I hate buying condoms.
Of course, I do it because I don't want to contract diseases or get pregnant. But still, it's not a pleasant experience.
First, there's the whole process of choosing what condom to buy. Seriously, I don't understand how Durex and Trojan come up with this stuff. Do I want it flavored? Extra thin? Warming or cooling? How many should I get? What size?
It's enough to make me wish there was a little condom fairy to appear and land on the condoms I should get.
Of course, I also have to do all this whilst avoiding the judgmental glares of the little old ladies passing by the "Family Planning” aisle.
Then there's the dilemma of what else to buy. See, I feel awkward just buying condoms, but whenever I need to buy condoms I never need to buy anything else. So then I have to decide what else I want to buy.
Magazines have the added benefit of being large enough to cover the condoms, but sometimes I'm broke and only buy a stick of gum. But that makes it obvious that I really only need the condoms, and that's just embarrassing.
Worst of all is facing the cashier, because I never know what kind I'm going to get. Some wink or laugh or make a comment. Others give me a pointed stare. Others clearly feel just as awkward as I do. The worst, though, is the occasional judgmental soul who won't say anything, but we both just
know.
I know that I shouldn't be embarrassed to buy condoms. I'm taking steps to protect myself, and I have a thankfully active sex life, which I'm not ashamed of. But I don't want everybody in the world to know about it (yeah, yeah, I write for Datingish, but that still provides some anonymity). And it's not as if they're all judging me when I walk into Walgreens. But sometimes, it feels like they are.
So I hate buying condoms. Do you?Image Source
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Comments (75)
Stop being a wimp.
Much less than I hate paying for 18 years of an unwanted kid.
or you could just bareback it like all the cool kids do? try buying a big bottle of ky with your condoms next time, that'll be big enough to cover up the box. i have my go-to spot where the shop owner knows me by name and condom brand. that way, i save myself the hassle of having to choose, because the guy already knows what i always get.
@UnconventionalButterfly@xanga - hahaha i loled at this.
I'm glad when I can buy condoms because it means I'm getting laid. One of the best times I had was going to the store with my g/f and buying a box. The cashier said "Have fun" and we both laughed and said, "We will."
If it's that big of an issue have the male buy them, make them do the "unpleasant" work. Or just don't give a damn what other people think, I sure as hell don't. Who cares what some random person in the store thinks anyway?
Awesome picture.
I mostly hate buying condoms because I don't have sex.
Believe it or not, I'm still alive.
@chaosandtranquility@xanga - Most random people in stores don't think.
I think you can buy them online now.......right?
@crazygrampastuey@xanga - Hell, you can get free samples of the newest and most expensive ones online.
They gave free condoms away at a 5th grade potluck dinner at my elementary school.
Might just be my city.
you can order them in bulk online.
Or, just go on the pill.
I hate buying them because they never let me try them on at the store.
I hate it too, haha, trust me. I always end up running into someone at the store, and have to awkwardly hide them somewhere and make normal conversation. And I always dig my way to the back of the shelf for fear that people stuck needles in the boxes in the front. Ugh. And what kind! I don't know what he wants on his dick! Bah. No fun, but necessary.
Do you really think the cashiers care? They get people buying condoms and lube and tampons and all that nonsense every single day. Believe me, I've worked at a cashier in a store before - we barely even notice what you buy, let alone care about it.
I ordered this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OJZJSW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
No joke. LOL! I didn't know where to begin with condom selection when I had to come off the birth control pill for medical reasons but still had to prevent pregnancy. And there's something nice about having a variety to choose from. Cheaper this way, too. DO IT.
Do a survey of relevant males; meaning your bf if you're in a relationship, or a wide selection of random trusted guyfriends if you're not, and never wonder which kind to buy again.
Then go in confidently and strut like "I'm getting laid tonight, boo-yah!" :)
Hubby and I are always together. We're usually not just getting condoms; it's usually part of a grocery trip. It's probably funny to watch me price comparing and asking him, "Hey, what about these?" and him being all, "Just pick something, as long as it isn't warming or cooling or tingling, I don't care".
My husband and I even bought them for my sister and her then-boyfriend when the four of us were together. They were scared someone would see, even though all applicable parents knew what was going on. lol
We've never gotten weird looks or anything. It's their job to ring shit up and most of them don't give a crap. We've bought condoms, ovulation tests, and pregnancy tests (and tampons?) in the same trip, which is probably a little unusual. I don't think the cashier even noticed.
My boyfriend and I don't mind, usually we'll ask each other what we wanna try this time, next time, etc. I've even gone with my best friend to buy the huge Costco bulk packs for her and her husband. I don't think it's a big deal, most cashiers don't really pay attention from what I've noticed, and if they do, who cares? It's your sex life, not theirs.
I only bought condoms once but I wasn't embarrassed, maybe because I was drunk? And it wasn't for me so that didn't make it awkward. But! My family owns a convenient store so when I need to be safe I would just snag it from my store when no one is around :) although before I did grab a few condoms from the health services at my school.
When I did have to buy condoms (yay birth control!), it was at my boyfriend's store (he works at a rite aid). He always made me buy them because he felt funny about buying them from where he worked, which I still don't get cause obviously they know who I'm using them for.
Anyway, condoms to me are like tampons and toilet paper, no one really gives a shit. As long as you look old enough to be having sex I don't see the big deal.
It's condoms. Get the hell over it all of you. I'm always proud to buy condoms and JUST condoms. Sometimes I go and get some whip cream and chocolate sauce and buy all three of them just for fun to watch the cashier's face. AND it's even more fun if you run into someone you know.
I will say, though, that when we first moved to this small Tx town, I was shocked to find that condoms were behind lock and key at the local grocery store. In order to buy them, you had to get a manager to unlock the case for you. I told my husband that I wouldn't be surprised if there was a high teen pregnancy rate here because of that. I bet that discourages/embarrasses teens from buying them.
@sarahsmurfette@xanga - Wow thats so weird!!
I dont have sex that much, so usually the guy gets them. However, I'm not naive enough to believe the guy will always have one, so I have a stash I've collected from various PP trips.
Cashiers are likely thinking about what time they're getting off...
Pun only half intended.
@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - Well said once again.
I remember it being awkward the first time at the Rite Aid because I had to have the pharmacist get them. They were on a hook with a magnet to keep them from getting stolen. But you just gotta man up (or woman up) and be proud you are keeping yourself safe. I felt more embarrassed a few months ago buying medicine for my yeast infection.
But no, buying condoms and lube with my Egyptian boyfriend in Egypt was much worse, and I hated going with him, but he didn't know what to get. I knew the male pharmacists were probably thinking "looks like this man found himself an American whore".
Least awkward was just going to my university's "HEART" department, which basically you only when to to buy condoms and lube and read sex education pamphlets (I think they did other things, but mainly know as the sex dept).
they have the variety pack online that saves money since it is a wholesale lot and you can try different styles, so you can pick your favorites to buy more of later if you like them. brands from japan, known brands from the states, lubricated, nonlubed, ultra thin, glow in the dark, ribbed, regular, his and her pleasure or whatever, with aloe, tuxedo black, flavored and colored. that's all that I remember.