Mikey Doesn't Like It

Bauer’s Follow-Up to Controversial Breastfeeding Post Sparks More Controversy

Dosa on Valencia, the scene of the initial controversial breast-baring incident.
Dosa on Valencia, the scene of the initial controversial breast-baring incident. Photo: Courtesy of Dosa’s Facebook page

As previously noted, Michael Bauer sparked some controversy in The Scoop earlier this week when he expressed surprise and “admiration” over a mother’s lack of self-consciousness when breastfeeding at Dosa on Valencia. He asked for readers’ thoughts on the topic, which naturally opened the floodgates. See some favorite comments below.

Pro:

Breastfeeding in public should not be a problem. I would not personally like to see a bare breast even if it were attached to a cute baby. But I would not make a fuss. Personally, I would just cover up with a blanket. I don’t enjoy seeing someone sneeze or cough in a restaurant either, but I can’t control everything around me. Cover your nose. Cover your mouth. Cover your boob. If the baby’s hungry, he’s gotta eat!

Con:

If you refuse to feed the baby with a bottle while you are dining out, then stay home and cook your own meal! People don’t go to restaurants to witness “natural” functions. Some women just like to push their breast-feeding habit onto other people around them. It’s very aggressive, and probably indicative of neurosis.


Bauer did a follow-up yesterday in which he listed four additional controversial behaviors in restaurants, including cell phone use, young children, PDA, and eating foie gras (which seems a bit misplaced in this line-up), garnering even more commenter rage.

Naturally, SF Gate commenters offered their typical rhetoric, especially regarding foie gras, but one voice of reason stood out from the rest:

Do whatever you want but do not interrupt me while I have a fork in my hands!

Plus, a rather titillating anecdote:

I once saw a rather inebriated couple at a nice restaurant, and the girlfriend came over and sat on her boyfriend’s lap… and proceeded to give him a little private lap dance. Seems like a pinnacle of sorts was reach because he suddenly got up and made a beeline for the bathroom, holding his hand in front of himself. She was a little red-faced and chewed on her salad, suddenly aware that everyone knew.

Dare we ask what your thoughts are, readers?

Bauer’s Follow-Up to Controversial Breastfeeding Post Sparks More