I’m NOT Pregnant, I’m Fat
When my husband and I were at the airport on the way to our overseas trip, we stopped at a magazine stand just for curiosity. I thought I might find one or two interesting magazines I could read on the plane.
As usual, during summertime, the celebrity magazines like People, Us Weekly, Ok, Self, Shape, etc…are always loaded with weight loss info, celebrities’ successful diet story, summer bikini bodies and etc. I love reading those types of magazines. It’s weird, isn’t it? Why are a lot of people so curious to know about celebrities lives?
After I looked at a few magazines and flipped around a few pages, I found nothing and my husband and I stepped away. A really nice lady in magazine stand wished us a nice and safe trip. She also said “happy mother’s day” to me (Our flight was right on mother’s day). Later she said “Almost” smiling and pointing my tummy with her eyes.
After a few minutes I realized why she said “almost.” What did it mean? I asked my husband if he could give me his opinion. I wore a loose top at the time. Plus I felt like my tummy was bloated before the flight. Apparently I forgot to suck my tummy in. Apparently she thought that I was pregnant. My husband laughed so hard. And from that time he keeps teasing me “almost.” I asked my husband if I was fat and looked pregnant and he said “almost.”
Well that’s my story. Am I offended?, No! That’s a call to arms for me. It makes me realize that I need to do something with my weight or at the very least the way I dress. I indeed looked pregnant.
There’s another similar story. But not quite, because it turn out ugly at the end.
I have a friend in the office who a few other coworkers and I noticed looks different. A few months ago she stopped smoking in the office after lunch (she used to do it al the time). She started wearing a lot of baby dolls and flats. Her body looked more full than usual.
Here I am while other people don’t have a bravery to ask, dumb me! Big mouth! Thinking that honesty is best, I came up to her and told her “hey please forgive me if I’m wrong ok” and then leaned toward her and whispered right in her ear, asked:
“Are you pregnant?”
I thought she would smile at me and answer my question BUT she was so mad at me. She raised her voice and yelled at me. She asked why everybody asked her the same question. Was she so fat that people thought she’ was pregnant?. Again she told me women didn’t asked such sensitive questions even though someone was 6 or 9 months pregnant That’s a NO NO. Well, I don’t know. I thought I could ask someone politely and honestly. I’m just curious and there’s no intention to hurt anyone. I mean it.
I’m still in shock from that answer. I think the culture is different here in the United States. In Asia we can just ask any question to anyone. But over here in the U.S. the same question might very well be taboo.
November 1st, 2011 at 10:10 am
WOW….that was rough. Sorry you got yelled at like that. I have always been told though (maybe a male thing) that is the worst thing you can ask a woman unless she is a relative and you know she’s not fat but preggo? I still feel like her response was cruel. Just goes to show you that we need to be a little more understanding/sensitive.
Ryan
successwithfitness.com
April 29th, 2012 at 4:33 am
NO!!!!! EMPHATICALLY!!!! It is NOT okay OR appropriate to ask that question, not even in THIS country!!!! It’s downright RUDE. I’m not overweight (I weigh 105 and am four feet nine inches tall), but I have a uterine cyst that makes me LOOK pregnant at age 51. Since I’m not in any pain, my doctor thinks it’s unnecessary to have surgery, since the cyst will shrink and absorb when I go through menopause. So have some decency about you, and don’t be poking your nose in things that are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:36 am
@Ryan Hall Well, she just got yelled at again. I have GOOD REASON to yell. I’m sick of the whole “in my condition” remarks. My “condition” is none of people’s concern, thank you. And I am NOT fat.
April 30th, 2012 at 12:38 am
@Diana Thanks for offering your opinion. You never know what hurt a seemingly harmless question can cause.