Nice posts, Jan and Jo-Anne, though they both raise further questions.  Can
we decide not to worry about the comfort of others in the vicinity?
Personally, I think so, but I've become used to people 'whipping 'em out'
nonchalantly in lots of places after living here for so long.  If we are to
consider 'tact', does that imply an acceptance for some peoples' intolerance
of what really is normal human behavior?  Breastfeeding is, among other
things, an act of nutrition.  It is not an act of abuse, violence or
exploitation, nor is it akin to coughing up phlegm (and I can almost not
type that without gagging) or urinating.
Maybe the problem with breastfeeding where people can see you, is that it is
hard to disguise one's enjoyment, especially the baby's.  Strange, when you
consider the number of advertisements for food and drink where physical
enjoyment of the product is central to selling it (not to mention the use of
women and their breasts, to the same end!).  Or maybe that is the crux of
it - since breastfeeding doesn't involve buying or selling anything, but
consists of a mother satisfying a baby's needs and desires without benefit
of a cash transaction.  Wonder if breastfeeding in view of others would be
considered obsjectionable if we had little windows like on the gas pumps on
our breasts, showing how fast the milk was flowing and above all, what it
was costing?

I'm probably not the best judge of what is objectionable.  I ate my sandwich
for lunch today sitting beside two colleagues involved in a very graphic
discussion about retained membranes, and enjoyed my food to the fullest.
But if anyone had 'hawked' in there, I would have had to run for it or risk
ruining the upholstery.  Sorry if this has been indiscreet or tactless.  I
feel comfortable!
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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