I was sitting at a café next to a very pregnant woman. She was drinking her third cup of coffee in a row. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Think about your baby!” I blurted out.

She stopped mid-sentence, then sighed deeply, rubbing her temple as if trying to contain her frustration.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” she finally said, her voice calmer but firm.

Feeling a little embarrassed but still concerned, I hesitated. “I just thought… caffeine isn’t good for the baby.”

My stomach dropped. My face burned with embarrassment. Before I could stammer out an apology, she continued, “I have a medical condition that causes severe bloating. I’ve been mistaken for being pregnant too many times to count.”

I felt terrible. “I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She sighed again, softer this time. “You know, I get why people assume, but it’s exhausting. I can’t go anywhere without someone commenting on my body.”

I nodded, still at a loss for words.

After a moment, she offered a small smile. “I appreciate that you care, though. Most people just judge silently. But maybe next time, just… don’t assume.”

I smiled back, still embarrassed but grateful for her grace. “Lesson learned.”

As she picked up her coffee and took another sip, I realized that sometimes, even well-intentioned words can cause harm. And maybe, just maybe, it’s best to keep our judgments to ourselves.