(no subject)

[bzarcher]

litagemini writes about what it means to grow up and be a Woman as opposed to the perceptions of growing up and being a Man.

I think it's a very good read, and I can think of at least three of you (samanthalake,neversremedy,worldmegan) who might like to read it and comment.

Comments

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

She had me until she said "women who think it's perfectly all right to act hysterical 2 days a month and then blame it."

If she doesn't have debilitating PMS, yay for her.

But she has no right to look down her nose at those of us who do. I either suffer extreme depression that can't be shaken until Shark Week starts, or I suffer crippling cramps that only sitting very still on a heating pad can alleviate. Aleve? Hah. Tylenol? Please.

[litagemini.livejournal.com]

I have emotional ups and downs during PMS also. The primary reason I said that, is because I don't feel it's proper to use PMS as an excuse for total asocial behavior. For leaving a party early? Sure. For getting in to a small disagreement with a friend or spouse? It happens.

But you still are ultimately responsible for your behavior during those ten days. You can't just say "pms lol" if you've burned bridges or hurt feelings and expect all to be well again. It's not a get-out-of-society-free card.

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Okay, that's clearer, and understandable.

I work customer service/tech support, and while pmsing or during shark week itself, I am cranky, in pain, and more sensitive than usual [and I am too sensitive for most people at my default setting].

But it's my job to be nice to people; not just decent, nice. They have to hang up glad they spoke to me. So, yes, it is on us to behave respectably.

I tend to either withdraw or freak out, but I mostly tend to freak on LJ rather than at others. Mostly. I don't always manage it but I try not to take it out on others.

And, okay, I've dealt with the "pms lol" reactions, too. The way it was phrased, it sounded dismissive of all pms reactions.

[litagemini.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry if that was what you thought. I really only intended it to point to people who use PMS as an /excuse/ for bad behavior, because, we ought not to hold them responsible for themselves during that portion of time for some reason. The reason I don't like that argument is it makes women seem as if they're clinically crazy or "have a condition" or something...and thus can't be trusted with responsibility or leadership... and I'd rather not be judged that way.

If I do get testy I try to count to ten and remember what time of the month it is... and all that. It's not that I don't suffer from cramps and the ususal (though I do fine if I'm on The Pill).

Sorry for TMI in your LJ Matt.

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Alas, if I'm on the pill, I am free from the Death Cramps but not from the insanity. The pill makes the mood swings more like mood planetary arcs.

Also sorry for TMI, Matt.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Eh, Lisa's been on her period for most of the past 2 days, and I've gotten to hear all the lovely details - I know the mechanics and all. :D I just can't really make any judgements on what it feels like and/or how it will affect mental states.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna be a coward here and say that you are both my friends and I'm physically incapable of having an accurate opinion on this due to lack of equipment.

I think that you guys are going to talk it out based on the other reply to this, but I'm not really gonna take sides.

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

"Shark Week" brings a whole new layer of meaning to the phrase vagina dentata.

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Vagina Dentata, what a wonderful phrase...

[litagemini.livejournal.com]

That IS a very interesting turn of phrase I may some day need to steal.

[litagemini.livejournal.com]

Thanks BTW for the crosslink.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I do like putting my money where my mouth is.