As much as some point out our differences, when it comes to
the basics there really are no difference. While the children's book by Tarō
Gomi declares that we all poop in reality we all pee, poop and puke. Doesn't
matter if you are the prince or the pauper, these things ARE going to happen in
your life no matter what. Some more than
others (obviously). If you are a female,
there's a pretty good chance that when you reach a certain age you are also
going to bleed monthly. Yes, I'm talking
about menstruation. The facts are that EVERYONE pees, poops and pukes and a
good hunk of us are also going to deal with menstrual bleeding once a month for
years. It's just a fact.
So why are we so embarrassed over it? I get that it smells
bad and it's not fun, but it's part of being a human. That's it.
If you are human (and I hope you are), this is part of your life.
If I take the puking out of the equation, when it comes to
peeing, pooping and menstruating, at some point in your life you are going to
need to where some sort of absorbent cloth.
There are pads, tampons and diapers.
All supposedly designed to keep you "comfortable" and your
clothes from being wet/messy. That's a good
thing, right? While walking around with
a pad in your underpants or toddling around in a diaper might not be anyone's
idea of fun, its part of life.
So why are we so embarrassed over it?
When we are young, we aren't? (At least I think we aren't.) Infants and toddlers may cry over a soggy (or
smelly) bottom, but they don't seem to be embarrassed. They may be uncomfortable, but they are not
embarrassed. (If you think I'm wrong, feel free to chime in.) So why are we embarrassed when we get older?
There are those commercials where we are told how horrible
it is to buy continence pads (or God forbid diapers) in the store. What must the cashier think? What must the person in line behind us
think? Who cares? I'd bet they are NOT thinking about the pads
or diapers. They're probably thinking
about what they might have for dinner or how many hours are left on their shift
or a million other things. Again, you
can correct me if you think I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that most people
don't care about what you've got in your grocery cart. There may be in that one in a million
annoying person who is focused on what you're buying, but who cares about that
person. Are you ever going to see them
again? Why do THEY care? Why cares why? Just pay the cashier, pack up your stuff and
get on with life.
How about when a MAN has to purchase "women's
products." I think back to Michael
Keaton in Mr. Mom was grocery shopping and tried to be casual as he grabbed a
package of sanitary napkins and his utter humiliation when Edie McClurg (doing
what she always does best; being hysterically funny as an "average"
person) as the check-out lady goes over the PA system to find out if Kotex maxi pads are
on sale. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXep_sMhgTo)Why was he so appalled? If you are married or living with a woman,
chances are these products are in your closet or bathroom. If you're a woman, you're going to have to
buy them. If you're a man, you may have
to buy them at some point. It SHOULDN'T
be a big deal. It's a fact of life.
Are we embarrassed to buy toilet paper? Maybe someone is, but I'm guessing most of us
don't think about it. We SHOULDN'T be embarrassed
(or make a big deal) over buying these items.
Outraged over the cost? That I
can see. (This stuff is NOT cheap). Embarrassed?
Why? Most of us are going to need
these items at some point in our lives.
Or, alternatively, most of us are going to have a loved one that needs
these items at some point in our lives.
It's not a big deal. It's a fact
of life.
So ignore those commercials that tell you that you need to
be discreet and order these items so that no one will know. (Unless you find that ordering is cheaper
than whenever you are shopping.) There's
no need to be embarrassed or ashamed.
Don't let anyone tell you that you should. (Certainly don't tell yourself that.) And if they do, just tell them that if they
didn't know, EVERYBODY pees, poops and pukes.
Get over it!
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