to ask if you use period products in other people's bathrooms?

[YayChristmas2019]

Just that, really.

I am torn about whether I should continue the long-lived tradition of having some tampons and pads visible and accessible in the bathroom so guests can grab one if needed or if I just shouldn't bother.

Last box was gifted away prior to us moving and I have not used disposable period products in ages, so no urgent need to buy any.

I know people do grab them occasionally but the last box lasted ~5 years and was still half full.

I wonder whether it would make a difference if I put it in a pretty box with a lid and a sign with something like "Period stuff, grab what you need :)" so it is less noticable for other guests if someone took something?

We are hosting people quite frequently, it makes a difference.

YANBU - Put a box of stuff in the bathroom again
YABU - Don't bother

(I know, I know, first world problems - mostly asking out of curiosity!)

I have spares in my bag but if I did run out I'd just ask. I wouldn't put out period things, it is a considerate thought though.

Never. I have my own. A sign would freak me out.

I wouldn’t put them out, anyone I know well enough to stay in my home I know well enough for them to ask me if I have a tampon!

I don't think there's any harm in having them on display is a little basket, if someone needed it I'm sure they'd just use it.
Not something I've ever done though as I don't ever have anyone round who would be uncomfortable just asking me for some. I don't actually have any though as I've used a mooncup or washable pads for 10 years now.

How often do you have guests? If you have lots of guests, and not just very close friends who'd just ask, maybe. But you're not a guesthouse or hotel, it's your bathroom, so tbh you should only have to stock products that you need to use yourself.

Having some available is a nice though but a sign seems really OTT. I think most people carry spares but if you get caught out, wouldn’t they just ask (or look in a bathroom cupboard?)

We have a basket in the bathroom anyway with a range of products in (house of women!).

I've told DD to direct her friends to the basket if they need anything, or if they need anything else to either ask me or her to ask me and I'll see what is in the cupboard.

I don't think a sign is necessary.

I would never just take them - if I was caught out I would ask my host if it was OK to take one. Although if there was a little sign like you suggest, and I needed one, then I suppose I would take one! It sounds like a nice thing to do.

I wonder whether it would make a difference if I put it in a pretty box with a lid and a sign with something like "Period stuff, grab what you need smile" so it is less noticable for other guests if someone took something?

I think this is one of the weirder things I've read on here in a while. Not only are you asking if you should buy products you don't use in case a guest might need them, but you are asking if you should semi-hide them in a pretty lidded box with a coy sign, in case these guests are then embarrassed that other guests know that they have helped themselves to a tampon? Seriously?

Honestly, OP, no, not necessary. Any more than I would stock shampoo for blonde hair in case I have a blonde visitor who didn't bring her own.

As pp said, you're not running a guest house.

If I were in someone else's house and needed a tampon - unlikely though, as I'm 71 and haven't had periods for nearly 20 years - I would be far more comfortable asking for a tampon than just helping myself from someone else's supply in their bathroom; no matter how tastefully they were displayed.

When I had periods I always kept a couple of tampons in my handbag. I assume women nowadays are similarly prepared.

Cannot see any reason why you think it's your responsibility to cater for other women's menstrual needs.

All friends and family staying over is told to help themselves to whatever they need in the bathroom they use. There's a some soap, bubble bath and shampoo... on a shelf in the bath, but everything else is in a small cupboard they are told to use - so spare toilet tissue, hair dryer, cotton, period stuff, toothbrushes and toothpaste.. Just the basics that can be useful.

If people are close enough to sleep in my house, they are close enough to help themselves especially when invited to!

I guess if you have a teenage DD whose friends might be uncomfortable asking it might be a nice thing to do, but otherwise I wouldn't bother. I know I'm usually prepared as are my friends, and if I was caught out I wouldn't feel embarrassed asking a friend for something, and I'd hope my friends felt the same about asking me. Just seems a bit of overkill for something that's not likely to be needed often at all.

A sign is ott
I keep a box in our downstairs loo so people can ‘borrow’ one if they need to as I rarely use that bathroom. But don’t draw attention to it.
And I can’t imagine any other guests are counting how many are in there to see if they can tell one of the other guests has used one.
Are you a period troll?!

Don't do the sign! You're not a hotel, and I would find that really odd in a family home. I don't leave stuff out, surely people will ask if they're caught short, or if they're too shy to ask then to be crude, use loo roll temporarily for emergencies until they can pop out to a shop? But I live in a city with 24hour shopping

I bring my own and I even carry a nappy bag so that they don't go in the bin, I take them home and put them in my bin. Now I've written that down it looks a bit mad.

It was after I once found a used pad dumped in my bin blood side up, not even wrapped in toilet paper.

I probably wouldn't use a friend's but that's very good of you.

My mum had a box of sanpro in the most obvious bathroom cabinet someone might open if they were looking for them. No signage, just counted on common sense (and desperation of guests).

I’ll do the same soon, what with having a DD nearing puberty and her friends visiting a lot. My mates are fine to ask me directly, those that aren’t post-menopause.

I suspect (and hope) that my DD’s generation will be more open and just ask outright in mixed company when they get caught short. Or likely have mooncups with them. A decade from now I’m guessing they’ll be a bit hostile to find me harbouring such anti-planet things as tampons and pads in the house!

Mum keeps pads out for us in the bathroom. They’re really useful to be honest, especially when your period is heavier than normal.

I started consciously leaving a selection out (rather than just what I used myself) when my dd was approaching puberty and just carried on- there were always teenage girls in and out. I still do- because she still visits a lot, I have younger women friends, and because anyone who is made uncomfortable by the sight of towels and tampons seriously needs to get over themselves and I am happy to help!

I have loads of teen girls visiting frequently, so I have the full works, easily accessible in cupboard in cloakroom/lav. Proper bins and paper sacks too (we run an office so I take some for home too). And paracetamol. Wouldn't want teens to be embarrassed about asking.

And I’d be perfectly happy if anyone using f my bathroom took one. Did I mention I don’t mind tradespeople using my bathroom?

I think a little basket and a sign would be a lovely idea. I'm assuming you know some of your guests wouldn't be comfortable asking or just taking them. Lots of toilets in restaurants/hotels/community centres offer something similar so I don't think it's that odd. Most people won't notice it but if someone needs it, then they will.

I do put mine in a drawer that's accessible from the loo and would be totally fine if somebody helped themselves - but I don't think it's necessary to actually put them out with a sign and stuff.

Generally I have my own with me, plus I stay with family/close friends so would just rummage or ask. However there have been times when it would have been useful to find a pad in someone else's bathroom. I think a cheap packet of pads in an easily found place (ie, at the front of the most obvious cupboard) would be fine in any situation. I don't think you need to stock a range or even tampons as everyone I know is particular about brands/applicator style etc

The vast Majority of women are organised enough to have some in the handbag/in with babies changing bag.

If you get a lot of female visitors leave them in your bathroom just in case but god no sign, it’s your home not a office toilet you really don’t need signs