‘Why are we still doing this in 2025??’: Coworker touches colleague's belly without her consent and assumes she's pregnant, woman claps back at their arrogance

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
May 1, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

In 2025, it's best to never assume a person is pregnant. Why? Well, firstly, it's none of our business whether or not someone is with child. Secondly, it's inherently impolite to assume anything about someone's body solely based on looks and aesthetics. Any woman will tell you that, but this next story is proof that anyone, especially coworkers, should not be commenting on anyone's bodies. Folks nowadays think they can say anything they want without being called out on it, but this isn't the 1950s anymore. In 2025, women will clap back at anyone who decides to make unwarranted advances toward them and comment on them.

In this next story, a woman's coworker assumes she's pregnant and touches her belly at the office. The woman immediately makes a snide comment back at her colleague, and her boss is vilifying her for doing so. Commenters are outraged for her, and we are too. Scroll below to read the full story.

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  • A pleasant day in the office will obviously turn sour if any of your colleagues decide to put their hands on your lower abdomen without asking if that's appropriate. Spoiler alert: It's never okay to touch someone in the workplace without their consent—or anywhere, for that matter.

  • "So I said, 'Don't be wishing that kind of bad luck on me.""
    via Oleg Ivanov For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITA for snapping when someone rubbed my belly and implied I might be pregnant?"

    So today, my office building was throwing a little fiesta-themed event and they offered free lunch in the cafeteria. A bunch of us went down to grab food.
    via annydelacroix
  • While I was standing in line, I opened the Nest camera app to check on something and saw a little bird that's been showing up
    via annydelacroix
  • outside every day. I laughed and casually said to no one in particular, "This bird comes to visit me every day."
    via annydelacroix
  • Right after I said that, a coworker (who has made pregnancy comments toward me before) came up, rubbed my belly without asking, and said something like, "Maybe it's because you've got a baby bird on the way."
    via annydelacroix
  • I felt this immediate wave of rage -like why are we still doing this in 2025?? So I said, "Don't be wishing that kind of bad luck on me."
    via annydelacroix
  • She looked super taken aback, and my boss (who overheard) also looked at me like I'd just said something offensive. It felt like I was the crazy one for being
    via annydelacroix
  • upset. But I didn't ask to be touched, I'm not pregnant, and I really don't like people making those kinds of comments about my body.
    via annydelacroix
  • Cheezburger Image 10498556160
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Now I'm wondering-AITA for reacting the way I did?
    via annydelacroix
  • wesmorgan1 NTA - and you need to put a stop to this as soon as possible. If you haven't already told this person to stop their behavior (both spoken and physical), do so in a calm, clear manner. If they continue, it's time to bring management/HR into the picture.
    via wesmorgan1
  • (If you think it necessary, you can ask your boss to present when you tell the person to stop their behavior, so that there are no questions later about how you handled the matter.)
    via wesmorgan1
  • bassoonprune NTA. Don't touch people's bodies. Don't comment about people's bodies. These are good life rules, and imperative office rules. I'd be chatting with HR immediately if I were you.
    via bassoonprune
  • OldSag tBiscuits NTA, unwelcome touching is just that, UNWELCOME. That's so gross of someone to do that Contact HR immediately!
    via OldSag****tBiscuits
  • pacalaga Normalize slapping people's hands away. And report said coworker to HR.
    via pacalaga
  • Creative_Goose5614 NTA. Who in their right mind thinks it's ok to just walk up to someone and touch them?
    via Creative_Goose5614
  • Sudden-Green3769 It's far easier to keep your hands to yourself and mouth hushed than to do all that. NTA Some people don't learn until they get called out. And many more don't learn until called out repeatedly.
    via Sudden-Green3769
  • BigBellyThickThighs NTA- for some reason, a lot of people forgot what "Keep your hands to yourself" meant when they learned that in Kindergarten. No one touches anyone unless they say they can. Ugh. Other note - if this coworker has done this in the past, I would encourage to report them. They think this is okay which is why it continues.
    via BigBellyThickThighs

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace Professional At Work work coworkers reddit story entitled people karma workplace entitled pregnant reddit thread Reddit entitled people
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