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Original poster

Does anyone ever ask women they don't know for a tampon/sanitary towel in public toilets?

159 replies

TurtleyLost · 01/09/2019 08:12

I'm nearly 40 and I've never done this, or had anyone ask me. Friends yes, strangers no.

Is this something that women really do?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 01/09/2019 08:30

@TurtleyLost I suspect I know what you’re talking about. And no, I don’t think it is a common thing to do.

Northernsoullover · 01/09/2019 08:34

I've been menstruating for 33 years and I have definitely asked at least once. I have been asked too but by colleagues rather than strangers.

amandacarnet · 01/09/2019 08:34

No except outside a club I have never asked or been asked and I am the type that always get asked by strangers for directions or by beggars. I have been asked in a toilet in a club. But I think that is a very different kind of ambience.

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Beauty
Claphands · 01/09/2019 08:36

I’ve been asked at work by women who I didn’t know, happy to help too.

Leapyearlover · 01/09/2019 08:39

No but I have asked someone for a nappy for ds.

Violetroselily · 01/09/2019 08:39

I have never asked or been asked. I tend to carry tampons in my bag all the time, so would be able to help someone out if necessary.

amandacarnet · 01/09/2019 08:41

I have used toilet paper when I did not have anything.
Not saying it never happens, but I think it is not common.

amandacarnet · 01/09/2019 08:42

But I also don't carry supplies around with me at other times. I am surprised anyone does.

Spinnaret · 01/09/2019 08:43

I have just seen this mentioned in an article linked in another thread, where another TW than the Canadian was gushing about this as if it is something that all women are doing all the time. Because all women's periods come as such a shock to them each month, obvs we are never prepared and have to rely on all these TWs walking around ready to help us out HmmConfused (sure, sometimes it's early etc, but most women know when they are due).

Anyway, no, I have never been asked or had to ask a stranger. I have asked friends and been asked by friends.

JacquesHammer · 01/09/2019 08:44

I am surprised anyone does

I’m surprised anyone doesn’t!!

I’ve been asked, never had to ask.

DD gets asked quite regularly at school because she always has supplies on her Grin

hopeishere · 01/09/2019 08:46

I've never been asked but if asked would gladly help.

I did once have to run round the offices in work begging for a tampon when my period started unexpectedly and I was just about to start interviewing people for a job so I'd no time to go to the shop.

sheshootssheimplores · 01/09/2019 08:46

The only conversation about sanitary wear I remember having past school age was with a colleague who had unexpectedly started her period and was desperate. We worked in a predominantly male workplace, I was pregnant so had nothing. I ended up driving her to the local shop so she could purchase some pads.

cantfindname · 01/09/2019 08:47

I am way beyond the age of needing them but still carry a few tampons in my bag. Surprising how often I have been asked given my age ;)

AwkwardSquad · 01/09/2019 08:48

Never been asked, never asked myself, never noticed anyone asking someone else in a public loo. Have improvised with loo roll on more than one occasion, until I can get home or to a shop.

I do think the current trend of little baskets of free menstrual supplies in loos is great and hope it continues.

Cookit · 01/09/2019 08:48

I don’t think I’d ask anyone.

I would very rarely carry sanitary items with me so I wouldn’t assume that most women carried them, so it could mean asking 10 + strangers until someone had one.

WoollyFoolly · 01/09/2019 08:49

I've asked a colleague (and been asked) and have been asked by a friend of my DD when she had an accident at our house (she didn't ask or mention it to any of the other teens/her friends at our house at the time). As a teenager/young woman I have had many situations where I was caught short and just used toilet roll wads. On one memorable occasion, for the entirety of a week long school trip to France! Was too mortified at the time to mention it to anyone.

RHTawneyonabus · 01/09/2019 08:51

I’ve asked for a wipes having had a baby with an unexpected poonami and two wipes left in my pack. Been asked for condoms a couple of times when younger. But never had to ask or been asked for sanitary protection. Usually there is a machine or a shop nearby and I’d rather do that than buttonhole a random stranger. I guess I would if there was no sensible alternative

Are you referring to the person known as JY who seems to think that women’s changing rooms / loos are something like they are depicted in Police Academy films or similar where hot women wander around in the nude and chat to randoms about their bodily functions?

CuntAmongstThePigeons · 01/09/2019 08:51

I've asked many times over the years! But I'm dreadfully disorganized and often forget house keys and wallet let alone tampons. I think I've only been asked once myself though. I'm surprised some people are suprised tbh.

mamaraah · 01/09/2019 08:52

I Have never asked anybody for a spare tampon/ pad. I'd help somebody if I have spare though.

cookiechomper · 01/09/2019 08:55

I've never asked someone, I normally have one with me and if I didn't I'd probably just quickly buy some. I've only ever been asked by people I know a bit, such as people in a toddler group I go to, never by a stranger.

JacquesHammer · 01/09/2019 08:56

Because all women's periods come as such a shock to them each month, obvs we are never prepared and have to rely on all these TWs walking around ready to help us out hmmconfused (sure, sometimes it's early etc, but most women know when they are due)

Maybe they’ve finally answered the perennial “what is the definition of a woman” question.

“I carry sanpro” Wink

beanaseireann · 01/09/2019 08:58

Canada
JY
I'm lost Hmm
Never been asked.

LucieFurr · 01/09/2019 09:00

I've been asked several times. Not a problem

C8H10N4O2 · 01/09/2019 09:03

I've been asked once or twice but only within the confines of women's loos (and one was a woman I knew so not a stranger). So I'd say it happens but its pretty uncommon. Most workplace/commercial space loos have machines in and I'm more likely to see someone using those.

CadburysTastesVileNow · 01/09/2019 09:05

I’ve had to ask for change for the machine once or twice

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