# No tampon ads where the Pope might see 'em **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164 "2006-05-25T14:35:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/1 "2006-05-25T14:35:07Z")
So, the Pope goes to Poland, and apparently someone decided that tampons are “[inappropriate products](http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1779765,00.html)” to advertise, along with lingerie and beer. I know that I take this sort of thing too seriously, but this pretty much tells me that women’s bodies are dirty and shameful, just the sort of message I thought we might be moving beyond. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/2 "2006-05-25T14:45:49Z")
Funny. Clement’s the one who should be ashamed of his body. I’m with you, though. As long as there are insecure and self-conscious people with authority, they’ll keep imposing their squeamishness on others. I mean, the pope shouldn’t have to think about _vaginas_ (they make him sad). He certainly shouldn’t have to think about menstruation! God obviously doesn’t want us to talk about menstruation. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/3 "2006-05-25T14:47:33Z")
Er…Benedict. Of course. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/4 "2006-05-25T14:59:40Z")
[QUOTE=Hung Mung] As long as there are insecure and self-conscious people with authority, they’ll keep imposing their squeamishness on others. [/QUOTE] It just seems so freaking childish. Like a little boy screaming “ewww” when he finds out where babies come from. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/5 "2006-05-25T15:07:12Z")
Well, it is the super-conservative media outlet that’s doing it, not the Church. In fact it says the Church is concerned with the influence of the political group and radio/TV outlet. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/6 "2006-05-25T15:17:32Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] Well, it is the super-conservative media outlet that’s doing it, not the Church. In fact it says the Church is concerned with the influence of the political group and radio/TV outlet. [/QUOTE] It doesn’t matter to me if it’s the media or the Vatican. What matters is that these are adults! At least, I assume they are adults. Whoever is doing it needs to grow the hell up. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/7 "2006-05-25T15:36:13Z")
No beer ads? IIRC, the Pope has a favorite beer and he has allowed the brewer to use his likeness in their ads for the stuff (not to mention the fact that he’s German, and thus, is biologically dependant upon beer ;)), ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/8 "2006-05-25T16:11:09Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] It doesn’t matter to me if it’s the media or the Vatican. What matters is that these are adults! At least, I assume they are adults. Whoever is doing it needs to grow the hell up. [/QUOTE] I think you’re giving “adults” too much credit. Remember, some adults think its a capital idea to cover women from head-to-toe lest their very appearance kindle unclean desires and force a man to do things he shouldn’t do. It reminds me of my grandmother’s house when the priest visits. Everything has to be put away and straightened up and Can-I-fix-you-a-plate-father? It’s unacceptable to have the appearance of slovenliness or outright unrighteousness. Here comes Father Tom! Sweep that under the couch! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/9 "2006-05-25T16:20:01Z")
[QUOTE=Hung Mung] I think you’re giving “adults” too much credit. Remember, some adults think its a capital idea to cover women from head-to-toe lest their very appearance kindle unclean desires and force a man to do things he shouldn’t do. [/quote] I’ve always windered about that idea. If women have to be covered lest they inflame uncontrollable lusts in men, doesn’t that mean the men are weak? _Real_ men suck it up and exercise self-control no matter what body parts are visible. 😃 > [@Hung Mung](#): > > It reminds me of my grandmother’s house when the priest visits. Everything has to be put away and straightened up and Can-I-fix-you-a-plate-father? It’s unacceptable to have the appearance of slovenliness or outright unrighteousness. > Here comes Father Tom! Sweep that under the couch! I think there are degrees of tidiness here. But the chaos that accompanies parenthood is completely natural, and any priest who really cares for his flock would know that. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/10 "2006-05-25T16:36:35Z")
And remember, Jesus hates [cake and ice cream](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5015518.stm) (or at least fears them). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/11 "2006-05-25T16:43:13Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] It doesn’t matter to me if it’s the media or the Vatican. What matters is that these are adults! At least, I assume they are adults. Whoever is doing it needs to grow the hell up. [/QUOTE] It matters because anyone who sees this as an opportunity to trash the Pope or the Vatican is missing the point. Here’s the Pit-worthy party: > [@](#): > > Critics of the ban call it typical of the staunch moral conservatism promoted by the ruling Law and Justice party, whose leaders condemned gay and lesbian people and espoused the death penalty on their way to winning the general election last autumn. The government’s most vocal support comes from Radio Maryja, a station beloved of millions of mostly rural and elderly Poles, which Benedict’s Vatican has condemned for interfering in politics and airing anti-semitic and xenophobic views. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/12 "2006-05-25T17:11:34Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Real men suck it up and exercise self-control no matter what body parts are visible. Self control? No matter what parts are visible? I guess I’ll hand in my Real Man Macho Muscle-Bound Hunky Beefcake card at the next meeting. ::pout:: Anybody got a good quiche recipe? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/13 "2006-05-25T17:22:39Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] It just seems so freaking childish. Like a little boy screaming “ewww” when he finds out where babies come from. [/QUOTE] My cousin didn’t scream “ewww” when I told him where he came from. Instead, he went to our Grandmom and asked her if his parents really had to fuck. I guess it could have been worse… he could have asked the Pope. No, it couldn’t have been any worse. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/14 "2006-05-25T17:29:04Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] It matters because anyone who sees this as an opportunity to trash the Pope or the Vatican is missing the point. Here’s the Pit-worthy party: [/QUOTE] This isn’t the Pit, and I didn’t trash the Pope or the Vatican, though having the Vatican say that someone else, anyone else, shouldn’t interfere in politics is rich. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/15 "2006-05-25T17:37:51Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] So, the Pope goes to Poland, and apparently someone decided that tampons are “[inappropriate products](http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1779765,00.html)” to advertise, along with lingerie and beer. I know that I take this sort of thing too seriously, but this pretty much tells me that women’s bodies are dirty and shameful, just the sort of message I thought we might be moving beyond. [/QUOTE] Well, just consider though if the pope ever found out about vaginas. He might just give up popery for good, and then where would we all be? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/16 "2006-05-25T17:44:15Z")
[QUOTE=Doctor Jackson] Self control? No matter what parts are visible? I guess I’ll hand in my Real Man Macho Muscle-Bound Hunky Beefcake card at the next meeting. [/QUOTE] It’s not so bad if you’re over sixteen. 🙂 And what’s the deal with the Pope speaking in German at Auschwitz? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/17 "2006-05-25T17:49:18Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] So, the Pope goes to Poland, and apparently someone decided that tampons are “[inappropriate products](http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1779765,00.html)” to advertise, along with lingerie and beer. [/QUOTE] Maybe they took seriously Sister Taffy’s “Pulling Satan’s Cotton Plug” bit at the Landover Baptist site. [http://www.webspawner.com/users/sistertaffy/pullingtheplug.html](http://www.webspawner.com/users/sistertaffy/pullingtheplug.html) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/18 "2006-05-25T17:53:37Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] This isn’t the Pit [/QUOTE] For some reason\* I was thinking it was—sorry, my bad on that. I’m still not completely sold on the OP’s “having a problem with tampon ads” = “thinking women’s bodies are dirty and shameful,” though. [Several Dopers](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=297293) (most of them non-Popes, FWIW) are less than fully enthusiastic about watching tampon commericals. \*And yes, I know, [I’m a bad person](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=373065) for using this phrase. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/19 "2006-05-25T18:45:39Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] No beer ads? IIRC, the Pope has a favorite beer and he has allowed the brewer to use his likeness in their ads for the stuff (not to mention the fact that he’s German, and thus, is biologically dependant upon beer ;)), [/QUOTE] For the record, German beer is a matter of national pride. Germany has very strict laws on what ingredients can be used, and all production steps. Not to mention that beer was lost and then re-invented by monks looking to supplement their Lenten diet. There was debate over whether it was an acceptable food. The debat reached the Pope (I’d have to look up which one it was). This particular Holy Father loved fine wines. He tried the beer, said it was disgusting and that the monks could continue drinking it and were actually doing penance by consuming something so foul. There is also a patron saint of beer drinkers. I found that out when I bought a friend The Secret History Of Beer. BTW- This is not a pro beer bias. I think the stuff tastes like selzer with stale bran flakes in it. But to say that it is inappropriate for a German pope to see ads for it is ridiculous. Remember that it was a monk, Dom Perignon, who revolutionized wine and gave th world champagne. **Thudlow Boink** I’m not trashing Benedict. He’d certainly agree with me that this is silly. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164/20 "2006-05-25T20:51:21Z")
[QUOTE=Hung Mung] Er…Benedict. Of course. :smack: [/QUOTE] So tampon ads are Eggs Benedict? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-tampon-ads-where-the-pope-might-see-em/358164.md?page=2)