When I was much younger, I worked for a company that did keep them in a basket, free, in the restroom. I'm a software engineer, so I was working with mostly men and appreciated whoever first thought to supply the restrooms.
As I've aged, I've gotten over the fear of being "outed"; there's a box in my desk for "oops, it's early this month" and if anyone's disturbed by noticing me transfer one into my pocket, it's their own damn problem.
I have absolutely no idea how to respond to this topic. I guess as long as the situation is treated with a bit of dignity, all will be well. Me, I still get embarrassed when the checker rings up TP. But when ya need it, ya need it. Sorta like (what you wrote about).
There is one restaurant I have ever been to that did provide free tampons in the women's room. It was a place called Axel's Bonfire in Minnesota. It was strange, I'll say, but wonderful.
It must be something about fire-themed restrooms in MN: Hell's Kitchen also had a basket out. So does our folky world-music venue, the Cedar Cultural Center.
I've now worked in two buildings where maintenance blames every plumbing issue on women putting...things...down the toilet. *facepalm*
I used to get embarrassed when I bought condoms. Then I got over it. Then I got embarrassed when I bought my wife's tampons. Then I got over it.
Moral of the story: People should get over it.
My 15 year old daughter scandalized her mother by talking openly about it with her brother and I recently on vacation. It really is a product of our social mores from Victorian times that my Baptist wife seems happy to perpetuate. The requirement to avoid the topic breeds ignorance which has proven very harmful on all issues pertaining to reproduction. I've always been quite blunt with my children on these issues and was pleased to observe that my daughter is more comfortable than most in talking about it. Thanks for posting on it Sara.
OK, I finally read the post, and I think the premise of it is a bit different than your post and that of the responses here.
To me, her argument is that she shouldn't have to conceal, and I agree. At the same time, I guess I am curious as to why menstruation would need be made public?
She mentions dealing with cramps and perhaps explaining to a person she's dealing with that that's the reason why she's pissed. Fair enough.
But other than that, it does seem a bit private to me. I'm all for women talking about their vaginas whenever they want, but I'm not sure she has a valid argument here for the value of menstrual discussion.
Being awkward about buying the tampons, though, and I agree with her, isn't something she should have to deal with, so I'm glad she decided to be done with that nonsense.
Then again, I'm just a dude, so what do I know?
Right on Sara! Thank God I do not have to buy those damn things anymore (the perks of aging!). However - you are totally correct - they should be free and available (now watch us have to put a quarter in a toilet paper despenser if this catches on). Great insight!
I have been to a couple of public places where tampons were offered free (I want to say World Market and Trader Joe's?) and I loved it. My office is moving to a private suite where there will definitely not be a vending machine in the bathroom, and as the office supply orderer, I fully intend to keep the bathroom stocked.
This talk about offering freebies in the restrooms does remind me, though, of my "naughty" college days. In the student union's girls restroom, I learned that the tampon machine had a sizable gap around where the quarters were stored and you could put your finger in to pull out a quarter. It was very handy in a pinch, and being a poor college student, I really appreciated being able to run in there and get a free tampon when I needed one!
Great chat in here!
Menstruating sucks. So why not get something positive out of it, like making people squirm when you say out loud that you're bleeding out of your vagina and they should leave you the hell alone? Let THEM be the ones who are uncomfortable. Sure, not so socially appropriate - but there's only one way to change things. Be the one to start something. Will it be me? Only around my friends who already expect that kind of "filth" from me. 
As for free tampons, I definitely agree!! People bitch and moan about Hagadone, but when I worked at the Coeur d'Alene Resort (6 years ago, so it might have changed) the women's employee locker rooms had a free tampon machine. (Probably a ploy to increase productivity so he could make more money, but whatever, free tampons!)
My office in MA used to have free tampons and pads in a vending machine in the bathroom nearest my desk, but not the others. It started running out more often. The last few times I've been in (months ago), it was empty.
Tampons are more expensive than toilet paper. Employers seldom pay for anything they don't have to. Other than that, just the fact men do not automatically consider these things and have historically been the managers in charge of budgets and facilities, is likely the main reason.
I'm with Helen & Sam: I've seen dozens of office bathrooms -- they range from decked-out-amazingly to filthy-redneck-gas-station. It seems to me it is not a gender-bias thing, but one part cheapness and one part obliviousness about others' bathroom habits (which is more commonly a guy thing).
If you don't have tampons at work, think of a discreet way to have them available (a box in the vanity, or in a supply cabinet near the restroom), then request/suggest it. Make the suggestion like a project proposal: who'll supervise, what'll it cost, how'll it work, since the same boss that's too oblivious to supply tampons in the first place might resist out of (innocent) cluelessness, but agree readily if you describe a doable plan and quote a frugal per-month cost estimate. If you don't think your job is safe enough to ask for it, or you think it should be company-sponsored, use an anonymous note to someone that is most likely to help or drop it into the company suggestion box. Otherwise, just ask. Or request it at your next performance evaluation: "I want a bigger raise, and for you to budget $X per year to pay for tylenol and various feminine products in the employee break room or restroom(s)."
One last thought: I worked at a place that wouldn't buy kleenex. All I could think was 'what is this? Weirdly unsanitary *AND* at a rough cost of a buck a year per employee?' I didn't argue the absurdity of it, but it taught me something: If 'employees are our most valuable asset' is just lip-service, it often shows in the little details.
Those are some fantastic suggestions d2 at 43sb. I'll definitely keep that in mind if/when it comes up in the future.
Can I also play devil's advocate here for a second?
I think someone either here or on HBO (I'm not taking the time to scan at the moment, just trying to kick this thought out right quick) mentioned that what if men had to pay for toilet paper or beg for it in rest rooms? Then they'd know what it was like! GOTCHA DOODZ!
The only issue I take with that stance is that toilet paper is free in both men's and women's restrooms. And, I'd argue that women use more toilet paper in their restroom than men do. We don't need toilet paper post-urination.
I do agree that it seems like common sense to have freebie tampons for women, but the argument about toilet paper, for me, is a non-starter.
I would argue that tampons or what have you is a basic need like toilet paper and should be free to women. Just because men don't need tampons, it does not exclude the fact that it is still a basic need and should be - like toilet paper is to men. Imagine a man in a bathroom with no toilet paper post defacation - then imagine a woman with no tampon. (this is a twist on Sam's post urination theory)
If both men and women had to pay for toilet paper per use we could prove that women use more?
I wish some legislator would get on this. Idaho loves to be the first to do something - this would be great for the next session. It was not that long ago Idaho was trying to outlaw public breastfeeding.
Sara:
I would be very leery about sticking anything I got out of public restroom into my body. Also, in this sue happy atmosphere I can just imagine what would happen if somebody developed toxic shock syndrome from using a free tampon.
Besides, its icky!!!!
Uncle Rich - if it's wrapped, I don't see that being an issue at all. Do you avoid using toilet paper in public restrooms?
Sam wrote:
"We don't need toilet paper post-urination."
Hmmm . . . based on what I've seen in real-life, while that comment may be accurate for some men, it's definitely not accurate for all!
Ever hear of using toilet paper to wipe the rim, seat, or floor? I think that's a practice a lot of men need to think about
Probably not something the men reading here need to think about, but who knows? I was reading an article in The New Republic about "choice architecture" recently where bad aim was specifically mentioned
Providing *pads* seems more likely, at least in public restrooms for all-ages venues.
When I was in middle school, the girls' rooms had pad vending machines but no tampons for sale. I guess the school admins were afraid of offending parents who think "my little girl should keep her hymen until marriage so she shouldn't use tampons!!!"
The University of Minnesota has recently changed their policy and now provide free tampons and pads in all buildings.
I can't imagine how much it costs to provide tampons for roughly 25,000 female students and who knows how many female staff members.
Sure they aren't the nice kind I buy for myself and sometimes I have to walk down a floor to find them, but when I'm in a pinch it sure is nice.
When Harvard Law School hired its first female president, one of the first things she did was have free tampons supplied in all of the women's bathrooms.
Personally I'm a fan of reusable products, but every so often my period shows up early and I would be grateful if I had free and easy access to a pad and didn't have to go searching for one.
There are no "free" tampons and pads. We need food as well but we don't expect other people to pay for it.
Actually, Anon, there are a number of places which will provide a small amount of food and drink either to employees or to the public, as a nicety. Even restaurants, which charge for food, don't charge for water and bread rolls. The understanding is that you're not going to abuse the privilege. So why not "complimentary" tampons?
A few years ago the Australian government introduced a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a most items, except for fresh food and essential health items. Pads and tampons were given a GST.
The health minister at the time said "As a bloke, I'd like shaving cream exempt, but I'm not expecting it to be."
Cockhead.
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