I like to think that I am fairly progressive and that simple social taboos about buying condoms or sex toys are below me..that I am, in fact, somewhat shameless. I was reminded today that I am not shameless, and in fact, I am incredibly embarassed about my period.

Greeted by my period right before I started work I had to stop at a grocery store to buy some pads. Everything started out okay, I grabbed a pack, lined up, and was ready to girl. As soon as I set my box down to check-out I realized that my entire line was men. I immediately felt severe shame. Sitting there was my lonely box of pads for everyone to recognize. I immediately began looking around the counter trying to find things to cover them with, isn't it weird to only by pads? Maybe I need a candy bar - "too stereotypical!" I think, as if they would be onto me.

Another man lines up behinds me and reaches for that plastic bar thing that seperates your groceries from the next person, he immediately used that bar thing to PUSH my pads forward and away from his groceries. I felt humiliated and disgusted. I quickly threw a magazine in with my pads, as if that would somehow distract people. When it finally came time to pay, my cashier (a woman) looks at my...