A Stranger Made Me Cry
Today we shopped for a birthday present at the Waldorf Children’s Store. As I paid for my purchase, the woman ringing me up asked, “When are you due?”
I smiled and said, “February.”
“Oh my,” she said, as her face registered shock. “Well, the second can get really big really fast. This is your second?”
I was no longer smiling. “Yes, my second.”
“Or…” she paused and looked at me hopefully, “Are you having twins?” She whispered the word “twins.”
“No. I’m not having twins,” I replied, not looking at her. “And thank you for commenting on my size.” I turned away feeling shamed and embarrassed.
She squeeked but didn’t respond with any real words. Maybe I heard an “Oh … I …” Not sure. I walked away, and left the store even though Ian and Lucas were still inside. I think I managed to call to them as I started crying. Sobbing, actually.
People are so thoughtless and cruel. Why do complete strangers think it’s OK to comment on and judge my body. I am not community property!
November 25, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Ugh. This seems strange to me. Especially because (to me) you seem so much more comfortable with this pregnancy than the last, a little easier in your skin. I’m sorry people are being so ham handed. I love you.
November 26, 2006 at 12:09 am
These stories about people remarking on the state of your body are astounding. And by astounding, I mean fucked-up and rude.
I haven’t seen you in a while, but I doubt you are abnormally huge. Don’t let the bastards get you down.
P.S. Fabulous icon picture DKG!
November 26, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I’ll kill the bitch.
November 26, 2006 at 1:52 pm
It’s not, not, not okay for people to treat you that way. The only thing I can think of is that you are so beautiful that people assume they won’t hurt your feelings talking about how you look.
It’s still not okay.
November 26, 2006 at 5:48 pm
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity/-/pv_design_details/pg_1/id_14776977/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_360/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity/-/pv_design_details/pg_1/id_14372847/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_360/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity/-/pv_design_details/pg_5/id_11172100/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_0/
(especially this one!)
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity/-/pv_design_details/pg_8/id_6156351/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_0/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity/-/pv_design_details/pg_14/id_10659970/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_0/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity+no/-/pv_design_details/pg_1/id_680457/opt_/fpt_fHBa__DB_________bSH_P___e/c_360/
November 26, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Oh my god. Even OMFG. These are AWESOME! Well. Now I know what to get for Christmas.
November 26, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Thanks for all the moral support, girlfriends. I have a big post all about body image brewing in my head, which may eventually make it into my LJ. It doesn’t help that my whole body is awash — nay, flooded — with hormones right now. Tends to make my skin rather thin.
I thought of all sorts of bitchy retorts long after this incident occurred, of course. At least I managed to call her on her rudeness, even if I didn’t manage to do it in a clever way.
November 26, 2006 at 8:04 pm
You’re sweet! But honestly, these shirts don’t look like they could by worn by someone my shape! Which is sort of ironic, no?
November 26, 2006 at 11:20 pm
I lit her car on fire.
November 27, 2006 at 12:11 am
Screw that! Buy a baby-doll medium, wrap that gorgeous bod in it, and DARE those bitches to say anything.
Okay. Maybe not. Still. I think a tight t would be cute. And hot. But that’s just me.
November 28, 2006 at 1:12 pm
How very odd. I saw you this weekend and thought you looked fabulous. You certainly didn’t look big enough to comment on. I had to stop and think about where you were in your pregnancy because you didn’t look as big as I expected at this point.
Glad dizzy torched her car.
November 28, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I think because lots of people have kids, everyone assumes they are experts. But in reality, most people are idiots—some are maliciously so, others are just ignoramuses.
November 28, 2006 at 1:22 pm
So, now you’re ready to buy into the 99% solution, right?
November 28, 2006 at 7:30 pm
I don’t know what that is.