At what point in a relationship is it acceptable to ask a guy to go buy tampons from you? EMandLO.com's Wise Guys weigh in...
Straight Single Guy (Max): Ok. So there you are. Your girlfriend, who may already be SUPER cranky, has run out of tampons. At this point, I can dig the need to "go to the store" and get a breath of fresh air, but who is stupid enough to tell their girlfriend NO when they're in such a state? MAN UP and buy the girl her tampons. I understand that a lot of guys are grossed out by a girl's period, but seriously, get over it. How can you be so opposed to a product that keeps your girlfriend's sacred nether regions from looking like a viking battlefield? (That was a little extreme, but you know what I'm saying.) I myself am an advocate of just putting a towel or two on the bed. In fact, I've always found it frustrating when girls won't have sex on their period because they're too self conscious about the blood. Assuming you take measures to protect against the transmission of STDs, what's the problem with a little vampire role playing?
Gay Committed Guy (Mark): If he won't do that for you, let him figure out how to suck his own damn c*&%.
Straight Married Guy (Ben): He HAS to get you tampons if one of two criteria are met: 1) you've been a couple for three-and-a-half years* OR 2) you've gone through some traumatic experience together. If it's case number one, then you are right to require him to get over himself and pick up tampons at the store. He can hide the tampons in beer and magazines, with a whole load of groceries if he likes -- coping mechanisms are fine. If he loves you at this point, he loves ALL of you, including your period. If it's case number two and you've endured some kind of trauma together (getting in a bad car crash, terminating a pregnancy, being held hostage on a speeding bus that can't go below 60 miles per hour or else it blows up) -- even if it's in your first month as a couple -- he should do anything you ask, no question, whenever you want, forever. Because after something like that, things get put in perspective real quick.
*Note from Em & Lo: For the record, dudes, we think 3.5 years is about three years too long to be feeling squeamish about buying tampons for someone you've been seeing seriously.