July 14, 2010 3:59 pm

It’ll make for a good story someday.

Today, I was minding my own business at work and using a free conference room to pump. (I’m set on continuing to breastfeed, so since I’m away from Wesley all day I have to pump at work in order to have something to feed him while he’s at daycare.)

None of the conference rooms at work have locks, so I have a couple of large “DO NOT DISTURB” signs that I tape on the door before I go in. So far, this has worked nicely. Many people at work know what I’m up to (more or less) so they steer clear. Plus, they are typically nice people who respect that kind of signage.

However, mid-pumping session this afternoon, I noticed a shadow in front of the translucent door. Before I had time to think, I observed the door sliding open and managed to yelp, “AAAAHH!!! DON’T COME IN!!!”

This did not deter the door-slider.

The door-slider – who turned out to be the VP of Sales – poked his head in the room, noticed me, remarked “Oh! Sorry.” and then left.

WHAT.

What part of “DO NOT DISTURB” and “AAAAHH!!! DON’T COME IN!!!” is unclear?! Did he really need to see me (and presumably my boobs, and my pumping apparatus) to realize THIS CONFERENCE ROOM IS OCCUPIED? BY SOMEONE WITH THEIR BOOBS OUT? WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE DISTURBED?

People baffle me sometimes.

(This is a great, multi-part (1, 2, 3) article on what it’s like (humiliating! embarrassing!) for women to pump at work and the effort and sacrifices it takes to do it. This is another multi-part (1, 2, 3, 4) article on what it’s like and what your options are for pumping at work. Part 3 is especially relevant for me.)

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9 Comments

  • Rose says:

    Probably a pervert.
    Definitely a pervert.:-P

  • Meggan says:

    I just… gah. Not a pervert; I don’t think he saw anything (I tried to turn my body the other way but my head to face him) but it was just so SURPRISING to me to be walked in on after all my efforts to prevent that.

  • Jem says:

    I don’t even know how to begin telling you how much respect I have for you pumping at work. I can’t even manage it at home! <3

  • Melissa says:

    Yeah that seems pretty rude. D: Like hello… SIGNS. Maybe he thought he was like above all the signs and the “WAIT NO AHH” because he is a VP? :P Pompous thinking and LAME. Sorry you had to deal with that. :(

  • the grumbles says:

    thanks for linking to me! don’t i feel fancy-pants today!

    this morning someone tried to come into the room i was pumping in three times in a row. SERIOUSLY, the door is locked, TAKE THE HINT AND GO AWAY.

    (and today i just added a part 4, pump troubleshooting!)

  • Melissa says:

    I couldn’t even imagine having to pump at work. I only pumped for a month, but doing it at home was enough hassle in itself! Did the guy think the sign was a joke or something? Maybe next time you should make sure to have your boobs hanging out all over the place! Haha.

  • That guy is a complete knob-end and I hope he withers with shame every time he thinks about his faux-pas.

    Keep on keeping on – you’re doing a fantastic thing for your little boy. Although the process seems excruciating right now, this time next year you will be glad that you persevered and that you did all that you could to give Wesley the best start in life.

  • Lizzie says:

    And this guy is the VP of Sales – maybe he should go back to college to learn the basics of reading and writing…

  • Erin says:

    Gah! I know how you feel. My pump makes this bizarre whiny noise when I use it and I feel so self conscious. But to have my boss walk in? I’d freak out. I do it in the ladies room since there is one of those noise-privacy things associated with the light switch so it kind of drowns out the noise. Also, it’s one of those one person at a time bathrooms, so yay privacy!

    Seriously though. With signs, he probably was just curious about what was going on. Doesn’t make it less awkward.