A lot of people think it looks beautiful...I would do it only if thewy had a shirt on...for now I would say dont.

There is nothing okay IMO about some random person rubbing my stomach. My family, close friends and hubby of course would be fine but a total stranger, no way. I think when we have kids if some random person touches my stomach then Ill touch theirs back- or Ill get a shirt that says something like, "Private Property" on it. If strangers think Im a lovely looking pregnant woman, then they can feel free to TELL me so, but there is nothing appropriate about groping a person.

i am preggo and i will smack somebody down if they go touching my belly .... if they are a stranger that is , they are messing with their lives , preggos are hormonal lol

I'm not pregnant but I think I would HATE it if people would rub my big belly. What am I, public property? I think it's rude.

I was the only person who never touched my sister's stomach during her pregnancy. I think it's invasive.

Family and friends, ok - if they ask. Strangers or people I don't know well - hands off!

In general, it's a don't because lots of people hate it.

It never bothered me at all. I think it's really sweet how people are so enamored of pregnancy and mommies.

I know there are many cultures around the world that it is considered good luck to rub the belly of a pregnant woman. I myself thankfully am not having children so I won't have to beat the crap out of someone that tries to touch me in that way.

Wait. Don't because "you're already feeling fat enough?" How about don't because it's inappropriate to invade another person's space without an invitation? How about don't because being pregnant doesn't mean that your belly has suddenly become public property?

It's one thing if somebody you know asks if it's ok (and is ok with the answer no) but something completely different when some stranger just walks up and does it.

I agree with facin8me - it's not so much a "feeling fat" thing as a "personal space" thing. I'm not a touchy-feely person when I'm *not* pregnant (I actively dislike being touched by most people, in fact), and pregnancy certainly didn't change that! That said, I was lucky and never had any problems with it.

I am with facin. Enough said!

It's a big don't if you're a stranger going up to someone and rubbing the belly. I think if it's bff's and family it okay, just ask first.

Definitely depends on who it is and if they ask first. I usually didn't mind if ANYONE touched my tummy, as long as they asked FIRST!

I was okay with some people being that familiar with me, i.e., my husband (of course), and like two or three of my best girlfriends, I wanted them to be part of it!

Family & close friends were OK, but it really bothered me when people I didn't or barely knew touched my tummy. The other thing that really bothered me was people who touched my new baby's head.

Family and friends, yes. Strangers and acquaintance, no. You wouldn't touch a random non-pregant person so what makes it ok to touch a pregnant person?

Touching anyone without permission is pretty rude, yet a lot of people seem to think that a pregnant belly is an open invitation to rub it, tap it, and do whatever the hell they want to it. It's not. It's still rude.

Ask first. If they don't mind, great. If they do, listen. But be polite and ask first, always.

Unless you are an immediate family member, don't even think about it!

I never touch a pregant womans belly. Just because there is something there it doesn't mean you are free to touch it.

So rude. My husband has already said that any stranger who tries to touch my belly whenever I get pregnant while he's around will be in big trouble. When my best friend was pregnant, I touched her belly, but I ASKED FIRST. My belly will be off limits to everyone except my husband unless they ask, and then only close family and friends will be allowed!

I'm not pregnant but I don't think it's ok for strangers to just go around touching a pregnant woman's' belly...That being said I do know that in some cultures it considered good luck (for the baby) and in a country of so many cultures there will be some clashing. BUT, most people to who are random belly touchers have no cultural ties - they're just odd and rude and ODD - I mean, what makes up think it's ok to touch people you don't know??

If she says it's okay after you ask, fine. Otherwise, it's a definate don't!

When my sister was pregnant she'd SLAP hands away... it's vulgar and inappropriate to assume it's okay to touch anyone's body... even more so for a pregnant woman!
P.S. ther's a T-Shirt out there that says "If you didn't put it here, don't touch!"
Just a hint...

i've never been pregnant but i would imagine one wouldn't want poeple randomly rubbing their bellies like they're a buddah..so i go with a don't. unless they ask and you're ok with it,

A big don't unless they offer. I even think asking is rude. Just because she's pregnant, she's not public property, you wouldn't ask to rub someone else's belly.

This may make me unpopular, but I personally dislike the showing off of the pregnant belly in tight little tops. For me, that would something sacred between me and my husband. We live in a culture in which the worst thing anyone can be is not sexy. Now the elderly, pregnant women, the obese, and most frightening of all, children, have to be sexy. Sex is great, but I'd love it if could get it off the brain for a microsecond. With the clear exception of children, anyone can be sexy, but they shouldn't HAVE to be. Why does grandma have to unload her wisdom and try to look like Paris Hilton? There is something trashy about a pregnant woman looking like she's trolling bars for guys.

Only when its family or close friend. I would never touch someone I didn't know.

This is a big DON'T! In flashing neon letters! NEVER EVER DO THAT! I wouldn't like anyone touching my stomach, so it's no different if the person is pregnant. That state of being does not make the person communal property.

This reminds me of the story of Jessica Simpson asking Britney Spears if she could kiss her tummy when she was pregnant with Jaden James and Britney screamed "hell no!" and alledgedly made Jessica cry lol! I have never been pregnant but I agree with most of the comments above that only family and close friends should touch. Why would anyone else want to? If they don't have a personal attachment to the baby they don't need to touch me!

I think people who randomly come up to a pregnant woman and put their hands all over her, should have their arms ripped off and be beaten to death with them. Just because she's pregnant does not mean that its in anyway diferent than coming up and grabbing her if she wasn't. Family and friends I can understand that but, I am sure that no pregnant woman wants someone touching her all the time.

a no, i dont think that anyone has a right to touch ur belly its not public property, i think ur hubby can and close friends or family, but ask.

A big, big DON'T to touch my pregnant belly, unless you were my hubby or something. I was even uncomfortable with my mom touching it, unless I told her to (because the baby was moving) but even then, not for too long. Something about my personal space I guess.

Um.... This is a bug, fat, huge NO!!!!

If anyone touches me without my permission (husband included) I will back-hand them into next year.

It's never okay tojust go up and touch someone on their torso. An arm, "okay." But a more personal space? Hellz-to-the-no.

I, for one, hated this when I was pregnant...but to each his own. At that time, I might have bit the person touching me, as my hormones and attitude were all out of whack.

Well if the pregnant woman is anything like me she would be a germ freak and wouldn't want someone I didn't know touching me. But if I knew you I wouldn't mind so much.

I am a big believer in personal space! I've never been pregnant but I can pretty much guarantee when I am I am NOT going to want people to just come up and start touching my belly!

i think it's beyond rude for a stranger to assume it's ok to touch a pregnant woman's belly. i would beat the crap out of someone (or whatever, have the hubby do it for me since i'd be preggo) for coming up and violating my personal space.

I think I would prefer people to just not touch me at all, pregnant or not. But that's just me.

a don't, but not for that reason! i just think it's rude to touch people uninvited. you wouldn't reach out and rub a random, nonpregnant woman's stomach, would you? no? then don't touch the goods!

I am pregnant and i do not mind people touching my belly, they are usually so excited for me-so its nice! I have yet to have a stranger try to touch me. I think then i would back away-thats just wierd!!!!!!!!!

Touching anyone unannounced is so unacceptable, and what is with the fascination some people have with the pregnant belly anyway? I don't think that even asking is acceptable, it freaks me out that you'd want to touch my belly bad enough to ask my permission in the first place. Creepy.

Most people who haven't been pregnant doesn't understand that it's not about the pregnant woman, but the baby inside. I have one baby and one on the way and when you see someone look at your belly with love in thier eyes no matter if they are strangers or not you realize that they are usually just fascinated with what a human body can do. I think it is EXTREMELY rude to be ugly to someone just for wanting to touch a belly. If you don't like it just say that I don't want it to be touched right now. Never do you have the right to be ugly towards someone for trying to be friendly towards you.

When I was pregnant it made me extremely uncomfortable for people to touch my stomach, even if they asked first, it felt very invasive and I thought it was completely rude. Its a huge no for me. And I agree with wednesday_adams, why do you want to touch a pregnant stomach anyway? Weird.

Who's being rude by saying "No, I'm sorry, I'd rather you didn't touch it"? I don't get what you're saying dilsmom. Why would a belly be any different from, say, my butt? I'd slap someone away if they randomly rubbed my butt and I doubt anyone would consider that rude. Just because someone has a fascination with a body part doesn't make it ok to touch it without permission.

I'm about 11 weeks pregnant right now and already have two tshirts on order. One says "I am not a Buddha, you may not rub my belly" and the other one says "This is not a petting zoo."

If people want to think that's rude, I'm ok with that. It's my body, don't touch it without permission. If it takes being "rude" to accomplish that, so be it.

I've never been pregnant, but I can only imagine that if a total stranger were to come up to me and touch my belly, it would really annoy me. Relatives and friends and those you invite to do this are the only ones that have that kind of access.
And Greggie, if I were in the same situation I would order those shirts too! Maybe some in different colors so I don't run out!

When I was pregnant it never bothered me when someone would touch my tummy. Most times when a stranger will touch your tummy it's cause you're already engaged in a conversation with them so it's usually okay to touch. Besides I always felt special when I was pregnant and you only get this attention for at least 5 months when you're showing.

My "most times" have been way different than margie's. With my first two, people would randomly come up to me and squeal while rubbing my belly. Not much conversation involved.

Especially at baseball games for some reason. And people always took it as an open invitation to comment on the fact that I'd obviously had sex and how I'd never sleep again.

I don't get what it is about a pregnant belly that makes people think it's open mic night.

You're right Greggie...not all situations are pleasant. Some people can be rude with their comments. I remember good experiences. Not always for true for all women.

I agree with dilsmom. What's the big deal? A quick pat on the belly isn't going to kill anyone. They are just excited for you and the baby, which should make you happy. Of couse, tons of random strangers always touching you might get strange, but if it happens every now and then, smile and let it be. There are much bigger problems in the world to worry about (in my opinion).

loonyluna, again I bring up the butt situation. If a random guy walked up to you and rubbed your butt, would you "just be happy" because he's excited about your butt? Just smile and let it be, your body isn't your personal space at all.

Sure there are bigger problems in the world. But this poll isn't about them, it's about touching people without permission.

i only touch a pregnant woman's belly if she's like..omg feel right here! i don't randomly go up to ppl and rub their bellies...that's so weird. is that what i have to look forward to??

Ladies, you wouldn't just reach out and rub someone's child would you? Please be polite, because it is their personal space as well as their child. Yes a belly is a fascinating miracle, but there is still a person there with their personal space. Im glad to see so many girls here agree with me.