No I'm not on my cycle but as a man, you go through the same hormonal cycle daily, multiple times daily. So, what part of your cycle are you on this hour?
Then if they say yes, look at them pensively for a moment. “Sorry, virgins and men who don’t know how to talk to women aren’t qualified to earn that medal yet.”
My response to them would be, "ummm, the only vagina you should be concerned with is your partners. Would she like to hear that you are asking about my pussy?"
If the moron responds with the presumption that you are...
"So that's a no then..." followed by returning to something more important than continuing that conversation (literally anything other than continuing that conversation... seeing how many times you can fold paper would be more important.)
Just look at them like they're an idiot for a moment (because they are) and then continue with whatever you're doing as though they hadn't said anything.
“thats none of your business, are you on a sex offender list?” bonus if they quickly try and throw “none of your business” back in your face you can go “Actually Mother Fucker It Is My God Damned Business If You Are A Dangerous Convicted Pervert, Why Are You Dodging The Question?”
I might be downvoted for this but what if sometimes the person asking doesn't do it out of spite but just asks it as a legitimate question without knowing any better?
Keep a ketsup packet in your pocket, pre-opened. Obviously this requires care and prep, but if you can throw a little bit into their mouth before they see what's in your hand I think you'll never be asked that in future.
It’s hilarious how even grown men get grossed out by the idea of seeing or interacting with a tampon most of the time. And if they react like “yea sure” then you can always say “trick question - I don’t wear one when I’m not on my period. But I’m just as witty when I am.”
If you're in the workplace and you are actually a person who menstruates, you can take it up with her as sex/gender based harassment. That's a pretty good comeback.
Ask if they want some, maintain eye contact and slowly start reaching down your pants. They'll be speechless, angry or run, but either way you show your dominance
My wife got asked this by a very sexist co-worker once. She point blank told him "are you asking because you think I'm being a bitch? If that's true.... Then what's your excuse?"
What age group are we talking here? If it's a guy your age and you're in your early 20s:
And that's why I don't go out with boys your age. You're immature. I'm into more mature men.
If we're talking someone mid 30s through 40s:
Is this how your parents raised you to be disrespectful towards women? What would your mom or sister think if some guy went up to them with such a question. (if he tries to play it off as if she'd be fine with it) Then I guess she's a whore and it's part of her job.
I don't know a good comeback, but my ex boss(male) was just being bitchy one day. Work in a grocery, so I go over, grab a bottle of cranberry juice and hand it to him. "What's this for" my girl drinks it on her period she says it helps. Hilarity ensued.
How about "No, but you know what? It IS called PMS because hormonally-linked physiological and psychological fluctuations are common to preceed a period for many people who have them. I appreciate you trying to understand the causes and reasons behind my behavior/interactions with you, especially when others would be antagonistic and/or dismissive instead. That said, I hadn't noticed a difference/issue myself, can you explain what about my expressions/behavior is making you think my mood/behavior is abnormal/situationally inappropriate enough to be hormonal? I am a mature adult person and I value healthy, open communication in my relationships."? 🤔 Obviously, this can be paraphrased to better suit the particular of ones own situation.
Can't speak for all men, but I can speak for some that it's absolutely not necessarily "for a reaction". Also can't speak for all, but can speak for some who have periods, that they don't all hate that question, either.
Regarding the latter, neither my roommate or I am bothered by the question, because like 7/10- the answer is "not yet, but now that you mention it, yeah my emotional state isn't really my-normal right now, so this is probably a sign that I should buy tampons soon." The rest of the time, it sparks honest reflection and sometimes a discussion about how to help one another with whatever's going on.
As to the former, it is just a thing that happens that sometimes people's behavior is perceived as being "off"/different to normal, and- because over time more of society are increasingly aware of things like basic biological functioning- so it's unavoidable that some will be cognizant enough to attribute said uncharacteristic behavior to biochemistry, rather than being petulantly dismissive a'la "wow, this person is just randomly being a raging bitch for no reason."
I personally feel like there's nothing but gain to be had from trying to be more considerate, compassionate and willing to give the benefit of the doubt when people's behavior is perceived as "off ", rather than assumptive and dismissive, and likewise feel that introspection/discussion, rather than defensiveness/snark, is a better response when someone does. 🤷🏽
No, are you?