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 Sun Aug 19, 2007 15:01 pm "Are you pregnant?"--Is this expression vulgar? |
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NinaZara
I'd say you should go on a diet then 
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Che Gevara
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Nicholas
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| Sun Aug 19, 2007 16:12 pm "Are you pregnant?"--Is this expression vulgar? |
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Hi Nina
I don't think the word 'pregnant' is vulgar. The word 'pregnant' would be preferable to 'expecting' for official or legal reasons.
If doing a particular activity poses a significant risk to a pregnant woman and/or her unborn baby, then I wouldn't see anything unusual about asking a woman beforehand whether she is pregnant. It's a normal word. The word 'expecting' is euphemistic and would not be used formally for official or legal purposes.
I can imagine the operators of a bungee jumping facility, for example, asking women of child-bearing age whether they are pregnant, and if so, then advising them of the risks to the pregnancy, or not allowing them to jump at all.
I fail to see why flying would pose a significant risk to a pregnancy -- unless the pregnancy is already a high-risk one. However, I suppose it's possible that the airline simply wants this sort of official information in case of emergency.
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Yankee
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NinaZara
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| Mon Aug 20, 2007 13:00 pm "Are you pregnant?"--Is this expression vulgar? |
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| NinaZara wrote: | | But I always have the impression that something as "sensitive" as being pregnant should be addressed subtly, eventhough personally I think everything should be practical. |
What is "sensitive" about being pregnant? It's a normal, healthy state, without which the world couldn't continue. There's nothing wrong with asking this.
And what if the woman is in the middle of her eighth month of pregnancy? Do you think the question should still be put delicately? The woman's got a stomach that sticks out a mile, and you say, "Ma'am, would you happen to be...um...expecting?"
Asking, "Are you pregnant?" is not vulgar, and if someone used a euphemism, the woman might not understand the meaning of it. Just imagine: "Ma'am, one more question. Are you expecting?" "No, me no expect nobody. Me travel alone." Or maybe the woman would misunderstand and just say, "No," and the clerk would just assume she understood.
Even though I'm obviously a man -- and not an effeminate man -- with a beard and hairy arms, a hotel receptionist once asked me as I checked in, "Are you a mother of twins?" |
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Jamie (K)
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| Mon Aug 20, 2007 16:45 pm "Are you pregnant?"--Is this expression vulgar? |
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| Jamie (K) wrote: | | NinaZara wrote: | | But I always have the impression that something as "sensitive" as being pregnant should be addressed subtly, eventhough personally I think everything should be practical. |
What is "sensitive" about being pregnant? It's a normal, healthy state, without which the world couldn't continue. There's nothing wrong with asking this. |
Of course it is normal. But when a woman is pregnant, her body changes so she might be self-cautious. I know this because my sister kept on saying herself fat on the phone when at the same time my mom told me she was too skinny to be a pregnant woman.
| Jamie (K) wrote: | | And what if the woman is in the middle of her eighth month of pregnancy? Do you think the question should still be put delicately? The woman's got a stomach that sticks out a mile, and you say, "Ma'am, would you happen to be...um...expecting?" |
I get your point but a more valid question would be "When are you due?" Though the pregnant women might hear it as "You're HUGE!"
| Jamie (K) wrote: | | Asking, "Are you pregnant?" is not vulgar, and if someone used a euphemism, the woman might not understand the meaning of it. Just imagine: "Ma'am, one more question. Are you expecting?" "No, me no expect nobody. Me travel alone." Or maybe the woman would misunderstand and just say, "No," and the clerk would just assume she understood. |
The thought crossed my mind too.
| Jamie (K) wrote: | | Even though I'm obviously a man -- and not an effeminate man -- with a beard and hairy arms, a hotel receptionist once asked me as I checked in, "Are you a mother of twins?" |
Hilarious!(Or am I being insensitive here?) She probably forgot to wear her glasses.
I know if I don't wear my glasses I probably see the three of you.
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NinaZara
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| Mon Aug 20, 2007 21:37 pm "Are you pregnant?"--Is this expression vulgar? |
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| NinaZara wrote: | | Jamie (K) wrote: | | Even though I'm obviously a man -- and not an effeminate man -- with a beard and hairy arms, a hotel receptionist once asked me as I checked in, "Are you a mother of twins?" |
Hilarious!(Or am I being insensitive here?) She probably forgot to wear her glasses.
I know if I don't wear my glasses I probably see the three of you. |
THe reason she asked was that an organization called Mothers of Twins was having a convention at that hotel. She wanted to know if I was there with the Mothers of Twins convention (perhaps with a wife), and, "Are you a mother of twins?" was her shorthand way of asking, "Are you here for the Mothers of Twins convention?" |
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Jamie (K)
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| Tue Aug 21, 2007 15:45 pm "Are you pregnant?" -- Is this expression vulgar? |
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Nina, Che alluded to a more rude use of that question, and one that, when asked in the most conscientious manner and with kind motivation, can lead to embarrassment.
Meanness:
Mean kid -- "Hey, Greg, are you pregnant? You look like you've gained about 30 pounds so far this year!"
Greg -- "No." (begins to cry)
Conscientious blunder:
Jane: Well I'll be, Janet -- are you and Tyler expecting a little one? I know y'all have been trying.
Janet: No, Jane, I'm not pregnant. I've stopped smoking and this weight comes as a result of that.
Jane: Oh, dear... (flushes red with embarrassment)
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prezbucky
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| Sun Aug 26, 2007 15:25 pm "Are you pregnant?" -- Is this expression vulgar? |
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Yeah, Tom.
I did the first to my sister. She was obviously all stressed out because of all the exams she is facing this year and I told her to stop eating before she gets "pregnant" without getting married.
I know, I was mean. But trust me, I was saving her from all the excess baggage she'll regret later.
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NinaZara
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| Wed Aug 29, 2007 0:26 am "Are you pregnant?" -- Is this expression vulgar? |
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Plus, you're sisters... so I suppose a bit of tough love is permitted.
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prezbucky
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| Fri Sep 14, 2007 15:41 pm "Are you pregnant?" -- Is this expression vulgar? |
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You know in china people will volunteer to offer some seats to the senior,kids or pregnant women on bus or on train. Several years ago, I went out shopping with one of my friends. Yes the girl was rather heavy and she chanced to be in a suspender trousers on that day. When we got on the bus, a middle-aged woman raised and said:"be careful, sit here" with a big smile on her face. At first i felt very confused. why she offered the seat to her instead of me. I felt exhausted at that time.
:"How many months later will you be a mother?', asked the woman still with a bigsmile on her face.
OMG I really didn't know what to do at that time.What would I say at that time if the woman said that to me? I don't know.
:"very soon, just 3 months ahead. Thanks so much.'said my friend while sitting down and responsed with a grin.
When we got off the bus my friend told me she just didn't want the warm-hearted woman feel embarrassed.
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aleaf
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| After Tom, as for mine? | Have you ever heard about red moon? |
(honestly not because of the language but mainly because I am so not pregnant), so in reply I said, "What?" And then I said, "I mean no. No, I am not pregnant." 
It just makes a shock only. 
