Napkins and Briefs
By bjcyrix
@bjcyrix (6901)
Philippines
May 28, 2008 12:23pm CST
I was just wondering...why is it that there is huge embarrassments involved when a guy is seen (buying or not)with a sanitary napkin/tampon when its ok for girls to hang out at the men's brief/underwear section (checking out the merchandise or not)?
Do guys really get embarrassed by this (especially when you're seen by other guys, friends or not)...
Do girls really dont mind if they were seen strolling along the underwear men's section?...
or is it just all in my stereotype-influenced imagination?
Hope you could shed some light on this. Thanks!^_^
4 people like this
14 responses
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
It used to annoyme when I'm asked to buy those napkins/tampon before. Now, I don't get annoyed as much.
I would use to complain and say that, 'why should I be the one to get it when I'm not the one who needs it?'
Shortly after that remark I made, my sisters would buy them whenever they are out. Wouldn't ask me to get one for them but, recently, my sister forgot to buy herself some and asked me to buy her one from a variety store. I again got irritated but, I just went and had it over with.
I don't know, maybe napkins or tampons are different from clothing which doesn't make it that embarrassing for the ladies to be at sections with brief/underwear.
Now if a guy was at the bras or lingerie section at the mall, not knowing if he's with someone or just by himself, what typical impression would you have for the guy?
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
I merely spoke what I had in mind. If it was that important to them, why would they forget to buy some when they had the chance?
Even I would terribly be embarrassed if I found myself at a section where they sell a variety of contraceptives, though I think no section like that would ever exist in malls, since such items would only be related to activities that prevent procreation.
A guy at a lingerie section longing to have his own pair? If that's a stereotype, its either he's not yet certain of his orientation or simply lecherous. I'd go with being lecherous since its better to pacify his desires through acquiring his own pair than to find a man trying on something that is specifically designed to make women attractive with less fabric.
Here's something odd about the typical guy wanting to buy something nice like that for his female partner, why would he buy such a thing for her in the first place if he intends to have her take it off later on? Perhaps I am indeed bad.. But don't get me wrong, such things not only makes some females feel sexy, it also helps most guys get motivated.
Being a guy who just passes by such a section can be tolerable but, to initially go there since other sections are crowded? If there aren't much women at that area, its probably because that guy is there.
I definitely agree with you that embarrassment depends on every individual on any given situation.
Thank you as well for this interesting discussion. ^__^
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
I could only cover what you have provided and you provided quite good
A young couple? I guess they would be young if the wife still needs those items for herself or perhaps it was among the grocery list that either their daughter(s) or sister(s) needed. I know I won't turn it around if I were in that situation though. Its not like its in my bag that can be seen clearly or in a pocket of mine which would really be embarrassing if it were the case. I would probably be seated at one of the ends of the long benches of the jeep just to hide it
Hehe, your welcome on that
1 person likes this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
Hahaha! I guess you've covered most of the points. Maybe someone has another take or idea on this. You are bad.^_^ Glad that you liked this discussion. I was just curious because I saw a young couple on the jeep. The guy was holding on the the bags of groceries and through the plastic and very clearly seen was the word: "Modess". Im not sure if he knew and I dont know that if he knew will he turn it to the side or he doesnt mind..?Anyways, thanks for making this a real discussion.^_^
1 person likes this
@hindichinese (748)
• Philippines
25 Jul 08
I'm also from philippines. I really don't agree if my mom or my sister wants me to buy napkins for them.
1 person likes this
@hindichinese (748)
• Philippines
25 Jul 08
waaaaaaaaa.... why does my post appear twice???
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
28 May 08
My guy is a bit awkward if he has to stand in the underwear section and watch me shop, but he's really pretty bombproof. If I'm bra shopping, I'll pick one out and hand it to him and he'll hold it until it's time for me to o into the changing room. His best friend does the same thing for his wife. He'll also go to the store to pick up 'feminine products', if I need them, without a complaint. I do think he's unusual, though.
My dad would always walk to other parts of the store or mall, when my mom and I underwear shopped. He'd take my brothers with him. They won't go into underwear sections and are embarrassed by it, too.
I don't quite understand why anyone would be embarrassed by going underwear shopping or hygiene product shopping for someone else. I mean, if a guy is picking out underwear at a lingerie store, I always assume that they have a wife, girlfriend, or companion that will be pleasantly surprised when he gets home, not that he's a crazy or a perv. I think the same thing when a guy is checking out with feminine hygiene products.
Then again, I know a bunch of women who are embarrassed to buy hygiene products, too!
@NuclearRabbit (650)
• United States
28 May 08
Our comments contradic each other! I always assume that if a guy is buying panties or a bra that he's some sort of closet freak, because I don't understand why any women wouldn't want to try the bra/panties on first to see if they are the right size.
1 person likes this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
29 May 08
Yeah, I observed that even when the guy is committed there is always a bit of uncomfortable-ness(is that even a word?LOL) or awkwardness as you say. I can understand brothers(even when I dont have one, but I have cousins^_^) and my Dad can go past these kinds of shelves since he rarely goes shopping with my Mom and me.
I totally agree with you. A guy shopping feminine things for/with his girl is really committed and doesnt mind what other people will think. Whenever I see couples like this I always think the guy really loves his girl.^_^
and to tell you honestly I get a bit embarrassed too whenever Im going hygiene product shopping(with or without a friend) and a guy I know passes by.
Thank you so much for the response.^_^
@xtinapie (7)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
it depends on your social orientation i guess. i bought a brief for my bf and im totally comfortable with it though i'm laughing inside. :) and my bf said he would buy me underwear. let's just see if he can. with napkins, my male cousins don't mind. i always ask them to buy me some on emergencies. but it really depends on how you see the situation. just be more objective and you'll be comfortable with it.
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
5 Jun 08
oh, thats the term(social orientation) that Ive been looking for with all my 'it depends'. To tell you honestly, I bought briefs for a friend on his birthday. He's not my bf and we're not that close but I guess we're comfortable enough to talk about these things. At first I thought he was joking but I still got it for him, had a laugh about it and Im not sure if he uses it until today.^_^ Thanks for the response!
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
4 Jan 10
Well, that is also my unending question as my only brother who is younger to me when i ask him to buy sanitary napkin at the neighbor store he is very embarrass to buy though when he is still in his elementary level he do not mind being the errand boy. it is only then when he become teenager that he refuse to follow his older sisters command. maybe they are ashamed to be tag as under a woman command and seen as it is a funny things to do which is quite annoying to them. By the way i am too is ashamed to buy men underwear as I really have no clue which the right fit and because my mother is the only one who is specialist in buying men brief which do not fall under my discretion, so basically i am not oblige to do the purchasing.
1 person likes this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
17 Jan 10
I guess your little brother got conscious of buying those girly business.LOL
I really dont mind buying men's underwear but of course I would also be embarrassed if it was at a department store at the mall and I could be clearly seen by everybody passing by. I dont mind buying if it was at a boutique or something since that is more private.
It's nice that you dont have to buy those kinds of personal items. You wouldnt feel embarrassed by that. Thanks for responding!^_^
@jain_ashish (91)
• India
17 Jan 10
it will surely get embarrassing if i get spotted by my friends with a sanitary napkin/tampon.....
@parthajena (536)
• India
23 Jul 10
Well, i have never faced such an embarrassment myself. I go shopping for women's apparels with my sister and girlfriend many a times. Sometimes, i go alone to buy sanitary pads and perfumes for my friend. But, no one seems to mind. Once, i was trying out a deodorant flavour for my sister and some elderly women were staring at me as if i was a pervert. But, that was the worst experience i had. Other than that, i have had no such bad experience. And the funny thing is that most of the guys at my place shop for these things. So, maybe thats why everybody is so accommodating here.
By the way that chipmunk smile is great.good day.
@marchgale (260)
• United States
31 May 08
I dunno but alot ofguys are like that.But my husband wouldn't think twice about going to the store and getting me something if I need it.I guess he figures that anyone who sees him will know it cant be for him,so he must be getting it for a woman.
1 person likes this
@NuclearRabbit (650)
• United States
28 May 08
No it's not in you imagination. I always laugh when a I see a guy buying ladies underwear 'for his wife'. I counldn't tell you why the double standard is there, but it is. My boyfriend has complained about getting sanitary pads for me before. So yeah I'd say it fairly embarrassing for guys.
1 person likes this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
29 May 08
Hi! I dont try underwear on for size too. I guess guys really do get embarrassed by this situation more for some than for others. Having contradicting responses is quite good. That means that there are lots of different personal experiences out there. I just hope that after reading about all or at least some of it I just hope that I can understand a bit more of this double standard as you say. Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences and your opinions. Thank you for responding!^_^
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
31 May 08
Well, to be honest i guess this is not only in your imagination, but for me, i enjoy buying my lady underwear - it is quite exciting (not in a kinky way ;) ) - i don't see any reason why i should be embarrassed - it is all part of the cycle of life, isn't it?
@pixelpixie (473)
• Canada
31 May 08
I make my guys come with me to buy tampons until they get used to it, or if I was deathly ill I might ask them very nicely to go buy some for me. Women bleed. We can't help it. I don't see the big deal either.
It's the same with bra/underwear shopping. Honestly, if the guy is WITH a girl, it shouldn't be so embarassing. If he was standing in the bra section alone? THAT might be weird.
I buy boxers in the guy's section all the time!
1 person likes this
@heleni0 (322)
•
5 Jun 08
My dad has absolutely no fear or walking into a supermarket of pharmacy and buying "girl things". I did query this once and he just said, "Well I used to do this all the time for your mother" as if that made it completely normal. Not that i'm complaining, as long as I don't have to go do it myself it's all good!
I totally wouldn't mind if I was spotted hanging around the guys undies section :P
1 person likes this
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
5 Jun 08
My guy used to but I pointed out two things to him that fixed that. #1 It's not like they are going to think it's for him
#2 Every guy that sees him with a box of whichever knows he's got someone and has had her long enough for her to feel comfortable sending him for those. That means he's getting some while they are still working the clubs praying for some lovin.
Now it doesn't bother him at all.
My kid brother still thinks it makes him looked whipped though.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
28 May 11
Great discussion! There are a lot of stereo types about this..maybe that is why the people who are embarrassed are embarrassed...lol.
I have a grown son and I have no problem buying him underwear..lol..I have been doing that for a longtime..I guess I don't think about it. Of course its not the fancy ones..lol..it's just the basic boxers.
My b/f also has no problem with the napkin thing. He lives with three of us so it's not anything new..lol..we often don't feel like running out to the store during that time...he even knows what kind of medicine to get us when we are miserable now. My daughters are 12 and 17..lol..my b/f has a hand full for sure..he has more to worry about than what people think when he is in line at the store.