“SEX AND THE CITY”, a hit tv show, is full of tips about love and living in New York. Alas, many of them are not fit for print, but one recommendation is to always have a tampon handy. In an early episode from 1998 Carrie and Samantha are desperate to dine at Manhattan’s hottest French bistro. With no reservation, and faced with a recalcitrant hostess, the women give up. But when that same hostess finds herself caught short in the toilets, she bashfully asks Carrie for some sanitary supplies. Soon Carrie and Samantha are seated, martinis in hand. “From that moment on we never had a problem getting a table at Balzac again,” Carrie says.