Yesterday, Rebecca from The Book Lady’s Blog posted an outstanding review of Elissa Stein and Susan Kim’s fantastic book Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation. Today she’s hosting a giveaway for one copy of the book!
*WARNING*-if you are at all squeamish about a woman’s natural body processes stop reading here*
One of the things I enjoyed about Rebecca’s review is the discussion it started, both on her blog and on twitter. Growing up, the whole topic of menstruation was an uncomfortable one to discuss (totally not faulting you, Mom!). I grew up in a household with two younger sisters and an older brother. Technically, since we out outnumbered the men we should have been free to discuss what we wanted. But for some reason, we didn’t. But then as we got older, we loosened up and became a bit freer in our topics of conversation. When we needed Dad to pick up “supplies” at the store, we’d use code: B-52s were pads and tampons were referred to as “Thomases” (thank my little sister for that one!).
Now that I’m adult (yikes!) I’ve definitely become a bit more open to discuss these sort of things. Much to my husband’s dismay I talk to him about it all in great detail. Mostly it’s complaining. Not complaining about having a period because, don’t shoot me, I’m one of those women who LOVE to have their period. It reminds me that I am equipt to carry a child! What a wonderous thing! But complaining about things associated with having my period. Here are a few of my top ones:
- Packaging: why must pads/tampons be sold in bright colored packages covered in flowers? Really??? Also…I don’t necessarily want THE WORLD to know when I’m on the rag. Why is the individual wrapping so crinkly and noisy!? There’s absolutely no chance of opening a pad or a tampon without everyone in the bathroom hearing, especially if there is an echo.
- Why is there now an entire line of products referred to as “fresh”? Apparently, they have a smell associated to them. Are they insinuating I have an odor? Because I should automatically want my crotch to smell like a field of wildflowers? If God wanted my crotch to smell like flowers then he would have created us all with a nice crotch bouquet. Besides, a woman’s body keeps itself fresh..adding perfumes to it can cause serious health ramifications.
- “Sanitary disposal bins”–men, you are lucky enough to not have these in your public restrooms. These are the lovely bins attached to bathroom stalls for women to dispose of their “personal trash.” And really…they’re disgusting. You open them up to drop something in and you can see what those before you have disposed of. GROSS! I guess it’s a good thing I’m in a bathroom stall at the time because I instantly start wretching. Can’t they use something similar to a Diaper Genie? You drop something in, you turn the top, and away it goes, never to be seen again!
- Why must people (MEN!) assume that we are having our period if we are a bit cranky? I don’t get cranky when I’m on the rag (my husband would say I’m cranky all the time). Yes, a woman can get a little emotional once a month due to all the hormones racing through her body, but really….what’s your excuse?
Ok, I better stop here before I get too carried away! Thank you, Rebecca, for inciting such a healthy conversation!
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Oh, Jenn. It’s going to take a lot for someone to beat the line “If God wanted my crotch to smell like flowers…” I mean, really. This is superfantastic.
Twitter: lexley
says:
Omg! I have to get my hands on this book! This was an excellent post! You had me cracking up! The crotch bouquet had me in stitches!
I am going to be a while trying to get the image of walking around with a crotch bouquet out of my head! Lol!
This is hilarious. I’m going to buy the book pronto. I’m so glad to hear you talk about the subject of sanitary disposal bins. They’re even more disgusting when you take your toddler into the pot with you and she opens it up like a treasure chest, and asks, “Ooo, mommy, what’s in here?” (Insert scream of terror here.) There are few things in this world I’d rather my daughter not touch… like the lip of a urinal or the doggie poop can. I mean, seriously! The diaper genie idea is brilliant and I think we should crusade for a change. Ick, ick, ick!
Sarah-
I have a four year old. When he comes with me into the bathroom with me he follows the following rule “Hands on your hips while Mommy unzips!” They know not to touch ANYTHING in a public restroom. Yuck…I’m gagging now thinking about it all!
LOL, Jenn. I love it! This is hands-down the best piece of parenting advice I’ve received in a long time! It’s truly disgusting, and can’t even believe the word “sanitary” plays into it at all. Gag me, too.
Twitter: florinda_3rs
says:
“Thomases”? Like the English muffins, although I’ve never seen a resemblance between them and tampons?
I’m nearly always glad to get my period too, for a similar reason to yours – it confirms that, once again, I’m NOT pregnant! (I’m nearly 46. That would NOT be a good thing.) Great post, Jenn!
LOL you totally hit the nail on the head but the crotch bouquet had me laughing til I cried!! And the B52′s .. LOL I at first thought you mean boobs but got it haha
Wonderful and insightful post!!
March 17th, 2010 at 8:17 PM
I think we called them B-52s because they were so large (at the time)? Who knows..LOL…
Twitter: lulu_bella
says:
I just about DIED of laughter at crotch bouquet. HILARIOUS.
Twitter: bookaddictheath
says:
Love it! I love the idea of us all running around with crotch boquets! And next time someone says anything to me about being crabby (even my husband) I’ll echo you and say “yes I have a zillion hormones raging through my body today so I may be slightly more emotional than usual, but what’s your excuse?” I definitely need to read this book.
Twitter: whatsheread
says:
Tears are running down my face at the idea of a crotch bouquet. Priceless.
would enjoy this book
Twitter: ckybooks
says:
Can I just share? Last night I realized I was walking to the couch with…you’re going to LOVE this…a glass of wine in one hand and a chocolate milk shake in the other.
Yes. Yes I was. The good news is I didn’t rip anyone’s heart out. I don’t usually get cranky but the last two days I felt like my innards were falling out and was NOT happy.
Too much info? Sorry.
March 17th, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Not too much information at all. I’ve been pretty lucky over the past few years! The women in my family have a history of bad periods, so I’m prepping myself for future problems.
Hehehe at crotch bouquet!
I HATE it when men or women dismiss me as PMSing. Because God forbid that I’m actually an intelligent person with legitimate issues that need to be addressed.