Reflections on tummy touching

I was warned that when my pregnant belly got big enough, strangers would start touching it without permission. This is not cool with me.

I thought I could wear a t-shirt that said "Hands off my baby" or something, but I can't wear that to work. I though maybe I could just touch the toucher's belly back, but then I'd just be in a more uncomfortable social situation than before.

Then I forgot to think about it for a while because only family and close friends were touching and they were even asking permission first.

Then last night I went to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner and a waitress I'm acquainted with reached right over and put her hand on my tummy. Momentarily I went into shock - ack! - I screamed in my head - it's starting! What do I do to stop it!?

And then she took her hand away and I just smiled and told her when the baby is due. I decided she wasn't enough of a stranger to flip out over. That was simply the easier decision.

I hope total strangers don't start touching me now. Time to start thinking again about ways to politely avoid that. Any ideas?