Dealing with a *whisper* "woman's issue" while out in the world?

Question

The other day I was at work. To make a long story short, one of my female coworkers was being a real, um, well, for the sake of politeness, let's just say cranky person. I asked her what her problem was, and she just sighed, saying, "I'm on my period, okay?"

I rolled my eyes and walked away. As I was leaving, I saw the intercom system. I came so close to getting on that thing and making the announcement "Attention everyone! Make sure you walk around Ann (that was the woman's name) on pins and needles today. She is having her period. I repeat, she is ON HER PERIOD. Thank you, and take care."

Well, I didn't make that announcement. But I can't help but wonder if I should have. It's not my fault--or anyone else's fault for that matter--that she is menstruating. I mean, I'm sure she's feels bad, and she has my sympathies. But I, too, have days when I feel bad, and it's comparable to her situation. And I don't take it out on other people. I expect the same courtesy in return.

I guess I got so busy giving the details that I forgot to ask the question.

Should I have made the announcement? If not, how should I deal with people like Ann? Her behavior was inexcusable.

Answer 1

As much as it would be like giving in to her, I would suggest just walking away and letting it go. Though I do think your eye roll was a nice touch.

Personally, I think that her telling you she was on her period was an overshare. That is a personal matter. And no, she does not have the right to take it out on other people. I think the announcement would have been a bad choice, so kudos to you for not doing it. I can see the temptation to get on the intercom and make that announcement. And really, in some ways it would have served Ann right. But you could have possibly lost your job for doing that. You would have definitely gotten into some trouble with the manager, at least.

Overall, it has been my observation that males are generally not allowed to mention women's periods, or even acknowledge that they exist. So your mentioning her period in any way would have made the situation worse, probably.

But, Ann should be called on what she did. Just because she doesn't feel well, doesn't mean she has a right to be a you-know-what to everyone else.

Answer 2

I don't really mean to answer a question with a question, but what do you think would be accomplished by making that announcement ?
If you made that announcement, she would be further irritated and the situation would escalate. Since you are already annoyed by her, why would you do something to make the situation that much more worse ?
If you want to solve a problem or at least find some way to reduce the amount of stress it is causing, than try to come up with ideas that can bring a positive result. Your right about it not being your fault, but remember that not everyone can react to having a bad day as well as you can. Try some kindness - it may be just what she needs on a day like this to feel like someone is on her side.

Answer 3

No, it was good that you didn't make the announcement. I think the fact that you thought out the announcement in your head should be satisfaction enough...sort of like when you write someone a letter when you're angry but don't mail it. It can be very painful and unpleasant for a woman to be on her period but I still don't think that gives her the right to treat her co-workers like trash...she should save that for her husband (no, just kidding). Also, maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think telling someone "I'm on my period, okay?" is just a bit too much information. Why can't someone just say, "sorry, I'm not feeling very good" or something like that? Anyway, I think you did the right thing to just walk away and not making any further comments that might have made her angrier and gotten the situation out of control. In the future, you might just want to say, "sorry you're not feeling well" and walk away. I guess I don't really have a good solution but I do think you did the right thing to NOT make that announcement. Good for you! I'm sure it must have been verrrry tempting!! :)

Vicky

Answer 4

Its hard when your on your period. Sometimes a woman is so cranky that they can't even stand being around themselves (trust me--it happens at least one day a month with me)Our hormones are going nuts, everything gets under our skin. As far as the annoucement...its better that you didn't make it =) Its best just to smile, and keep walking in situations like that.

Answer 5

Personally, as someone who suffered horrendous cramps during my "time of the month," I can sympathize with bitchiness. It was absolutely excruciating to the point where I couldn't stand up and it literally felt like knives were being shoved into my stomach and twisted over and over again. Heating pads and all the Midol in the world barely took the edge off. I was in so much pain I couldn't bear to talk to anyone for fear I would burst into tears. Until I got them under control with medical intervention, I stayed home from school and work as it wouldn't have been fair to me or to any of my peers to be present in that situation. Now, that is a *rare* case and I admit that when not suffering from cramps like that I'm just mildly irritated and emotional, which is more common. However, I recognized that I wasn't fit to work when I was in so much pain and took the time off. Maybe your job isn't as flexible as mine was, and she's forced to work while in a lot of pain?

Or...maybe she's just a b*tch and she's using PMS as her excuse.

Answer 6

The announcement would have been poor form on your part. When someone's THAT cranky, just take some solace in the fact that even after you walk away, they're still suffering, and get on with life.

Answer 7

Heres how you should deal with people like ann,first off realize that is a cycle and you are the one who is trippin women rock every part every thought every thing of what they are your just a lame who cant take it and the truth of the matter is you sound like and asshole and u were probaby hung over that day why blame a woman for your sorry existence hell if anything if i knew you all id probably be the one taking care of ann and when she came to work she wouldnt be in a bad mood

Answer 8

mate, i assume you are a guy, therefore - unless you have "problems" you have never had a period, therefore you don't know what it feels like, when i was 16 i used to get some periods when i was literally on the floor in agony, that was like the worst sh*t ever. its not something you can control, some people are fine, some people aren't, i know you'll say we're taking the p*ss but it is all dependant on hormones. also it's a typical up-himself man attitude with the whole sarcastic *whisper* comment and talk about a *woman's issue*...

Answer 9

rib tickling laugh, i cannot give u a star becoz am in level I so i'll say one joke 2 sardars were fixing a bomb in a car. Sardar 1 : What would you do if the bomb explodes while fixing. Sardar 2 : Dont worry, I have a one more.

Answer 10

No don't announce it but the next time you see her act just as cranky as she did then when she asks why, tell her you didn't get laid last night and see how she reacts! lol Women always seem to think if things are not going their way they have the right to act up, but they never seem to be willing to accept that kind of behavior from men. Which in my opinion just as rude and sexist as they always try to claim we men are! They claim they only want to be our equals but then expect us to treat them better than they are willing to treat us! I think it is high time that mens rights be considered just as important as womens ! Yes Ladies I'm a man with issues but I defy any of you to come up with a reasonable explanation as to why I should'nt be!