When I was pregnant, I got the chance to improve my understanding about behavior of other people towards pregnant women. Some of my experiences are really awesome and some are unfavorable. I found people around us are divided into two categories, first, those who respect motherhood and treat all pregnant ladies well. Second group is of people who think it's not their headache if a woman is pregnant and she has to deal with this matter herself.
During my pregnancy I added lots of fruits in my diet and every day after office, I used to buy fruits for myself. Luckily every other day I met with people who used to offer me help till my house by carrying my fruit bag. I was 30 weeks pregnant and I witnessed subtle humbleness. Once on my way to home, I felt like throwing-up. This is the worst part of my pregnancy that I puked so much. Suddenly I noticed some one standing behind me and rubbing my back. With fear I turned back and saw a 17-18 years old girl. She said, "It's okay. I am here. Should I bring some water for you?" I had a water bottle in my bag so I requested her to get me that from the bag. She then asked me, "I can help you reach home. Tell me where you live?" I thanked her with full of my heart and called my husband to come to that place. She was with me until my husband reached. I was really touched with her gesture because people generally don't go close to a puking person. Again I saw cordiality and benevolence.
Then I faced blatant rudeness also. One day I woke up late and for reaching office I boarded metro. The train was about to move and I was nearly equal to a small sized (being 30 weeks pregnant) house so I ran inside the common coach which was just in front of me (Delhi metro has a ladies only coach ). I settled myself near to those two seats which are supposed to be given to ladies or senior citizens. However, I was not lucky as two girls were already sitting there. In the hope of favor from someone else in the coach, I kept myself in standing position with help of a pole inside. First I was so disappointed that no one offered me his/her seat even when they could see my baby bump. But soon I realized giving up seat to an expected mother is a polite thing to do. But does anyone have to give up his/her seat ? Nope! Of course it's extremely rude and selfish to just sit there while a heavily pregnant woman suffers on her feet. But no buddy is required to make any one's life easier, whether she is pregnant or not. After all, she has meticulously decided to have her pregnancy and therefore it's her burden to bear those many months being double sized. Although I hate to say this but in reality it's really no one's concern that she is uncomfortable with having a growing baby inside.
To be clear, I am not advocating such people who don't offer seats to pregnant women or elderly people. But thing is, we can't force people do the right thing. This incident made me think that If I was being so courteous with people. But I was again wrong! This world is a mix of different type of people. Not all of them are bad and for that matter not everyone is good. Only because I met with some careless and emotion-less people doesn't mean I (or anyone) should give-up my mannerly approach of life. People may not be able to understand other's physical or mental situation but it's that person's onus to think how he/she would handle the discomfort in public places. After that day, I always booked a cab if I was late for office. It was primarily my responsibility to care for my baby and myself, and I can't force anyone (except my family) to treat me well. However I still believe that most of the people are good and they do the right things, despite what I said above!
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