Of Sanitary Napkins and Tampons

First Stop: Mercury Drug


So this is what happened. I walked into the store, then, I approached the counter. I asked the counter guy there if they had tampons available. I expected his reaction would be sort of awkward, and I was right. His face screwed up and his eyes rolled a bit, as though confused. Then he muttered something like “Sir, para po sa inyo?” It was the weirdest thing. I was dumbfounded as much as he was. I couldn’t figure if he was joking or something. Well, I just laughed, and then replied, “No, for a girl, of course. Do you have them? I only need one.” He went in and got back with the tampon after a short while. I paid him and went out of the store.


Second Stop: Merced Drug Store

I got into the store and walked straight towards the counter. I asked the cashier if they had tampons. I wished her reaction wouldn’t be the same as that guy’s at Mercury Drug. She replied, “Sir, ano pong tampon?” I said, “Ginagamit yun ng girl when she has her period. Some sort of an alternative to sanitary napkins.” She faced the other employee and shouted, without the slightest bit of awareness, “MERON BA TAYONG TAMPON? YUN DAW PAMALIT SA NAPKIN? NAGHAHANAP SI SIR.” Oh my God! Well, yeah, wish granted, but this is definitely getting worse. Everyone else in the drugstore was looking at me with different expressions on their faces. I wished I would melt or sink into the floor right that very moment. The other employee said, “Sir, wala po e.” I replied, “Sige miss, thanks na lang.” Without glancing back at them, I started to walk towards the doorway. So much for tampons.


Third Stop: Manang Belen’s Sari-sari Store

I walked a few blocks from home to reach Manang Belen’s Sari-sari store. Once I got there, I said, “Manang, pabili po ng napkin. Kahit ano lang.” She asked, “May wings?” I said, “Sige po, kahit ano.” She replied, “O, pwede na ba tong Modess?” Then I said yes and she sold the sanitary napkin to me. No questions asked. I guess she just got used to guys buying napkins, maybe for their sisters, or maybe, for their mothers. So, no biggie. Let’s try another store.


Fourth Stop: Unnamed sari-sari store.

I walked another few blocks from Manang Belen’s Sari-sari store and came across another one. There was no name. I didn’t think it was even registered. There was a guy inside the store. I approached him and said, “May tinda kayong napkin?” Grinning, he asked, “Meron. Baket ka bumibili? Isusuot mo no?” I muttered, “Yeah, right” under my breath, and then replied, “Hindi. Basta. Meron ba kayo? Kahit anong tatak lang.” He gave me the napkin and I paid him, and then I went straight home.


CONCLUSION:

Although these experiences have been the most embarrassing and liberating ones in my life, I can say that my group mates and I really did enjoy this activity and did learn something that we may consider food for thought. That is, not everyone in this world does know what a tampon is.