I can only imagine the search queries that went into locating this delightful bit of clip art, which now decorates the ladies’ room at a medical school in Philadelphia. Now pour Lady Sansa some wine.
related: The Shark Week Scriptures
extra credit: Public Toilet Survival Kit
49 responses so far ↓
#1
Cake
As a culture, are we really still so ‘icked’ out by periods that we need to refer to them with these (fairly decently creepy) metaphors?
That picture pretty much seals in the creepy factor.
Tulips don’t even come from eggs!
Nov 28, 2012 at 2:39 pm rating: 58
#2
shwo!
That flower looks a bit like Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Which title, come to think of it, would be another good euphemism.
Nov 28, 2012 at 2:48 pm rating: 29
#3
just me
the fact that they need to put a notice like that is disgusting itself. mind your manners!!
Nov 28, 2012 at 2:54 pm rating: 9
#4
Wrench
*Total skeeve warning*
When I was in basic training, I was the “head PO” — in other words, in charge of keeping the bathrooms and showers clean.
I cannot tell you how many times we found all manner of used sanitary items — pads and tampons — stuck to the shower and stall walls, stuck to toilets, under sinks. It was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen — I don’t do that IN MY OWN BATHROOM, much less when showering with 100 other women.
What really disturbed me, though, is the knowledge that it meant that women were removing their tampons *while showering with 100 other women.* (It was open-room showers only.)
I really… I don’t even. Women are disgusting creatures.
Nov 28, 2012 at 3:06 pm rating: 31
#5
makfan
I seriously think “Your Red Flower is Blooming” is way more creepy than “having your period” or even plain old “menstruating.”
Nov 28, 2012 at 3:37 pm rating: 38
#6
JeffSaysICant
Oh look! And a picture of a flower . . . blooming . . . out of an egg? And isn’t “flower” already taken as a euphemism for “virginity”? Maybe this jumble of symbols means something far more complicated than we think it means . . .
Nov 28, 2012 at 3:46 pm rating: 14
#7
Tesselara
Obviously, the author of this poster is the same guy in those old black and white movies who ties blondes to railroad tracks, cackling evilly.
Nov 28, 2012 at 3:59 pm rating: 19
#8
Animal
Let’s face it: humans are disgusting creatures. You may not like it, but it’s pointless to keep pretending it isn’t true. This also applies to the recent hand-washing post. The world is dirty and messy and we are part of it. Embrace your inner slob and you’ll be a happier person.
Which is not to say people should leave bloody pads stuck to the wall (or dirty toilet paper anywhere it doesn’t belong) but, seriously, pre-bagging menstrual waste so other women won’t have to see the blood? Get real.
Nov 28, 2012 at 5:15 pm rating: 11
#9
Vex
Wait. We’re supposed to throw away the brown bags?
Nov 28, 2012 at 6:06 pm rating: 24
#10
anotherfool
If you turn this note over, it goes on to say, “and then take THAT trash can and walk it three blocks away and put it in a hermetically sealed plastic container at the hospital supply store, 12.99. And then drive THAT to the local incinerator so that the icky thing that Cannot Be Named is gone from our consciousness forever. Signed, the woman who doesn’t have any orgasms because she’s so horrified by her own genitalia.”
Nov 28, 2012 at 6:48 pm rating: 26
#11
Blinx
Ok, I can help explain the system (but not the graphics). My old company had signs like these as well. The thing is, there were little metal trash receptacles attached to the stalls that held the little brown bags. I think it USED to be that you threw out your “waste” into these receptacles, but then they changed it to throw the brown bag into the larger trash can in the rest room.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say about 90% of women’s restrooms, you dispose of the waste while still in the stall, and to change this system throws us all for a loop, especially since there’s a little trash can in the stall!
P.S. Since the sign is at a med school, you think they’d go the other way and use a highly scientific medical term/illustration!
Nov 28, 2012 at 8:45 pm rating: 17
#12
Katieriffic
Now this is a new one. Reminds me of the delightful euphemism from The Order of the Stick: “The Red Knight is requesting lodging.”
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:23 pm rating: 8
#13
Ali Longworth
Not only is the euphemism both lame and creepy, it is completely unnecessary. If a woman ISN’T having her period then why the fuck would she want to dispose of her “feminine products?”
Nov 28, 2012 at 10:58 pm rating: 14
#14
H for Toy
I’m with whoever it was that said, “Instead of periods, can girls just get a text once a month from Mother Nature saying ‘You’re not pregnant. Have a nice day!’”
Nov 29, 2012 at 7:13 am rating: 42
#15
Adriana
The brown paper bag reminds me of the Anal-Retentive Chef skit from SNL. Anal-Retentive Menstruater?
Nov 29, 2012 at 9:01 am rating: 2
#16
redheadwglasses
The note writer also says “pee pee” instead of “penis,” “hoo ha” instead of “vagina,” and “making love” instead of “fucking our brains out.”
Nov 29, 2012 at 9:39 am rating: 6
#17
sushimama
“Having your period” is also a euphemism. Just saying.
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:17 am rating: 13
#18
Dana
The bit that gets me is that you have to carry the brown bag out of the stall and bin it ! I would find that a bit embarrassing if the bathroom was busy !
Also the pads then get thrown into the normal waste – shouldn’t there be a special disposal system ??
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:39 am rating: 6
#19
Jamoche
Nobody’s yet pointed out that this sign is at a medical school. Just what I want – a doctor who’s afraid to use proper terminology.
Nov 29, 2012 at 12:13 pm rating: 19
#20
Aunt Flo
The little trash receptacle in the stall should be usable. I shouldn’t have to leave the stall with my used feminine products in my hand, bagged or no.
Nov 29, 2012 at 3:12 pm rating: 15
#21
Dane Zeller
I think I’m going to be sick. I’m suffering from eupheminasia. Excuse me while I pray to the porcelain goddess.
Nov 29, 2012 at 3:58 pm rating: 6
#22
Eileen
The red flower thing reminds me of those films we used to watch in Health class. They were at least twenty years out of date and refused to use anything but cutesy euphemisms for our bodily functions. I never asked what the ones for the boys were like, but I imagine they were just as bad.
Nov 29, 2012 at 4:01 pm rating: 6
#23
meow
“Your red flower is blooming” is Games Of Thrones reference. You are welcome, internet.
Dec 2, 2012 at 8:20 am rating: 3
#24
Therita
Not sure what country this post is from. In Australia -every- public/school/business bathroom has a special trash can that isn’t emptied by the cleaners, but by specific companies that deal with that type of waste.
Wrap it in TP or (in the case of pads) in the packaging of the next one and place it in the bin.
You only get little bags (never seen brown paper ones, these are typically white plastic ones) in hotels since you don’t have the special bins there.
Dec 3, 2012 at 11:33 pm rating: 2
#25
M
LOL at the euphemism for menstruation but in all fairness, if that is what gets some ladies who weren’t properly trained to dispose of their used items accordingly, then carry on.
Reminds me a few years ago when in my former job whenever I would go to use the bathroom, there would be used pads or tampons either on the floor unwrapped for one’s viewing pleasure or bits of blood still left on the seat. .:shudders:.
Dec 4, 2012 at 10:53 am rating: 0
Comments are Closed