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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:
RezCowgirl · 01/09/2019 09:38

I can't remember, I've probably been asked in a pub or club toilet over the years but I don't think I've asked for some. Certainly not in recent years because of the mirena.

I wouldn't think twice about it which is probably why I don't remember.

WoollyFoolly · 01/09/2019 09:42

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

“I carry sanpro” wink*

JY actually used that to 'prove' JY has periods in a livestream. JY fished a pad out of JY's bag and said why would I have one of these if I wasn't a woman with periods.

Grafittiqueen · 01/09/2019 09:42

I've never been asked. I would also improvise with loo roll rather than ask a stranger.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Beauty
zebrasdontwearbras · 01/09/2019 09:43

I've never asked, and never been asked by a stranger in public toilets. Was asked once by a colleague, at work, and was happy to help her.

For those that don't know - J Yaniv is a trans MTF who claims to have periods - despite having a male body. Yaniv is obsessed with women's toilets and sanitary products, and fantasises online about helping young girls with tampons Hmm

Yaniv is one of the reasons that feminists campaign to keep women only spaces, like toilets, for females only.

ScreamingValenta · 01/09/2019 09:46

In the days when I had periods, I wouldn't leave the house without a couple of sanitary towels and some painkillers - so I never had to ask anyone.

For ages after my hysterectomy I kept finding my emergency sanpro caches in handbags and pockets!

revelsandrose · 01/09/2019 09:46

I've never been asked, but absolutely wouldn't mind if somebody asked me. In relation to asking I think it would depend, how heavy, if there were shops nearby, I'd rather not ask and haven't had to, but if I couldn't really manage to get to a shop I would ask.

SpinsterOfArts · 01/09/2019 09:59

I asked friends a couple of times as a disorganised teenager. I'd never ask a stranger and haven't been asked by anyone I didn't know.

SarahTancredi · 01/09/2019 10:04

You mean its not normal to walk around with specifically sourced non gendered boxes of tampons in a sandwich bag to hand out to strangers in a loo? Shock

I thought people just wanted to pee...

I have an idea, send those tampons and towels to food banks and schools instead.

OutComeTheWolves · 01/09/2019 10:05

I haven't but I have been asked more than once in women's toilets if I'm selling any pills. I nearly always have a random 5 year old tampon in my bag; I never have E or any other drugs in my bag so I clearly need to work on the vibe I'm giving off.

Fuiseog · 01/09/2019 10:06

I've been asked by strangers in public areas and by both friends and acquaintances at work.
I've never asked but never had to. I remember almost needing to once - realising it was starting early while at work - but my place of work was beside a shop and I had a bit of time to nip out. I was nervous at the thought of having to ask at the time, in my very early twenties, but now it wouldn't bother me if I had to ask. People are nice.

amandacarnet · 01/09/2019 10:08

I don't smoke. I have been asked for a fag a lot of times over the years, more often when more people smoked.
Asking a friend or work colleague is very different from asking a stranger.
I doubt trans people will ever be asked for a tampon, even if they do pass, it rarely happens. But if they are you just say sorry I don't have one. Just as I said to anyone who has asked me for a fag over the years.
It is a non issue. Unless you are getting off on being asked this by young girls. Then I can see you would want to talk about it a lot.

MargueritaBlue · 01/09/2019 10:09

Never asked a stranger or been asked by a stranger.

I used to keep a supply of sanitary products on the bottom shelf of my bookcase at work so anyone at work caught short could help themselves.

Daffodil2018 · 01/09/2019 10:15

Yes, I've done this, both ways. No big deal.

EssexSexpot · 01/09/2019 10:18

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.

I still don't really get it. Surely they could just say they don't have one? Or if they do carry them, hand one over?

Just seems like a bit of a storm in a teacup tbh.

MargueritaBlue · 01/09/2019 10:22

Yes, I've done this, both ways. No big deal

The question wasn't whether it was a big deal/ would you ask/ would you help?
Of course one would help if asked if one had spares.

The question was "does this actually happen"? The answer being - very, very, very rarely.

KennDodd · 01/09/2019 10:25

I would if I was desperate. I would also be selective about who I asked. First off, I wouldn't bother asking a man, regardless how they identified. Secondly, no point asking a pensioner. It would have to be an adult woman around the same age as me. In that if I was a teenager, I'd try to ask another teen. As an adult in my 40s I wouldn't ask a teen because I wouldn't want to embarrass them.

KennDodd · 01/09/2019 10:29

And in answer to the question the only time I've had anything even close to this happen (aside from friends) was my very first period, started on a Sunday during a day at the beach in the 1980s so no shops open. I was with my aunt, she managed to get a pad from somewhere for me.

helloisitmeyourelookingfor · 01/09/2019 10:33

The only conversation I've ever had in a public toilet are 'are you in the queue?' type conversations

I've also never heard anyone else asking

-at work and school yes, but not in a public loo

Socksontheradiator · 01/09/2019 10:36

No. I thought of the Canadian too.
Obviously is someone asked I'd be happy to assist.
I did once have to do an SOS around the women at work.
I think we can all agree that we are usually well organised, would ask/help a stranger in an emergency, but it's not very common.
And in general nobody gets worked up about it.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 01/09/2019 10:51

Never asked and never been asked by a stranger

I dont carry supplies unless I’m actually on and going to be out of the house for a while...so I probably assume everyone else does the same Grin

I would obviously ask a friend or work colleague and the other way round

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 01/09/2019 10:53

Disney world give you sanitary towels...which was nice when dd came on

BertrandRussell · 01/09/2019 11:07

It’s a bit weird when you think about it that they don’t put them in the little amenity pack things you get in hotels and planes and things. More useful than a shoeshine cloth.....

Mummyoflittledragon · 01/09/2019 11:09

Woolly
Isn’t that because JY claims to be intersex and have both genitalia?

Propertyofhood · 01/09/2019 11:13

I opened this assuming it was about JY.

I have never been asked by a stranger, only by women I know. Its not really a regular thing is it, because women who actually have periods are generally (not always, but generally) prepared and also don't see asking and giving out sanitary products as some sort of validation of their womanhood, because they don't need that validation.

kenandbarbie · 01/09/2019 11:22

Only by people I know, and actually I'm not even sure that has happened. Have seen many people using the tampon machine and used it myself though. Have also just used toilet paper till I could buy in a shop or get home many times!