Are you getting tired of hearing this brand of anecdote from me?

Remember those dresses I've been looking to sell?

Just sold one-- a cute little silver sequined number. Now, keep in mind that the place I posted the ad is a local parenting listserve-- I mentioned the Sprog in the post, with a lighthearted comment about how it might be a while before I could wear that size again.

Lady comes to my apartment to pick up the dress. Looks at me. "How far along are you?"

"I have a three-month-old."

"Oh, cause you mentioned in the post you... Well you look great! When I had my kid I looked six moths pregnant for about six months after. Then four months pregnant for four months after that."

"Mm-Hm. Do you want tissue paper?"

"That'd be great. I teach a Pilates class, you know."

"Yeah? That's nice. Here. Do you know your way back to the elevator?"

* * * * *

I'm working my way towards being able to laugh about it. Direct hit in my squishy center, that one.

Do you know, this sort of thing... No man has EVER made that mistake with me. But women? I'm losing count.

I think men know enough to keep their goddamn mouths shut. Whereas women seem to think they have sonogram vision embedded in their eyes or something.

Anyway, I do think her first comment was unwitting. Actually, in a way it's worse that the comment was unwitting, because it emphasizes the fact that I really do look pregnant.

But the follow-up Pilates class remark was a whole 'nother level of inappropriate. Does she normally shame people into becoming customers?

Even if I could afford classes to supplement my workout regimen, I think I'd hold out for a teacher who treats me with respect and helps me feel good about myself.

In short: Regarding the title question-- yeah. I'm tired of it too.

Comments

[tracey]

OMG. Beeyotch. How does she think shame/guilt is a winning sales pitch?? Good God.

You are BEAUTIFUL, roo. Don't let any mindless petty wench try to make you feel different.

[tracey]

Btw, I had to link. This post touches a nerve for me.

KAPOW on that woman!

[roo]

Thank you, tracey. It means a lot to me that you felt that.

Because it gets worse. I decided to talk about my mixed feelings about my postpartum body with my therapist. She interrupts my rant about inappropriate comments with an observation that I didn't mind people saying things like that to me when I was pregnant.

And how about a nice steaming cup full of missing the point?

Ohhh, don't be so hard on them-- it's not their fault you look pregnant.

I'd write a post about it, but I really, really am sick of this particular anecdote.