WAITROSE: renaming feminine products as period products to be more "inclusive" after a complaint.

[SunshinDay]

I thought we had seen the back of the maddness ? What are they thinking ?

*feminine !! Arghhh

Period products is a much better descriptor than feminine products.

I mean, they are period products aren’t they? Feminine means more than just periods surely. It’s a bit of a coy term really. Can’t get worked up about this.

I prefer the term “period products”. “Feminine products” always sounded a bit euphemistic, as if having a period was something that happened to dainty ladies.

Actually, personally, I prefer period products. Can we keep feminine care too though for all the rest of the stuff.

I was going to say I much prefer period products, than the euphemimistic "feminine products". There is no embarrassment or shame in advertising that periods exist.

We all know only women have periods.

This is their reasoning

Period is fine with me

actually prefer it to “feminine” as I am a woman and not especially feminine

I’m an FWR stalwart and this one if fine with me. “Feminine” care has always bugged me though.

Well their reasoning is naff but the end result is a positive one so I’m a bit torn on this one.

I hate the term feminine hygiene products, as if periods are so dirty and unhygienic the word shouldn’t even be said publicly. Same as pad ads using blue liquid instead of red to demonstrate absorbency.

So right idea, wrong motivation.

Sanitary towel is actually a horrible description the more you think about it

Aww bless you OP. This didn’t really go your way, did it?! Perhaps be reasonable for a minute: what would you honestly prefer products for periods to be called? “Feminine products” is frilly and fussy, “period products” is direct, to the point and makes it very clear what they are for.

I actually don't mind this one. They're not replacing it with a "gender neutral term" because only women get periods 🤷‍♀️.

Period products is a much better name.

"Feminine products" is a twee euphemism thought up by people who talk in hushed tones about monthlies, the curse, or being "visited by Auntie Flo". Ridiculous.

Thinking that period products is the right name does not mean that you believe men can have periods.

I never feel less feminine than when I'm on my period. Hard to be dainty and pretty when I'm bleeding like a paper cup with the bottom cut out and in agony.

Period products is fine with me.

Like most of the thread I think ‘period products’ is a really good change compared to ‘feminine hygiene’ which is awful. Imagine if they were switching the names the other way? Wouldn’t you be outraged that the very gendered ‘feminine’ was being used about something that is all about female biology?

I agree. I also always hated the term "sanitary towels". Like no-one was allowed to day "period". "Feminine hygiene" is even worse, implying women are intrinsically dirty. As many religions and cultures do when menstruating, of course.

I’m glad they’re changing it. ‘Feminine hygiene products’ is just urgh

I agree with you that the reason for the change is stupid

but I too prefer period products. I particularly hate feminine hygiene.

I think I might prefer Female Products. Period Products is ok but I wonder if we used more scientific language might we move away from social language. Menstruation Products might be better.

If this is just a change for period products then fine, that is an accurate descriptor. Are other products being relabelled too eg Men's Toiletries, what about the the other items that are traditionally in the 'Feminine' aisle, Hopefully they become Women's Toiletries

Even the word 'period' is a twee euphemism, though - albeit one that has come to be normalised over time to be understood as referring to menstruation. A 'period' just denotes a vague span of time, so it's not really that different from if they called them 'time of the month products'.

'Feminine' is much worse, though, as it makes it sound like it's a virtuous 'ladylike' hobby choice, rather than a basic biological function for half of the population, for decades of their lives. It's interesting how Waitrose didn't care about butch lesbians having to seek out 'feminine care' products; yet when a group of women who don't like to accept that they are women complain, they're right on it.

I really don't see why they can't just call them 'menstrual products', as that's clearly what they are - and (female) people who need them, whatever they like to 'identify' as, know very well what they are and they're for. Why is a coy euphemism needed for these products at all - it's not like there's anything remotely bad, abnormal or shameful about them?

Another who prefers period products, but angry about reason. They could have announced the change as coming from a refusal to dance about with silly euphemisms, as periods are obviously nothing to be embarrassed about. Or just not announced it at all. But no, they want to make absolutely sure we're aware they're not doing it help women. Just in case there might have been any doubt.

I like it.
I dont care why they are doing it.
Period products is nice, accurate language and better than the coy feminine blah blah crap.