Exactly. I didnt mine paying. It was no big deal. After we were done with groceries we met up with my wife, went to that section, and my wife and her picked some out and we went to checkout and left.
Drugs are not basic hygiene products. Pads are not on the same level as medicine. A better analogy would be shampoo, soap, or a luffa. Or a nephew saying he needs shaving creme or a razor.
My point was that since roughly half your students were young women, you’d at least be aware of things like this and not get freaked out by them. Much less consider it a “light” topic.
That is not the issue. If the OP wasn’t sure what he was being asked, he could have followed up with a question–you know, like people do. Maybe, “I don’t know anything about that stuff, honey. Do you know what you need?” (Chances are excellent that unless she’d started menstruating for the first time right there in Aisle 4, she had a good idea what she needed.)
I said he could use this as a learning opportunity, and I hope he does. From his posting history, he does tend to think of us women as existing in a parallel universe. Here’s a good chance to change his thinking, and I hope he does so.
It’s also possible that she was bringing it up to Urbanredneck specifically because she was trying to embarrass him. I’ve had students about that age start talking about menstruation in front of me just to embarrass me.
I believe it was in 1978, I was working the graveyard shift at a Spires restaurant (then a chain of 24-hour diners). It was just about quitting time for me, and the morning waitresses had just arrived. Heather asked me to go across the parking lot to Safeway and pick her up a box of tampons, and I complied. No biggie, just one coworker doing a favor for another.
I know what! When young 11-or-12-year-old Urban Niece remarked to Urban Uncle that she needs pads, Urban Uncle should have responded in turn: Pick me up a package of condoms while you’re there.
Creme, gel, or mug & brush?
Straight razor, safety razor, disposable (2, 3, 4, or 5 blades) or electric (Norelco triple head or Bruan straight head style, dry only or wet/dry)? Guidance on what to get is different than paying for a product.
There was ambiguity between “can you pay” & “what should I get”
You’re married and you were taken aback by a statement that pads are required? How does that happen? I buy pads and other stuff for my wife all the time. Should I fear that people will think I’m getting it for myself?