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

[TurtleyLost]

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?

I got caught out once about 30 years ago. I was using public toilets (remember them??!!!) and nipped out of my cubicle to use the sanpro machine. A very kind lady offered me a tampon which I accepted gratefully. Since then I always have a couple of slim, individually wrapped towels in the zippy up bit of my handbag so that I am in a position to help someone else. Have been able to help with paracetamol and plasters but,to date, never sanpro!

I've never asked nor been asked. I always have some in my bag and would happily give away if needed.

No, but Yaniv has.

spectator.us/yaniv-scandal-end-product-trans-activism/

I've never asked but was once asked by someone else. Didn't think much of it tbh.

Yes I have. I've asked and been asked. I suppose it's less likely to happen now that a lot of toilets have free sanitary products provided.

You could just admit that this is about trans people though.

I've asked and been asked.

@beanaseireann
Are you being serious about not understanding the JY / Canadian connection? www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/27/male-genitalia-week-in-patriarchy-women I just came across this article also spectator.us/jessica-yaniv-twitter-jail/

I definitely don't think it's common. I've experienced it once in decades of using public bathrooms.

What does it have to do with trans people?

Never been asked. Have asked to swap cash to get the right change to get a tampon from the machine though.

Have asked colleagues.

Once. I got asked in a nightclub and gladly handed a tampon over.
I always carry a couple with me because you never know.
But is this a TAAT? Am I missing something?

I would have had to ask on Saturday if there hadn’t been tampon vending in the toilets. There are lots of reasons women’s periods are irregular. I’ve only had a couple since having a baby over a year ago.

Alot of public loos / library / cafes / hospitals, provide free items now (period poverty)
Iv given to plenty of these places, so if available i would use one and replace when i could

Iv never asked someone, but i would
Afew people have asked me in toilets

I haven't, but only because I'm lucky and haven't needed to. I absolutely would ask if I needed to.

No, I’d just make a temporary pad with toilet paper.

I’ve never had to ask, but I’ve been asked maybe twice, so not a common occurrence. I always have a pad and a couple of tampons in my bag, so happy to help out if needed.

I’ve asked once when I get caught out. A women very kindly gave me a spare. I was so grateful I even offered her £1 but she didn’t accept. I’d happily help anyone else who was caught out.

It’s annoying there seem to be less machines now for emergencies.

Who are these people who assume a temporary pad with toilet paper would work for everyone? I considered that on Saturday and decided it would be a messy disaster.

I was asked once by a young woman in a café toilet who looked like she was on her way to work. No problem, I gave her what I had.

I've had to ask colleagues a couple of times over the years. Again, nobody was bothered and between them they sorted me out.

The tampon machine swallowed my money without dispensing recently.
I must have looked panicked (didn't have any more change) and a woman next to me offered me one from her bag. I was SO grateful!!

I've never had to. I would if I had to though.

What does it have to do with trans people?

It is something that a number of them have asked about 'what do I say/do if a girl approaches me asking for a tampon'. It is part of the validation for them to feel they pass well enough that a female asks them for help. But, as this thread shows, very few of us ever or very rarely get asked.

It is not a TAAT. There was a thread linking an article about a totally different aspect. It mentioned this in the article, which may have triggered the thought, which is how a lot of threads start.

No, I've never asked or been asked by a stranger in 30something years. A friend yes, once or twice. If I was caught out unexpectedly, I'd improvise, like most women I think.

MashedSpud
That would have to be very temporary for some women. Say 10 mins.

Don’t remember ever being asked.

I think it’s far more common to be asked for a fag even though far less people smoke as a percentage of the population due to vaping and public awareness.

I don't think I ever asked. I may have been asked once but rarely carried supplies around. I think I do have a very thin pad lurking in my handbag that was a UTI precaution. Wouldn't have been any use to me when I still had (awful) periods.

I’ve had to ask before - I was at a wedding, it started a week early, there were no vending machines and miles from any shops. And a toilet paper pad would have lasted about 5 minutes. I have also been asked a few times. Like a pp said, the vending machines have all but disappeared from toilets round this way.