Must We Always Compare?

There is something about a pregnant woman that draws her to another pregnant woman. I'm not sure if I'm lacking this gene, but I don't seem to be as interested in other people's pregnancies as they seem in mine. I do find it nice that they chat up a conversation with me simply because my abdominal region is protruding outwards, but I don't find myself starting a conversation with somebody for the same reason. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't bother me to talk about being pregnant or answer any questions from the curious pregnant onlooker, but I don't initiate. I made the mistake once of asking a lady when she was due...and she wasn't, so I steer clear of this question unless they make it painfully obvious that they are actually making life inside of themselves.

Lately, I have had a string of very friendly women ask me when I'm due. One morning as I was minding my own business making coffee and stocking creamers, a very nice black lady walked over to me and says, "How far along are you?"

Me: "Six months" (At the time)
Lady: Eyes widening..."GIRL! NUH-UH! SIX MONTHS?" She is yelling here batting her extra long fake eyelashes.
Me: "Yep."
Lady: "But, you're smaller than me and I'm only five months!" Still yelling.
Me: "Um...thanks."

While I like the fact that as I type this it makes me sound really tiny, that fact is not true. I'm not sure how to explain to someone, who even before they were pregnant, was the size of 2.5 of me that yes, indeed I am smaller than them...in every direction. I'm not sure if I take this as a complement that they think I'm so tiny that I'm smaller than them, but I bite my tongue and just let it be. I have yet to have someone who started out my size come up to me and tell me how tiny I am. This is the trend that I have going in my life. Large black ladies, friendly as can be, comparing their pregnant selves to me and me not knowing how to take their compliments (?).

Today, I was people watching and this large hispanic girl came in to where I happened to be. I thought to myself, (because this is how I think and it's creepy, watch out) "She would be a great contestant for The Biggest Loser." She has a pretty face and I imagined it slimmed down and her life changed by -250 lbs, and she was pretty cute. As I'm analyzing this, she comes over to the general area where I am and says, "How far along are you?"

Me: "Seven months"
Her: "Wow, you are further along than I am."
Me: *Thinking* She obviously wants me to ask how far along she is. "How far along are you?"
Her: "About a month."
Me: *Thinking again* WHAAA?? You think I got this way in a month? How can we even compare to each other here? Do you think I look like you? Should I be offended right now or am I just in denial of my large size?! "Mmm..I see. Are you sick?" Anything to change the subject of this awkward comparison.

Ultimately I think people like to talk about themselves. I mean, I do, so I'm sure they do too. Perhaps that is why they feel the need to compare with others. Whatever the reason, I'm hoping that I don't actually compare to any of the people that want to compare to me. If I do, someone needs to just come out and tell me that I have put on 300 lbs that I cannot account for.