Friday, January 09, 2009

I must be getting old...

I don't care if you want to do it, and yes it's better for your child, but come on! While in line at the cash of Costco, this woman and her baby rolled up next to us. We had crossed paths a few times during our shopping. She was a young mother. Baby was getting cranky, so mommy lifted her sweater, and plugged baby right then & there. I didn't say anything, until Hubby noticed. He looked at me, with a little smirk. I couldn't help to think of this line I've heard a comedian, Patrick Huard, say once: "Yes it's natural, but masturbating as well and I do it at home!"

I'm not scrupulous (far from it), but come on, while in line to pop a boob like that? Really?

13 comments:

Brave Astronaut said...

No, you're not getting old, you're just rational. There are some breastfeeding women (like the one you encountered), who don't really care where they, um, whip it out.

But I'm with your husband. There are some things that need to be done, but not ever in public.

Periwinkle Studio said...

I agree, you are not old....we just don't 'see' that sort of thing in our cultures. A towel (over) the boobie...yes, but whipping that sucker out for all to see...well,..um, you know.... just sayin'

Green-Eyed Momster said...

I forgot to mention how much I love your new avitar! It's cute!!

Now about the boob thing, I only did it once in Walmart and nobody else was around. Plus, you couldn't see my actual boob....

Wow, I'd be shocked too!

Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Hmm... I'd be curious to know if this generational or just part of the NoAmer culture. Perhaps comments will give us some clues?

cinnamon girl said...

Um, maybe you are getting old.... because I know I couldn't care less.

No, just kidding. I don't think it's an age thing.

I think Periwinkle is more on the mark. There are societies where popping a boob out to feed a baby in public is completely normal. But we don't see that happen much in our cultures, so it would shock or suprise most people.

The anthropologist in me would then ask, what is it in our culture that makes us think that feeding a baby is comparable to masturbating? And is our distaste for public brestfeeding simply a knee-jerk cultural reaction, or is there actually something fundamentally dangerous or wrong about it? Is it considered bad for the baby or the woman, or do people feel uncomfortable because someone is flouting social norms?

Whether the issue is breastfeeding or something else, most cultures will look down on anyone who doesn't follow social norms. I guess the younger generations of our cultures are the first for whom flouting social norms IS the social norm. If you know what I mean. So in that sense, maybe it does bother you because you are getting older and are following different cultural rules to them.

Mind you, I just came back from a festival where half the people there were naked or semi-naked, so at the moment my mind is so broad I could pull it out my ears and tie it in a bow under my chin.

cinnamon girl said...

Whoops, sorry, didn't realise I'd written an essay. ;-)

stinkypaw said...

brave a: I don't care if it's done in public, but not in plain sight like that.

periwinkle: She was from here, and with her mother who looked like she was in her fifties. I just thought it was a bit much...

traceyt: Well thank you! There's a way to be discreet about it, but standing in line wasn't really.

monkey: We're not in a country where going around with a boob hanging out in stores is an everyday thing, but then again, it might be where I shop.

cinnamon: Hey! ;-)

If I was to go somewhere like a festival I would expect it (in a way), and wouldn't have any issue with it. I guess she just surprised me. I don't really expect to see boobs when doing my grocery shopping, but if I was in a nude colony or event, I would have no issues. I think it also has to do with time & place. Or maybe I AM getting old...er. :-(

Unknown said...

I think the important issue that all of you have missed is was this young lady hot?


I keed, I keed! Please don't hurt me!! ;-)

I don't have a problem with the concept, but as Periwinkle said it's not hard to be discreet. Although I suppose I would prefer the low level discomfort of a woman with her breast out in public over the screams of a hungry infant. I can ignore a boob by just turning away.

stinkypaw said...

marius: Bah, she wasn't that good looking and had droopies... (yes, I did look!) but you made a good point, me too, would rather see a boob than hear a screaming baby.

Biddie said...

Maybe I am getting old then, too. I am sick as heck of that 'it's natural' crap.
I was at Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago and a mother changed her baby's diaper on the table in McDonalds.
WTF?
Seriously?

stinkypaw said...

Biddie: That is just plain gross! Some people have no consideration for the people around them. Argh.

Anonymous said...

I don't mind public breastfeeding as long as it's done with a little discretion, but often you can't say something like "a little discretion" without being labeled anti-baby or anti-mom or whatever. So I'm just going to avert my eyes to this whole thing.

stinkypaw said...

flurrious: Good decision, that's what I did as well, at the store.