Unwanted Input

Unwanted Input. We've all received it at some time or another.  The old woman at the wedding who pats your hand and says, "Don't worry dear, someday your prince will come."  Someone younger person telling you they would never make they same type of mistake you did.  Sure kid, just you wait.  The naturally thin person commenting on what you are eating after you totally saw her pound a piece of chocolate cake.  Anything your mother says about your clothes, hair, weight, life choices in general.  That stranger in the grocery store that comes up and touches your baby or gives you advice on your screaming toddler.  Unwanted input. Be vigilant. It can really sneak up on a girl.

There are two types of unwanted input that are particularly sneaky.  This input adds insult to injury and kicks a girl when she's down.  I'm talking about cough drops and maxi pads people, and they need to learn to keep their mouths shut.

First, maxi pads.  If you've bought the "Always" brand of maxi pads lately, you've opened it up, gone to pull the little piece of paper off the "wings" and seen this message:

If you've had a period, you'll know there isn't much happy about.  Sure, we should celebrate the miracle that our bodies can produces new life and is working "properly".  We might be celebrating the miracle that our body is not currently producing a baby.  But once that initial feeling of relief subsides, annoyance at the inconvenience of being a slave to your cycle sets in.  For the next few days, your choices in food, clothing, and activities all revolve about around this little period.  We ladies are strong, we can handle it, adjust to it, but we certainly don't have to be happy about it.

Halls Cough drops are my next offender on this list.  Their "pep talk in every drop" philosophy just doesn't work for me.

 

"Bet on yourself."  "March Forward."  "Put a little strut in it."  A strut?  With this red nose and rockin' sweatpants.  I don't think so.  I think the advice they should be giving is "Don't worry, no one is grossed out by your hacking."  "You look sexy in sweat pants." or "Your not the reason your co-worker started bringing Lysol to work."  Maybe even "That soccer mom who just lathered her kid with Purell conveniently strapped to her purse with a bright yellow silicone cover is just neurotic.  It's not you, it's her."  That, my friends, would be helpful.  

Unwanted input.  It comes from anywhere.  Perhaps it is coming from this blog right now (but then, why would you be reading it?).  Feel free to leave your unwanted (I mean wanted, very much wanted) input below!

DISCLAIMER:  I was too lazy to take my own pictures.  As I searched for images for this blog I found that this idea is not an original one (gasp, say it ain't so).  The Halls Picture comes from Mike Bindrup who seems to be a marketing guru who likes the pep talk concept.  The Always picture came from DeBie Hive who has a great post about.  Also, goggle "Have a Happy Period" and click on images.  You will laugh.  You will laugh hard.  You might pee your pants.