In 2024, a new viral trend is shining a humorous yet revealing light on the everyday phenomenon of mansplaining, especially when it comes to things women already know very well—like tampons. A viral social media post titled “40 stories of men embarrassing themselves by mansplaining obvious things women already know” has captured the attention of thousands, sparking laughs, eye rolls, and a larger conversation about gender dynamics and communication.
The post, often accompanied by an image of three people laughing alongside text highlighting the awkwardness of such moments, compiles real-life anecdotes from women who have experienced men confidently explaining common knowledge with an air of misplaced expertise. The stories range from men advising on tampon absorbency levels to over-the-top descriptions about products that women routinely use and understand.
One viral example includes a woman recounting how her ex-boyfriend once insisted on buying her “super plus plus” tampons, assuring her with confidence, “Trust me, these are way stronger and better.” She later realized he had no idea what those terms really meant, leading to both amusement and mild frustration. Such tales highlight the disconnect that often arises when well-meaning or overconfident men attempt to explain subjects they don’t fully grasp, inadvertently coming off as patronizing.
Beyond tampons and feminine hygiene products, many of the shared stories in the viral thread touch on other daily situations where men have unnecessarily explained things within female expertise, from how to use a smartphone feature women have been using for years, to personal health and beauty tips. The recurring theme? The uninvited and often redundant advice that women neither asked for nor need, but which men seemed eager to offer anyway.
This collection of stories has struck a chord with a diverse audience, becoming a cultural touchpoint that blends humor with social commentary. Users on various platforms have engaged with the post, adding their own tales and building a thread that serves as a microcosm of broader issues about gender communication. Many have noted how mansplaining, while sometimes trivial, can contribute to feelings of frustration and dismissal among women.
Experts in sociology and communication have pointed out that these viral moments serve as important reminders about the value of listening and respecting expertise without assumptions based on gender. Clear communication and empathy are essential to bridging these common misunderstandings, whether it’s about tampons or any other topic.
Interestingly, the mansplaining stories about tampons have sparked wider discussions around how menstrual health and hygiene are still taboo or poorly understood topics in many social and professional contexts. Advocates say that viral threads like this one help normalize open conversations about periods and break down stereotypes or misinformation.
As the viral post continues to circulate, many hope it will encourage more respectful dialogues and less of the classic mansplaining missteps. In the meantime, the collection remains a compelling, often hilarious archive of the little moments when men “show off” their knowledge – to the bemused (and sometimes exasperated) audience of women who know better.
Whether it’s tampons, smartphones, or any other shared subject, this trend reminds us all that communication is about connection, not correction.
