# A tampon question. For the ladies. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685 "2005-07-15T18:24:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/41 "2005-07-15T21:44:06Z")
> [@Portia](#): > > I always have spares, thanks to an incident involving white shorts and being unprepared at Cedar Point a full week before I was ‘due’. OMG! I had the same thing happen there, except I was wearing dark shorts, but one of my ‘friends’ was nice enough to depants me!!! Its really hard to explain why you insist upon wearing a sweatshirt tied around your waist when it is 90 million degrees out. That was back in the day when it was really uncool to ask your friends for help, and I was the epitome of ‘cool’…yeah…that’s it…and then there was that time at basketball playoffs, and that time at the state fair…I hated High School sometimes ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/42 "2005-07-15T21:57:06Z")
I always have at least one in my purse. It came in really handy about a month ago when I was at a wedding and the bride had an Emergency. Poor thing. I was more than happy to offer my spare tampon to her. She gratefully accepted. ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/43 "2005-07-15T23:49:21Z")
I don’t generally carry a purse, so there might be something in one of the two purses I own. But I always have at least one in my backpack and in my suitcase (not that that’s much help as my suitcase is 3000 miles away, but regardless). And before I graduated when I still had a desk, I had a change of clothes in my desk drawer. The general theory was for chemical accidents, but also useful all sorts of other accients, most notable getting caught in a large rainstorm dressed in white, but I digress. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/44 "2005-07-16T00:25:26Z")
> [@cowgirl](#): > > Absolutely. > > But it takes planning - if you forget it at home on the wrong day, then you have to go begging. > > That’s why I thank goodness for all the other women in this thread! So how does one bum a tampon? ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/45 "2005-07-16T01:00:09Z")
I’d probably say something like, “I’ve got a bit of an emergency here, can anybody help? I need a tampon or something…” In a women’s restroom I think “emergency” always means something menstrual. And we’ve all been there, so chances are good **somebody** has a tampon or pad on them and is willing to donate it. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/46 "2005-07-16T01:09:09Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > So how does one bum a tampon? I’ve never bummed one myself, b/c like other women in the thread I’ve been scarred for life by being caught without one, so I always carry 'em… But I’ve given away plenty of 'em, usually to co-workers and friends, and it’s kind of funny b/c it varies greatly depending on the woman. Some women act like they’re holding up a bank; I’ve had co-workers walk up to me with a note on a piece of paper that says, “Got a plug?” Words are not exchanged. Occasionally in public bathrooms…and a few times when I was bartending…strange women have walked up to me and murmured, “I’m so sorry…is there any chance you have a tampon?” It’s almost like a drug deal. In public, nobody wants to be seen either giving them out or taking them, or admitting that they need them; they are immediately shoved in purses, pockets, hidden in palms…then the women slink away to the nearest restroom as quickly as humanly possible, thankful that their need was met without being noticed by anyone else. The only people who don’t act this way are friends, when we’re in private. “Hey, got a tampon Audrey?” But in public, even friends act like a tampon could quite possibly contain a WMD, and needs to be handled as carefully and discreetly as if it could go off at any moment. The only time I won’t give out a tampon is if I’m on my period and it’s the last one I’ve got in my purse. Sorry, sister. I don’t like anybody that much. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/47 "2005-07-16T01:15:12Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > So how does one bum a tampon? I don’t think you ‘bum’ them. I think you ‘vag’ them. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/48 "2005-07-16T01:17:04Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > So how does one bum a tampon? “I just got my period! Do you have any supplies I can use?” ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/49 "2005-07-16T01:44:08Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > Especially in a purse where they get jostled and squished and the wrapper tears and then they’re tooling around loose in the bottom so when you pull out your checkbook at the bank you’ve got a little cotton friend dangling from it. And they end up dingy and frayed, which, even though you weren’t going to use them by that point, is somehow worse. ---
**Author:** ![EllaBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a5b964/32.png) [@EllaBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllaBean)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/50 "2005-07-16T02:02:19Z")
due to malnutrition and lack of bodyfat, I don’t menstruate anymore (yet. I suspect I will start again in the not-too-distant future.) but I always carried at least one anyway. I also carried midol. Why? It was pretty much for the same reason I always carry a snack bar that I will never eat. I hated seeing my girlfriends in pain or in need and not being able to do anything to help. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/51 "2005-07-16T02:48:02Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > 😃 Ah, I miss Rik! ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/52 "2005-07-16T02:51:40Z")
Since I have been on the pill, I know what day I start and never carry any til that day. Once I start, however, I carry at least 4 (Super) just to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/53 "2005-07-16T03:27:44Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > So how does one bum a tampon? Well, where I work, most of us will just come back into the room and announce, “That bitch Aunt Flo just showed up, anybody got a tampon?” Any males in the room will proceed to squinch up their faces and wave their hands in the air and go, “Ewww! I didn’t need to know that!” while the females matter-of-factly dig for supplies. We’re a rather informal bunch down there. Of course, since I got my DivaCup I don’t have this problem. I do still carry a few tampons in my purse (non-applicator Ob tampons in the handy dandy plastic carrying case) just in case the crimson tide rolls up on me while I’m out of the house, though. ---
**Author:** ![gruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/57b2e6/32.png) [@gruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gruver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/54 "2005-07-16T03:37:13Z")
i use a keeper now but even when i used tampons i never had them if i wasn’t bleeding or due to start within a day or two. i guess i’ve been lucky. and as for bumming them, i would be discreet but to the point, “gotta tampon?” ---
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/55 "2005-07-16T03:48:06Z")
I always use ‘What’re the chances you have a tampon?’ But there is discretion involved. Older women, women you know have had hysterectomies, and pregnant women are usually not worth asking. I’ve never had to ask a stranger. Raiding cabinets in peoples bathrooms, IMHO is acceptable too, although I might find myself drug into the Pit for spending too much time doing questionable activities in someone else’s bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/56 "2005-07-16T03:50:55Z")
I just say, “Hey, you don’t happen to have a tampon?”. Easy. I always giggle when someone comes up and treats it like a drug deal. I usually drag them by the arm to the closest group of women and say, “Hey ladies, XYZ here needs a tampon.” And like 30 are out-stretched. Being a woman is a glorious thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sarah\_Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/57 "2005-07-16T04:02:59Z")
I have a tampon or two in a sidepocket of each of my handbags and backpacks. I put them in there and forget about 'em. When I need to restock I restock. No stress. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/58 "2005-07-16T04:06:48Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > I always have at least one in my purse. It came in really handy about a month ago when I was at a wedding and the bride had an Emergency. Poor thing. I was more than happy to offer my spare tampon to her. She gratefully accepted. Am I the only person who thought, “…something borrowed, something blue.”? ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/59 "2005-07-16T04:09:42Z")
Always keep 'em on me. Mine can pop in unexpectedly, and I’d rather be prepared. I have a discreet case I keep in my purse that holds three. Also, I have no problem asking friends for tampons, though strangers are another issue. I’m kind of shy. But if a stranger walked up to me and asked for one, I have no problem sharing at all. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2005, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685/60 "2005-07-16T04:38:13Z")
If I was a chick I think I would say Hey, you holding? 'Cause I’m not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tampon-question-for-the-ladies/312685.md?page=4)