Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Vagina havers

51 replies

GNCQ · 28/04/2021 22:25

I have had a reasonable reply from Tampax after complaining about the use of the word "vagina havers" instead of women/girls in one of their articles about swimming on your period. I've copied it below.

I understand you are unhappy the verbiage on the website, and that you find it misogynistic. I recognize how you feel, and am going to pass along your comments to make your voice heard

Please know the most significant impact on our company, and its products is input from consumers like you. We appreciate your time, and value your feedback.

Thanks again for reaching out, it was a privilege to help you. I encourage you to let us know anytime you have questions or comments - we are here for you.

The article many of us complained about has now been removed.

It's an important question "can you swim on your period?" what all those sharks and such, so I do hope they reinstate the article with more sensitive wording.

The rest of their website does overuse "you" this and "your" that, but doesn't erase women and girls entirely and no longer seems to reduce us to genitals.

Congrats women here xx

OP posts:

toffeebutterpopcorn · 28/04/2021 22:27

Verbiage? What a word! Verbal garbage?

Well done though!

yourhairiswinterfire · 28/04/2021 22:27

Wow, that's a decent response for a change!

Ifyourefeelingsinister · 28/04/2021 22:29

Wow, they listened! So good to read of all the women speaking up on this page - and actually being heard.

AfternoonToffee · 28/04/2021 22:32

Excellent news. Hopefully the sharks will stay away.

CelestialGalaxy · 28/04/2021 22:33

Yeah they are off to change it to the softer more priviledged version...womb bearer

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 28/04/2021 22:35

Kudos, OP.

It might well be that there are some on the staffing body of these companies who see this nonsense for what it is. The response was much more conciliatory than usually seen on these threads. Perhaps this respondent was only too pleased that a customer complaint gives them a valid reason for removing it.

I also can't help feeling disbelief that phrases like 'swimming vagina havers' are taken in any way seriously. When you compare this with Bodyform's far superior effort last year, Tampax have failed to read the room on this one.

Another small victory for common sense.

AfternoonToffee · 28/04/2021 22:36

As long as they don't change the sharks to dolphins as that's a whole other can of worms.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 28/04/2021 22:36

PS. I agree with the PP that 'verbiage' is a pretty self-deprecating description. I think that says a lot!

LadyBuffOfBuffdonia · 28/04/2021 22:38

Bit more importantly did you correct them about sharks and a drop of blood in the ocean?

Original poster

GNCQ · 28/04/2021 22:39

@AfternoonToffee

As long as they don't change the sharks to dolphins as that's a whole other can of worms.

Haha sharks dolphins and worms all at once!

OP posts:

TinselAngel · 28/04/2021 22:47

Vagina's brother Nigel, and niece Kenya will be pleased. (RIP previous thread).

SEE123 · 28/04/2021 23:08

Well done OP. As you're on a roll, could you kindly ask the twits to remove it from here also:

tampax.com/en-us/tampon-truths/do-tampons-take-your-virginity/

Or do please tell me how you initially contacted them?

RedDogsBeg · 28/04/2021 23:14

That response sounds very American Customer Service Speak.

Well done for reaching out GNCQ

Sharks, dolphins, worms - we had wolves mentioned on another thread too, we're building quite the menagerie.

Original poster

GNCQ · 29/04/2021 07:57

@SEE123

Well done OP. As you're on a roll, could you kindly ask the twits to remove it from here also:

tampax.com/en-us/tampon-truths/do-tampons-take-your-virginity/

Or do please tell me how you initially contacted them?

Oh no they still use the phrase on another article!

I went to the "contact us" area then clicked on the big @ for "email us" and I emailed.

OP posts:

Original poster

GNCQ · 29/04/2021 08:04

I was having a brief look and came across another ridiculous phrase "women and other people who bleed".
I mean, "people who bleed" is nonsense.

(I can't be bothered trying to find it again to provide a link, there are so many different areas and articles most starting with "Hi I'm a gynecologist!")

My Dad sometimes cuts his finger when he's cooking. Am I going to recommend a Tampax to stick in his thumb?

I don't know why they avoid "people who menstruate" so desperately. Is saying "menstruation" stigmatized too now?

OP posts:

Helleofabore · 29/04/2021 09:00

"women and other people who bleed"

Maybe the posters who support these inclusive language changes can tell us if this is ok by their standards.

In the meantime, I will wait with that song line running through my head like an ear worm.

littlbrowndog · 29/04/2021 09:01

It’s bizarre

Everyone bleeds

Cut your finger and nothing happens would be a medical phenomenon

Babdoc · 29/04/2021 09:01

TinselAngel

MammaSchwifty · 29/04/2021 11:00

I also can't help feeling disbelief that phrases like 'swimming vagina havers' are taken in any way seriously.

likewise, it's totally insane. I suppose at least it's not exclusionary of female-bodied otters, whales, seals, and other aquatic lifeforms of a mammalian persuasion.

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 29/04/2021 11:02

Well done GNCQ

Good response there

Even if they dont agree at least they not just dismissing everyone who has an issue with it

MammaSchwifty · 29/04/2021 11:04

...now I'm imagining what size a whale tampon would need to be

TheWeeDonkey · 29/04/2021 11:44

I'm sorry but the only thing that stuck with me from the original thread is that Vagina Havers is related to Nigel Havers, Lady Kenya Havers and Penis Havers. Oh and cat tampons...maybe thats where the big pink gloves come in handy 😂

Sophoclesthefox · 29/04/2021 11:53

@MammaSchwifty

...now I'm imagining what size a whale tampon would need to be

This is not an image I thought I would ever have in my head 😳

Well done GNCQ, decent outcome.

Did you know there was a bit of a schism in the Havers family? Not sure it involved either Vagina or Nigel themselves, but there was definitely a lot of bad blood between the Havers and the Havers-Knotts.

LadyBuffOfBuffdonia · 29/04/2021 12:25

Just found this little nugget.
^Although whales go through a reproductive cycle like all mamals, most species actually don't menstrate. In fact, most mamals, aside from primates and a few other species go through what's known as a Estrous cycle. In this cycle, tissue isn't shed off of the uterus like in human menstration, but is instead re-absorbed back into the mamals body. Whales do this too. One reason for this is because if whales were to leave a large amount of their blood in the water, it would attract predators and parasites.^

Apparently only certain bats and elephant shrews have periods. Anyone want to invent a teeny tiny tampon and pink glove kit for them? There is a gap in the market.

Happy whales don't have periods. Was worried about sharks, as was sure they'd lose more than a few tablespoons.

Helleofabore · 29/04/2021 12:32

Happy whales don't have periods. Was worried about sharks, as was sure they'd lose more than a few tablespoons.

Flip

1 2 3