Because the things you listed are topical and / or neutral issues that anyone can weigh in on, and usually brought up to invite conversation. They are not specifically about the speaker and are generally presented in a way that promotes mutual commiseration, as opposed to pathetic self indulgence about a personal bodily function that one should have learned to deal with after, oh, around the third or fourth time they experienced it. I can see no parallel to your examples.
Your comment about the catharsis (though why menstruation requires some profound release is beyond me) isn’t really relevant in this case, since we’ve already established that **Marlitharn ** wasn’t really going for that angle and I am not (as I stated) directing my comments at her.
The "if you don’t like it don’t read it " response is lame coming from anyone, but especially you, since I know from what I’ve read of your contributions that you’re much smarter than that. Really, what’s the point of any of the discussions here then? Certainly we have no need for this forum if we’re restricted to only respond if we agree with the OP. We can rename it the “Puppies and Daffodils Sanctuary” and trip over our own feet rushing to kiss each other’s asses.
I’m guessing from your heated reply that I’ve offended you; if that’s the case, I apologize. It’s just a commentary on something that I find puzzling and annoying. If I’ve not offended you directly, why do I get the old “don’t read it if you don’t like it” when the Pit, by it’s very nature, is the place where people come to voice their opinion, be it popular or not?
Nah- just getting close to the end of the week, which means I’m short on sleep. You haven’t offended me.
But it is fun and satisfying sometimes to pit Aunt Flo. Especially the mind games she plays with you- sometimes early (and ruining a pair of non-period underwear) and sometimes late (making you worry).
And how is this different from any other topic? Other than the fact that it’s only have the population to whom it doesn’t apply?
What you just listed above does apply to to women. It is a commiseration of sorts, and no they (the periods) aren’t all the same. Some women suffer from funny or different symptoms. I don’t get crabby I get ditzy as hell. Not funny at the time, but it has made for some amusing behaviour for my former boyfriend’s amusement.
I see nothing about the OP that doesn’t in your words “promote mutual commiseration”. And I’ve seen some pretty pathetic self indulgance about many other physical ailments and situations. In fact, I posted on myself 3 years ago when I shattered my tibia. Purely self indulgent whining. And although the pool of fellow commiserators were much smaller, lots of broken bone sufferers chimed in.
As to you “learned to deal with” has NOTHING to do with experiencing sucky side effects and venting about them, and having “permission” to do so without having someone say "well, on THIS subject, you’re not really allowed to bitch because it’s not a good enough venting subject due to my opinions on it not meeting the above criteria…
Uh what?
Not that I care that YOU care, but why do you? You seem to feel (and it could just be coming across that way in type), very strongly and be very irritated about this. You say you’re not squeamish, but you sure seem to be protesting a lot.
Because, as I’ve explained, this is not a subject that is brought up as a topical or mutual interest conversation starter; it is a complaint that is pertinent only to the speaker, due to the fact that it is the subject of her (mundane) bodily functions. I’m not talking about someone casually bringing up the subject of menstruation in general
(though, why the hell would someone?), I’m speaking about those who * complain* about their personal discomfort.
I guess if the complainer in question is in the company of other women who like to fixate on this particular, minor, fact of their lives, than hey, they are welcomed to knock themselves out.
I’ll grant that there are some ladies reading this thread that were feeling it (shit, Anne Neville damn near kicked my ass! Hey Anne !) But in general, while engaging in intelligent conversation, the majority of a given crowd does not care about an individual’s reproductive processes. It is absolutely not the same as complaining about daylight savings time. Really.
True story; doesn’t make it any more appropriate, though.
[QUOTE} In fact, I posted on myself 3 years ago when I shattered my tibia. Purely self indulgent whining. And although the pool of fellow commiserators were much smaller, lots of broken bone sufferers chimed in.[/QUOTE]
I have not read that, and don’t equate the two. A shatterd bone is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime event that a small portion of us will experience. Can’t say that I’d stop to read a thread about it, but if I did, I wouldn’t be irritated if you’d pitted the pain, or the doctors, or whatever (though I might ask a MOD to move it to another forum).
In the context of what I’m commenting about, it has * everything * to do with it. The very root of what I’m saying is “this is a fact of female existence that we all go through, therefore your complaining about it is whiney and selfindulgent. Deal with it, just as every other woman on the planet has done since time immemorial”. I never claimed to have the power to formally ban these complaints ( oh, though were it so). I merely expressed how I wish I did.
It would seem that you * do * care, though. I offered an opinion; I stand by it. I was challenged and I explained. My initial comment, which dealt with my puzzlement and annoyance at women who whine about their periods was questioned and explained (as I did, again, above).
What, precisely, do you alledge that I’m protesting?
This is one of those things that make so glad I’m gay. No woman with periods to deal with. (at least on the intimate relationship front, the rest I can get away from)
My own menses-related pet peeve… I’ve read such horrifying descriptions of monthly cycles here on the SDMB, I go :dubious: … some of the members make it sound like they get skinned alive with a rusty spoon on a monthly basis. It makes for great entertainment reading, though.
Jesus, I hope you’re kidding. People like you make women look like whining crybabies. If you suffer the same pain during your cycle that a man would experience from a good swift kick to the nuts, you had better see a doctor because something is seriously wrong. I’ve known women like you that cry about it every freaking month, and I’ll bet your friends pray for the day you hit menopause and STFU already.
Ever notice how simply beautiful a cup of jello is? Clear, jewel-like colors, pure and clean lines; someone more artistic than I should sculpt something pretty out of jello and take a picture of it.
My meds stopped working. I had to up the dosage. On the plus side, my skin’s cleared up, but I look like I’m storing tube socks in my cheeks.
no, i am not kidding. as long as i am in pain, i reserve the right to be a whining crybaby. i have seen a dr., diagnosis middelsmertz. no treatment. my friends do not pray for me to hit menopause, because i killed them all for telling me to STFU.
