Home > Life > Digital Culture

Boyfriend buying tampons for girlfriend asks whether she wants 'lemon or lime' flavor

Jokes aside, it sparked a very real conversation.

Sage Anderson

on August 26, 2019

Aunt Flo waits for no one. There comes a time in every relationship when she will bust in the doors, and you will be tasked with the sacred, late-night convenience store run.

Too often, it's this classic scenario: the boyfriend gets squicked out by having to even make eye contact with a floral pad box in the aisle of a Duane Reade. But at least there are others who have their heart in the right place, even if they juuuust miss the mark. Twitter user @broganpaget posted this text exchange with her BF who's a little confused, but got the spirit.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Of course, this is probably some witty banter, and a way to ask which type she prefers. But surprisingly, after the tweet went viral, instead of just clowning the guy, a genuine conversation started in the replies about the lack of knowledge men are taught about menstrual products, and periods in general.

Mashable Trend Report

Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means.

By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Thanks for signing up!

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

But it lead to many people screenshotting the conversation and sending them to their male partners, and man, are these answers kinda sad. Makes you almost want to put up a big billboard that says "IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY AND GOOGLE IS FREE."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Men, if you don't menstruate (because there are men that do), you've got to step it up. Your confusion and discomfort when faced with menstrual products is just another casual contribution to period stigma. But the good news is that you can show that you trust and support your partner by being open about that time of the month, and yes, by going out in public to purchase tampons.

The resources are out there! You can always look up information on what different tampon marketing words mean (no, tampon "size" does not have anything to do with the size of someone's vagina.) Or you could, ya know, just ask your partner to be specific on what brand, size, type of tampon they want. I guarantee they will have a preference, they've been doing this their whole lives.

But seriously, no one should be using scented tampons. Leave the flavors to the condoms, okay?

Sage Anderson

Sage is the newest Culture writer on the block at Mashable NYC. They recently graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and have previously worked for The Dr. Oz Show, NorthSouth Productions, and on Netflix's 'The OA Part II'. Off the clock, they can be found testing out cupcake recipes, collecting dolls, and watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure for the millionth time.