Today I want to tell you about a small experiment of mine. It was something that I had been wanting to do for a while. So just after lunch today I set out to tick this little test off my list. With a stomach full of scrumptious canteen food I walked into the small convenience store at my office campus brimming with employees. It was lunchtime hence the rush. Some buying chocolates, few groceries while a few other cosmetics. But I was there to buy something else. Something that I needed for my experiment and for myself as well. I was there to buy sanitary pads. Yes, you read that right. Sanitary pads. Something used by a woman during menstruation as defined in Wikipedia. Uncomfortable? You shouldn’t be.
Moving on. While in the queue for billing I began to notice reactions. My experiment had already begun. It was time for me to start noting the results. My first subjects were the men in line behind me. They appeared embarrassed seeing this purple and green pack. But I, the one holding it, was not. Their eyes implored me to hide it. They felt awkward seeing a woman hold something that was essential for her health and hygiene. Why? Beats me. But I guess that’s how they were raised to feel. There’s sadly a taboo surrounding periods and sanitary pads in our society.
My next set of subjects had the same reaction as well. And these were women, thankfully only a small number out of the many in the queue, but women nonetheless. So the same response from women, even though from only a few. Regrettable I know. And these men and women, mind you, were engineering graduates in the least. Educated? Nevertheless, I being me kept holding the packet just as I would hold any other packet at a store. Too bad if that made them uncomfortable.
A slight context on what happened next. In India whenever we buy sanitary napkins it is first wrapped in newspapers and then put in a polythene bag to be carried home hidden from the rest of the world. It is almost as if we are doing something wrong by buying or using it. So in this store too after I had paid the money, the woman at the counter picked up a newspaper to wrap the packet. But I stopped her. At that of-course, she shot back a confused look at me. Note, just a confused look. But I think she understood, at some level perhaps, and gave me the packet without looking at me disparagingly.
Now the next part of my experiment was to begin. I had to walk from the store to my building, up to my cubicle through a floor full of employees. I wanted to see how these ‘educated’ people would react seeing me walk unapologetically with the sanitary pads pack in my hand. I didn’t have very high hopes of course based on the opinions on various socio-cultural issues shared by this very ‘educated lot’ on e-bulletin board of the organization where I work. But then maybe this experiment would prove me wrong?
As I walked, I saw two women walk by casting critical glances first at me and then at the packet I was holding. Maybe they wanted me to rush back to the store and get a bag to cover it? But I kept walking. Further along there stood three men, all in their late 40s I think, who stopped discussing whatever it was they were discussing for a second or so as I passed by. This because I didn’t cover the packet which evidently they thought was meant to be concealed. Perhaps they felt uneasy. In this way a couple of more strange glances later I entered the building I work from and got into the lift. There was just another woman in the lift with me and she seemed fine with me holding the pack of sanitary pads. I was so happy when she didn’t look at me in a manner asking ‘What the hell are you doing?’
Now the last leg of my experiment was on as I began to walk through the floor up to my desk. And mind you I walked real slow here. Except for a man who kept looking at the packet without batting his eyelids nobody seemed to care what I was carrying and how I was carrying it. Perhaps he was trying to figure out the same thing as those before him. Why had I not concealed it?
I think my experiment was a success in many ways. I had not anticipated it to be so positive because contrary to what I had expected only a small fraction of people appeared troubled, agitated and awkward at seeing the packet. It was a pleasant surprise I must tell you. This because most of the times education fails to enlighten our minds. Maybe many had not noticed the packet itself. But if I know anything from experience I can say that out of all the people that noticed me carrying the sanitary pads packet only a small percentage reacted negatively. That in India is a good thing don’t you think?
You know I feel we as a society need to grow up. So women use pads? What’s dirty in that? What’s in it to be ashamed of? Why do we need to hide the pads when we purchase them from stores? Remember there is no shame in buying or carrying a packet of sanitary pads. It is essential to a woman’s health. Don’t you think so too?
Tell me what did you think about my experiment? What are your views on it? Would you cover the sanitary pads packet next time you buy it at a supermarket or your local drug store? Would you?
You go girl…I dont cover it up too..why should I?
The mindset should change.
Its not just the pad thing.. its the whole mentality about periods.
Every time I am angry or shout at a guy, they just assume I am on my periods and hormonal !
Naba Bravo! And that is why we need writers and revolutionaries. As a girl I used to feel shy to buy such stuff! But as a grown woman I am confident and non-apologetic. Why should we after all? Sometime ago a lady was standing in a medical store waiting for her turn. A few men were there as well. I went there and asked for pads. The chemist, those men, no body showed any reaction but that lady did. She got uncomfortable. Probably she thought I would whisper for whisper in the ears of a chemist which I didn't. My voice was firm like anytime for any commodity! We need to make unusual usual. This is nothing to hide. Let people think what they think, someday they will stop thinking and start accepting! 🙂
Hats off to you for conducting such an experiment! I have no idea why people have to feel so awkward when we are perfectly comfortable with buying something which is a necessity. The whole taboo around periods have to stop.
that's how sick the society is… taboo in something that is so normal… great experiment though
There's no need to hide something that is necessary for personal health and hygiene…
BTW, nowadays , it's a common scene that women picking up packets of sanitary pads form malls along with other groceries….I too buy in this way..a couple of cursory glances …but otherwise it's okay…
You've done a great experiment though…hats off… 🙂
Go on and flaunt it, girl… nothing to be ashamed of…. i mean, people don't hide toilet paper rolls or handkerchiefs, an even underwear is sold on street stalls.
I cant say much on this topic but you are right our society is such , here in uk they are clearly put up and clearly visibile on racks in super stores and you can see women buying them as they buy any other product
Bikram's
I have never understood the need to cover a packet of sanitary pads with newspaper or put in a dark plastic bag, then rush out of shop looking embarrassed. As if the pads were dirty!! Hats off to you, Naba and I'm glad the experiment got more positive results than you expected.
Ye hui na baat … Bravo loved your experiment. At my home dad used to buy our pads from market and he actually would ask us if there ’s any brand we preferred. It beats me how a person who doesn't even use it should judge or be embarrassed. 🙂 though I think people have grown up now, especially the younger generation. They are so cool about everything. 🙂
I feel ,the newspaper wrapping makes the product very obvious ! Otherwise ,unless ,one is very near,how will anybody know it is sanitary pads ? It could be anything .
Brave post,Naba !
kudos for the little experiment. women get eyes not just for napkins but for condoms and pregnancy tests also. high time people change their thought process. read about the ALS ice bucket challenge on http://ankitaranotra.blogspot.in/2014/08/have-you-been-swept-by-als-ice-bucket.html
Initially as a girl I felt so awkward to buy such stuffs. But now it's just like other essential. Guess the mindset is changing all over.
(EEks just posted a long comment that disappeared!)
I've never felt the need to wrap a packet of sanitary napkins. I remember the local supermarkets would be embarrassed when I told them it was okay not to. Same with condoms. I wonder why the shame with doing something that relates to our health and well-being, but that is the way it is.
Incidentally, I've noticed people are also ashamed to carry broom sticks from the shop to their house!
Lovely post, Naba. Have I told you I love you?
And that's how you roll it!! so proud of you!!
Hmm… I remember as a child once I had asked my dad to bring me a packet of pads – my mom was out of town on a business trip and I needed it – the nanny was livid that I had no shame – when I asked my mom later, she had said it was okay though! Since then I have never felt embarrassed about it and these days I see most supermarkets openly display sanitary napkins on their racks! Times have changed in this aspect at least I feel! But go buy a packet of condom, whether you are a man or woman, doesn't matter – and you will see people staring, judgment forming in their eyes instantly!
Well this is my regular life not experiment. Ever since I have joined work I have started to buy my sanitary pads and walk with head high up. Like everywhere ! You go girl 😀
Richa
Its so shameful that both men and women of our society created a taboo for something so essential. Brilliant post
Very interesting experiment Naba and kudos to you. As someone who has had to buy them occasionally for the women in my family, I know exactly the feeling. Now if women get that look for something that they need to us, spare a thought for the looks I got 😛 .But then again, as you probably know – I'm very much the anti-society man 🙂 Once again, kudos Naba! You go girl 🙂
i remember being wrapped in newspaper when bought and bringing it home…gosh! those boggling eyes were a nightmare.
Nabanita, you are a brave soul.
hugs
xoxo
You nailed the point! Here in UK,sanitary pads are sold wide open in any shopping malls. We pick them up ,put in the trolley and are even billed wide open with dozens of people standing behind me. It's just the mind set of people. With girls and woman breaking this taboo in India, we shall very soon see what you(we) really wanted to see. Cheers!
What an interesting experiment! Here in Canada they're not wrapped in newspaper first, so I found that bit interesting as well. Thanks for sharing your experience!
It is a great experiment and much needed. We don't hide diapers or tissues then why these?
I too have asked my dad and brother to get them for me. and Duh!! the chemist is a male most of the time so why do people make a big deal?
very brave of you and so glad you got a positive response.
Great someone wrote about it! When men can buy and use anything openly, y women need to hide something as essential as STs? At hypermarkets I see ST packet hidden at bottom of basket. But have even carried the packet in hand and observed the same reactions like u wrote about. A big hug to u for writing this one!
Brilliant Naba! So proud you carried this social experiment. I have never understood why one should feel shy, guilty or awkward while purchasing pads or talking about periods. Way to go!!
Hats off to ur innovative experiment.
hatsoff to u… awesome post.. brilliant experiment
Hi Naba,
Wanted to share a memory with you on same topic. You know, wen i was a child, sometimes my elder sister use to give me a slip with something written on it, nicely and safely folded. She asked me to go to Medical shop and get a packet with the slip. I always use to wonder whats in the packet, so secretive. And you already observed, the packet was always wrapped to increase curiosity. I think its the concealment and secrecy that makes it awkward and taboo for most people. You did a good job by your experiment.
Really Naba,i too never cover or hesitate to buy sanitary pads,i will tell u something here,wen i used would buy packets of condom from the racks and even read them,i have seen men and women in supermarket giving those scandalized glances…its their problem,regressive thought process needs to go…
HATS OFF TO YOU!
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