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Have you ever asked a stranger for san pro?

71 replies

BogglesGoggles · 01/09/2019 15:27

Not a taat but another thread got me wondering. Has anyone ever asked a stranger in the bathroom for a tampon/pad? I’ve never ever done that nor witnessed it. Surely it’s an urban legend and doesn’t actually happen?

OP posts:
AutumnalLeaves38 · 01/09/2019 16:06

I've been asked.

On at least 4 different occasions in shop/restaurant/cafe loos by clearly-mortified-but-desperate teens/young 20s.

I must give off a maternal vibe or something!

Have been happy to help out:
I remember once being caught out in that situation as a 14yr, and feeling way too self-conscious to ask a stranger for help.

Still remember the horror of being convinced all the way home on that 55 minute bus journey that my DIY pad (loo paper) was publicly leaking (it wasn't, fortunately).

AwkwardSquad · 01/09/2019 16:08

Why two threads on the same subject? Starting to feel like fishing now, and if it is, fuck off.

NotTonightJosepheen · 01/09/2019 16:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

crazycatgal · 01/09/2019 16:13

No I haven't but I'd be happy to help anyone who asked me if I had pads/tampons in my bag.

HermioneWeasley · 01/09/2019 16:18

No, have been asked by a colleague once or twice

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 01/09/2019 16:20

'San pro'. Was staring at it wondering if it was a type of painkiller, maybe? Oh. Pads. Right. Please don't let anyone ask me for San pro, I will stare stupidly at them for a solid minute and then, finally, say '... Eh?'

Leakinglikeacolander · 01/09/2019 16:22

@NotTonightJosepheen seriously m to f trans folk are suggesting this is a regular occurrence?

PinkBuffalo · 01/09/2019 16:27

No I haven't
But i have offered when on the transport coach from the airport in another country several suitcases/bags hadn't turned up and people had very little until they did. I said if any ladies needed any sanitary products I had some spare (I was lucky and had my suitcase)

Smellslikebiscuits · 01/09/2019 16:34

I’ve been asked before, and felt disproportionately dreadful that I didn’t have any to give.

sorrythisusernameistaken · 01/09/2019 16:49

Yeah been asked and would also asked if I needed one

NotTonightJosepheen · 01/09/2019 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Northie · 01/09/2019 16:56

Yes in school, work, bathrooms & clubs. None have ever called it 'san pro' though Confused

ShakeItOffShakeItOff · 01/09/2019 16:58

I've asked a few times and been asked a lot but I'm a teacher so it's usually by teenagers. I leave them out in my bathrooms at home despite only using reusable myself. You've reminded me to check if we need to stock up at home.

Redglitter · 01/09/2019 17:01

Cant honestly see why a second thread was warranted

WhatGetsMeDownMakesMeStronger · 01/09/2019 17:03

I've been asked lots of times

AutumnCrow · 01/09/2019 17:08

No. I've lived in cities and rural areas, and I'm in my 50s, and have never ever been asked for a tampon by a stranger.

Because there are tampon machines in women's bogs.

Onlythelonelywelcome · 01/09/2019 17:09

Cant honestly see why a second thread was warranted
Or the first

AutumnCrow · 01/09/2019 17:11

I've asked a few times and been asked a lot but I'm a teacher

Those girls aren't strangers, though. Which is what OP is asking.

(Btw I support our local Big Red Box project and a massive thank you for your care and insight.)

Mrsfrumble · 01/09/2019 17:16

Only once by a stranger. She was clearly homeless, and specifically asking for money to buy tampons or pads. I had no money on me but had a handful of pads in my bag that I gladly handed over. I wish I found an ATM and gone back with some cash for her. What a shitty way to have to live.

SunshineCake · 01/09/2019 17:16

I can't remember being asked but I would always hand one over if asked as always have some in my handbag. I'm more often asked for poo bags for dog business.

C0untDucku1a · 01/09/2019 17:20

I asked customer services last week at a visitors centre type place.

Im a teacher and I frequently get asked for some by teen girls. I have them Stashed all over the place at work and always have a few in my bag. Always one in those towel tins you can get, to them over discretely. The teen girls love those. I think word got out that i have so many Grin

A colleague asked me twice in six months in my
Previous job. We were in the toilets at the same
Time. a colleague has asked me recently so i told her where the secret stash was and i noticed in summer someone had added to it. Assume it was her.

Ive had to go to the first aider at work more than once to get a towel and even a Pair of clean knicks once due to flooding. As a high school we are thankfully set up for that kind of accident.

I also used to ask at Asda customer services every visit for a nappy when my children were in them.

SinkGirl · 01/09/2019 17:23

I had to ask in the local cancer treatment centre once. I had taken my mum in as she was unwell during a course of treatment. Then my period started unexpectedly- I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and it’s basically 0-100 in 60 seconds. I asked the staff, I asked visitors I asked everyone (with half a loo roll stuffed in my pants). In the end I had to leave my mum there. I’ve never been anywhere without several pads since.

Chillisauceboss · 01/09/2019 17:34

I've been asked by a stranger once

TroysMammy · 01/09/2019 17:37

As a teenager on a school exchange in France. Not only did I have to ask my host but also had to ask in French.

A patient asked me if I had any tampax. Even though I don't have periods I have tampons, amongst other things for just in case, in my box in work.