcushion just to stop it hurting when I walk into things, but would have the side-effect of protecting me from such people!

Still, I think the whole rest of the floor (and possibly two floors below) got the message...

Actually, the lifts are slow enough as it is, so I guess she's saved that fate.

[aster13]

Don't resist the urge to push her down the lift shaft! Grr.

*grins* at the "not a raincover" comment

[wolfpeach]

Not sure what it is about being pregnant, but some people seem to think that it gives them licence to touch you without your consent, as if a belly carrying a baby suddenly becomes public domain. I've noticed something similar with guys in skirts or dresses...

[ciphergoth]

A mistake that so far no-one has made with me twice.

[lilitufire]

What makes usually sensible people do that? FFS.

Set her a Development Objective - it will be good for her :)