Public Opinion Divided on Asking If Someone is Pregnant
A recent poll reveals that a significant majority of Australians believe it is inappropriate to ask someone if they are pregnant, highlighting growing sensitivity towards personal matters such as fertility.
There are some things you should keep to yourself, rather than saying out loud: like asking someone if they're pregnant.
Any woman who's struggled with fertility knows how much that seemingly innocent question can sting and, unsurprisingly, most people agree you just don't do it.
We asked Aussies if it is OK to ask a person if they are pregnant in an exclusive Nine.com.au poll and while it may seem like a simple answer, people had a lot to say about it.
An overwhelming 67 per cent of people agreed that no, you cannot ask a woman that question.
“Definitely not okay to ask a person if they're pregnant. You don't know a person's story,” replied one reader.
“My sister was asked this question by a work colleague, visually she was a little weighty at the time. Little did her colleague know my sister has been on IVF for a few years and has been unsuccessful.”
It's fair to say now that a lot more people are more aware and conscious of people's fertility struggles, keeping questions like this to themselves.
Another replied, “It is never ok to ask if someone is pregnant for so many reasons.”
“It will never be OK to ask someone if they are pregnant, just because they have a pot belly, not everyone has a flat tummy, even though they are not fat,” wrote another reader.
Some people felt it was OK to ask years ago, but not now, which is reflected in the amount of people who responded no.
Of those surveyed, 16 per cent of people felt it is OK to ask someone if they are expecting.
“It depends on how close you are. A close friend would be OK,” replied one reader.
But others didn't know about how to handle the tricky topic, with 17 per cent of those surveyed responding that they were 'unsure' if it was OK to ask.
“Asking someone if they're pregnant is acceptable in certain situations but can be tricky otherwise,” one person responded.
One person shared their own experience asking the question and revealed it ended with a rather awkward situation.
“I once asked a workmate if his wife was pregnant. He said no, just fat! Embarrassing,” the person replied.
