For the past two days, Annie has been looking rather manly.
Apparently.
Because everywhere we go, I'm told what a "cute baby boy" she is. Now, I understand. All babies look androgenous, and we live in a society that assumes male before female. Really, I get it. She has short hair, no bow. Yesterday she was in yellow...and yellow can go either way. Although I kinda thought a yellow dress with flowers on it might be a hint, but anyway...
This morning, however, at the farmer's market, Annie was dressed in a cute pink shirt with butterflies on it. Pink and purple butterflies. And still I got, "Now that's a handsome little buddy," and "What a big boy!"
I don't bother to correct people. It doesn't bother Annie, of course. She just wants people to talk to her. But here's what got me. This one lady, on our way out of the market.
Her: 'Zat a girl baby o' a boy baby?
Me: [thank you for asking!!] She's a girl. [see the butterflies???]
Her: Huh.
Me: [smile, start to walk away.]
Her: Well, she sho' is a FAT baby.
Me: Huh. Heh. Umm...okay. [walk away]
Now what should I have said? "Why thanks, she gets that from me!" Or what?
And what was she planning to say if I said she was a boy? Probably something about being "strapping" and "strong."
Etiquette lesson for when you see a baby: Don't guess sex. "Cute baby" will do. And you know what else? Don't comment on weight. "Cute baby" will do.
While we're at it, if it's the ugliest-fattest-most-androgenous-looking-baby-wearing-green-and-yellow that you've ever seen...Just smile at the parent, nod, and say, "Cute baby."
That'll do.
Apparently.
Because everywhere we go, I'm told what a "cute baby boy" she is. Now, I understand. All babies look androgenous, and we live in a society that assumes male before female. Really, I get it. She has short hair, no bow. Yesterday she was in yellow...and yellow can go either way. Although I kinda thought a yellow dress with flowers on it might be a hint, but anyway...
This morning, however, at the farmer's market, Annie was dressed in a cute pink shirt with butterflies on it. Pink and purple butterflies. And still I got, "Now that's a handsome little buddy," and "What a big boy!"
I don't bother to correct people. It doesn't bother Annie, of course. She just wants people to talk to her. But here's what got me. This one lady, on our way out of the market.
Her: 'Zat a girl baby o' a boy baby?
Me: [thank you for asking!!] She's a girl. [see the butterflies???]
Her: Huh.
Me: [smile, start to walk away.]
Her: Well, she sho' is a FAT baby.
Me: Huh. Heh. Umm...okay. [walk away]
Now what should I have said? "Why thanks, she gets that from me!" Or what?
And what was she planning to say if I said she was a boy? Probably something about being "strapping" and "strong."
Etiquette lesson for when you see a baby: Don't guess sex. "Cute baby" will do. And you know what else? Don't comment on weight. "Cute baby" will do.
While we're at it, if it's the ugliest-fattest-most-androgenous-looking-baby-wearing-green-and-yellow that you've ever seen...Just smile at the parent, nod, and say, "Cute baby."
That'll do.
4 Comments:
We get the opposite here. Poor Peanut can be dressed in his bluest boy outfit and I will get "What a beautiful little girl". I have given up on correcting it I just say "Yes I know isn't HE darling". Of course we also get the he/she is so small. I just smile and say yep and his brother is huge. It seems your damn if you do damn if you don't as far as size of babies. I used to get large comments about the Monkey all the time now I get the small ones for the peanut. I think they are perfect just the way they are. And I don't think little Miss Annie looks manly at all. She is such a happy doll baby!
Well I agree with the previous comment, I think that Annie looks perfectly feminine. But I do agree that people should just not try to guess. I had perfectly bald babies (til they were like 3!) and constantly had to hear them being referred to as boys. It drove me nuts. I think that's why I was so bad for all the frills and lace :) And the womans comment would have definitely gotten a really snotty remark from me, but I'm just a bitch that way ;-) LOL
Some people just need to have some sense slapped into them. I think you handled it well..I usually give them that "get away from me freak!" smile and keep on walking. I can't believe she called sweet Annie FAT! She is lucky none of us were with you or she would have gotten an ear full.
That is crazy! Was it an old lady? For some reason it is always the old people that mistake the gender. Hey we LIVE beside the grandparents and they still call my kids "IT"! Example "It is just having a fun time playing isn't it." I just don't understand. THen just a week or two ago we were over there and pawpaw the drunk was trying to call DK and ASKED me what her name was!! Uh she lives beside you! She is your great grandchild! And she is 2 years old now! You would think he would know her NAME!! I just don't get old people!
Besides your Annie is very girly looking and not FAT at all!
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