(no subject)

[pensnest]

I wore my new 'racer back' top and bra to Zumba and Pilates today. Am on the whole pleased with these—the bra isn't a perfect fit (oddly, a bit too big) but seemed to fulfil its function adequately enough, and Zumba has to be the best test it is going to get from me. The new back felt a little odd at first, but on the whole I like it. It shows off my shoulders, and my shoulders are pretty, so there's that. On the whole, pleased with myself during exercise.

This DESPITE the woman I've never previously spoken to sidling up to me before the class started to confirm that I was pregnant, wasn't I?

Thanks.

Aside: why are there people who do this? How are there still people who do this? Seriously? I mean, seriously?

On reflection, I have decided to take it as a compliment. I don't think she'd have assumed I was pregnant if she'd realised that I'm fifty-three. :-p And I'm a lot better at Zumba than she is, too.

Comments

[buddleia]

I've been known to rest my hands proudly on my belly, smile shyly, looking up under my eyelashes and say, 'It's... beer"

[pensnest]

Awesome!

[cleo]

People can be so rude, but I like your attitude about it.

My gym is going to start offering rumba classes. How is it?

[pensnest]

I like it - I've done a fair bit of Latin American dancing, so it's not difficult to pick up, although when we have a substitute instructor it becomes obvious there are a *lot* of different styles! It's definitely more dance-y than a straightforward aerobics class, but quite vigorous.

[cathexys]

Wow, rude. But I like your attitude. Totally a compliment!

[pensnest]

I only wish I'd thought of it sooner!

[sperrywink]

I'm glad the razor back clothign worked!

Rude women, though! Glad you could approach it with a good attitude.

[pensnest]

I know. I mean, seriously, who thinks it's reasonable to ask a stranger if she's pregnant? Even if you're *certain* you don't do that. In my experience a happily pregnant woman who thinks it's anyone else's business will find a way to mention it!

[ephemera]

people are weird sometimes - your interpretation makes a lot of sense, though.

[pensnest]

I'm going with the one that makes me feel good!

[carolyn_claire]

Could she have been trying to police your behavior while pregnant rather than your size? Either way, she needs to quit it.

[pensnest]

I think, probably, she wanted to congratulate me either on being pregnant or on being pregnant and still going to the gym. *Fail.*

[watervole]

Why do you see it as rude? Why not see her as someone who loves babies and wanted to be happy for you?

People feel embarrassed when they get it wrong, so I doubt very much that her intent was anything other than friendly. Probably wanted to get to know you.

[pensnest]

I think her intent very probably was friendly. The trouble is, her intent didn't matter, because what she actually *did* was to tell me I looked fat. Via a circuitous route, sure, but there really isn't any other explanation for 'are you pregnant?' than 'you have a huge protruding belly'. I mean, I *do* have a fat mid-section (which is not the same shape as a pregnant belly), but I don't think it's either kind or polite for someone to point it out to me. After all, it's my belly—I already know. And my body is nobody's business but mine. (Also, if I were pregnant, it'd be up to me to decide who gets to know about it, and complete strangers don't necessarily make the list.)

It's easy to get chatting with someone at the gym, especially when you're waiting to go into the same class. You can just talk about the class. And I like that kind of interaction, so it would have gone well.

[brandywine28.livejournal.com]

Yeesh. What's wrong with people?

I admire your glass-half-full attitude, though. It's is kind of flattering, when you think about it!

[pensnest]

Last time someone told me I was pregnant (I was doing some heavy lifting and he asked if I should be doing that In My Condition—happily I didn't need to murder him as his wife was ready to do it for me) I totally lost conviction and stopped the dieting that had, in fact, led me to lose a respectable amount of weight and girth. Hah.

This time I am made of sterner stuff.