Old wives' tales strike again

I always find it curious how people feel the need, no the right, to dish out unsolicited parenting advice the minute you become pregnant (whether this is your first or third pregnancy, it seems to happen all the same). They also think it's suddenly okay to violate your personal space and touch your belly. Or perhaps comment on your weight and growing midsection.

I don't think too much about it - I know these people mean well. So, I try to let most of that just roll off my shoulders since what can you do anyway? What do you say when someone comments on your weight? And, what do you say when someone asks to touch your belly? Or, worse yet, touches your belly unasked? (without appearing like a total bitch whacked out on hormones of course)

But what I find truly amusing, are the constant old wives' tales I hear from people, guessing whether I'm having a boy or girl. That I'm carrying high, or low, wide and round, or sticking straight out, to indicate one or the other sex. And they are very certain of their prediction. Every time.

I don't believe in any of it, so it's quite the entertainment. Really.

Case in point.

I was at my fave Falafel's Drive In stand the other day, minding my own business, grabbing some lunch to go and talking to the owners about our upcoming baby (they know my family well, as my parents started going to this joint even before I was born!).

An older Hispanic gentleman, standing next to me waiting for his food, decided to hop in on the discussion.

You're having a girl, right?

No, we're having a boy.

I think you're going to have a girl. Nine grandchildren and I've never been wrong.

Okay. Well, thank you.

Alas, I didn't have the heart to tell him (I never do), that I think I'll place my bets on the amnio results instead. ;-)