to have my tampons on display?

[ElleGrace]

Hi there,
This is actually my first post on here (despite me being an avid mumsnetter for the past 5+ years!) so bare with!
Basically, OH and I have recently moved in to a new place together and are having a ridiculous rather silly debate over whether or not it is socially acceptable to have (unused) tampons on display in the bathroom.
To my way of thinking, anyone who enters our home will be perfectly aware that I, a woman, have a menstrual cycle and therefore use some form of feminine product in my bathroom. The only hidden storage we have in the bathroom is on the opposite side of the room to the toilet, which is an inconvenience to get to. Therefore, I have a glass jar of tampons on the shelf right next to the toilet, alongside many other glass jars filled with cotton buds, cotton pads, candles etc. IMO, there is no difference in seeing a tampon in the bathroom than seeing something like a cotton bud.
On the other hand, my OH argues that although people are aware I use tampons, they don't really need to see proof of it. He compared it to having a jar of condoms in the bathroom.
I understand this is a really ridiculous argument, but it really got me thinking as to whether I should really have to hide my feminine products in my own home, or as to whether I'm simply being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.
I'd love to hear your opinions on this trivial matter, and I'd also like to know whether your products are hidden from view too.

And that thing about them being available for guests - guests should sort their own sanitary arrangements out. I carry spares in my handbag, I would never expect there to be any available in other people's houses.

When my mil visited after my baby was born she went to the toilet, came down and called me through to the kitchen to tell me she's hidden the maternity pads that were left on the back of the toilet just incase my husband saw them. I don't think she expected me to laugh.

Are periods something to be ashamed of? I don't think so. It's just as private and natural as wiping your bum... get one of those hideous toilet roll dollies for the loo roll instead :)

Mine are in a box on the shelf by the loo, in plain view of anyone. It had never occurred to me to hide them. As a PP said, do you keep the loo roll hidden in case the idea of people using that offends anyone, or is that OK because men use it?

In principle I agree with every word you say.

In practice though I would have a non see though container! Just...because.

I actually think it is sociable and hospitable to your female callers to have them on display, then they can take one if they are caught short.
This is actually a lovely idea, and has made me 100% certain I am going to leave them there.
She thought I was being insensitive to 'others' embarassment'... Seriously...?? That I should hide something that was completely natural in case of some theoretical upset of VISITORS in OUR home!
This is exactly my way of thinking. IMO if someone is embarrassed by feminine products THEY are in the wrong not me.
My only conflicting feeling is, as a previous poster has pointed out, that does mean I am making my guests feel uncomfortable by choice, which isn't something I'd like to do.

YANBU, however I think out of love you can humour him.

I have lots of silly little idiosyncrasies like this and I like it when people who love me accept me as I am. UNLESS he's just being misogynistic, in which case, CRUSH HIM. ;)

I don't need them any more, but I have always kept them in the cupboard under the sink. I have never thought of displaying them tbh.

It's not a matter ofhiding things away.
I don't have tampons on display because that's what cupboards and drawers were invented for.
Loo rolls are different. That's used all the time
Even then, I would only have one loo roll out, not the whole multipack.

I don't have cleaning products on display either. The bathroom looks neater if you put things away after using.

I think YABU because I don't like anything lying about - but then I don't have little jars of stuff in the bathroom because erm... its just clutter. put them away and get rid of the clutter.

Yes its fine. Any discomfort anybody might feel at being reminded you menstruate is more than outweighed by the convenience to any guest who, in an emergency, can avail herself.

Tell him he's just failed the first test of modern cohabiting :)

It's no different to having loo roll on display - that's the equivalent purpose, isn't it?

Also, if they're loose in a jar you can use them to spell out words on top of the loo while you endure a particularly recalcitrant poop, such as 'RAGTIME!' or 'JAM TARTS!'

Try that for a few days - soon he'll be relieved to see them simply sitting in the jar.

Mine are kept in a little set of wicker type drawers by the sink, which is right next to the toilet.

Technically they are 'hidden' but that is more to do with how small our bathroom is and my desire for no clutter than the fact I should be hiding them away.

But I'm a bit weird and don't like having anything out on show, everything is put away neatly

What's weird about putting things away - it means you're not a slob.
You shouldn't have to make excuses for being tidy

You should be thoroughly ashamed to be in possession of a uterus and should definitely hide them.

You should also bypass the dairy aisle in the supermarket when on your period in order to avoid curdling the milk.

HTH

Oh no, they can't be visible. what if a guest sees them?

I can't imagine remotely caring what's on someone's bathroom shelf. do men really get embarrassed at the sight of tampons?

are they allowed in shopping trollies or husbands allowed to put them on conveyer belts or do women have go shopping separately just to buy them?

I like Sylvanians' suggestion.

But I am oddly squeamish about this myself (and I'm a woman who menstruates). I keep mine in a tin on the bathroom shelf and wouldn't want them out for others to see.

However, I couldn't care less about seeing other people's in their bathrooms, either in their boxes or in jars. It's just me.

Cover them with a big, red, knitted toilet roll fairy

Or a beige one of these farm6.staticflickr.com/5026/5607192382_0d68a0a112_z.jpg

Obviously YANBU.

I really, really love the fact that you clarified that these are unused tampons in your OP, though

And that thing about them being available for guests - guests should sort their own sanitary arrangements out

Yes, but at some time or other we have all been caught short. I don't think drivingmisspotty was suggesting that female guests come round expecting free feminine products, but if anyone ever was in need of something like that, they'd be more than welcome to help themselves when they are a guest in my home.

Tell him he's just failed the first test of modern cohabiting

^ This made me laugh... I most certainly will!

Can you crochet a cover for the jar a bit like one of these? quirkypurple.com/2013/03/17/crochet-toilet-roll-cover-doll/

I think displaying them in a glass jar is a step too far!! I would never be bold enough to help myself to someone else's tampons anyway so don't get the 'leave out for guests' argument - everyone uses different types anyway.
Mine are in a drawer by the sink upstairs and down hidden away
I bet you hang your knickers on the washing line too

You could decorate it with these cristabellion.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/crocheting-tampons-ornaments-and-fetus.html

I find it a tad bit attention seeking-ish. But it's your bathroom, do whatever you want!

I don't have them on display because I have a cupboard near by.
Before that, I would have the box out (no way I could have been bothered to transferred them into a jar), on the top of the toilet. Just where they are needed.

I have to say there is such a thing as people feeling embarrased. I know my mum never ever had anything on display. Everything was in the cupboard. Most of my friends don't have them on display either. It might be because they have 'a cupboard' or it might more because they feel it's just not a done thing (as your DH says).

Maternity towels are a different species in my book. You should have them everywhere in the house .

As for 'hidding' your tampons in your room.... How practical is that and what sort of message does it give?