Embarresed to purchess Durex/sex products in chemists

Mc Kenzie

Hey Ladies.

I wandered did anyone else feel this way..or maybe its just me.

I'm not trying to be rude, so i hope I am not offending anyone.

The other day i went to purchase some durex products in the chemist for me and my boyfriend in the bedroom. But i felt quite embarrassed to go up to the guy/lady behind the counter seemed like those very helpfull and inquiring shop assistants and mainly in fear of them thinking yep!... thats what shes getting that for! lol

I know its probably not!...but i dont want to seem pervy browsing through that isle on my own.

I baught things like this before only there was a young girl my age and didn't batt an eyelid.

Does anyone else feel this way...or any advise.

Much apriciated thank you !

athtrasna

Invariably the stuff the scanners never work for properly are condoms, tampons and pregnancy tests lol.

If buying in store is embarassing, I can highly recommend lovehoney.co.uk for online buying of anything "bedroom related". Well priced, fast delivery and in very discreet packaging (brown cardboard boxes or padded envelopes) with no hint of what might be inside. They also have a loyalty scheme

sammyjo90

I feel that way too,I know in this day and age i shouldnt but i do! but i just think to myself " hey im being sensible! Just do it.." Once the awkward eye contact and fumble at the till is done then the ordeal is over and i go off on my merry way!

Legs.Eleven

I see you live in London, OP. Is not possible to buy condoms in the supermarket over there?



I used to get embarrassed too when I was young buying condoms from the chemist but I can guarantee you they wouldn't bat an eyelid and sell all types of stuff for all kinds of ailments in a chemist; I'd say you'd be hard pressed finding something that embarrasses people who work there of all places!

Don't forget most sexually active people use them, including those who are selling you them. You're choosing to have safe sex and I'm presuming you're above the legal age, so you're a woman and you have nothing to feel embarrassed about. You're doing the sensible thing.

Mc Kenzie

Thanks every one.

Getting them delivered a good idea. Oh I actually used to live in London so im not there now. When i was there it was not a problem cos who new me.

Im in Dublin now so not a major prob with bumping into someone i Know as its highly unlikely. But thanks for the tipps.

I well over the stage I should be for being embarrassed,,,but i should just do it next time....Thanks a mill for the replies

Thoie

Even if you don't have a bag with you, most chemists will wrap condoms etc. in a small paper bag, and will put that inside a bigger bag if you need it. The staff are always very discreet. Don't give it a second thought!

pampootie

I work in a pharmacy, it's all the same to me if someone is buying condoms or buying a toothbrush! Nobody would think you pervy for browsing durex products and the like, it'd be very hypocritical of them to anyway since they're selling it.

i remember once, about 3 or 4 years ago, i headed into the local supermarket to do my 'big' grocery shop.

so, first aisle i got to was the one with the condoms, so i threw the big box into the trolley, ( 12 or 24 condoms, cant remember which)

anyway, walked around the corner only to meet one of the lads from work in getting his lunch!!
and then another one walked around the corner!!
both stopped to chat to me.....

both just looked at my empty trolley apart from the mega box of condoms in the bottom of it.......

scarlet!!:eek:

Neyite

I met my sister-in-law in the chemist. While I was buying conception lube and folic acid. :P

kylith

Pharmacists spend their days selling pile cream and other, much more embarrassing, things so I wouldn't say they even think twice about selling condoms. They more than likely have used them themselves, after all.

I remember being in a chemist's with my mum when I was young, probably about 12 or so. A man walked right up to the counter and loudly asked "Where do you keep the rubber johnnies in this place?" I remember looking at my mother, aghast at this man's brazenness and she just said "You should never be embarrassed about doing something normal". Stuck with me that, I'm never bothered about buying tampons or my pill. If the cashier has a problem with it it's their problem, not mine; I'm just doing what every woman does.

I went into a drugstore in the US when I had indigestion and asked for a box of Rennies, the coloured ones. The guy winked at me and took to to the condom shelf and pointed out the coloured, flavoured ones. I was so embarrassed, I couldn't explain I had meant to ask for an indigestion remedy. I was only 17 and I turned strawberry red.

I just took the ones he handed to me and paid for them. I think I'm the only person in the world who's been embarrassed into buying condoms.

cson

Something intrinsically Irish about being embarrassed about buying condoms. Almost as if you're expecting the Pharmacy staff to question you - "What would you be doing with these now? You wouldn't be thinking about having SEX now would you?!"

whiskeyman

Just fire them into the shopping trolley / basket. No one bats an eyelid.
Although, I've a similar story to bubblypop!
A mate was in the shop after work on a Friday, and went to the checkout with his basket.
A female colleague just happened to join the queue behind him, and ask 'so, any plans for your Friday night?' at which point she just glanced at his basket contents - a bottle of wine and big box of condoms!

liliq

cson wrote: »

Something intrinsically Irish about being embarrassed about buying condoms. Almost as if you're expecting the Pharmacy staff to question you - "What would you be doing with these now? You wouldn't be thinking about having SEX now would you?!"

When they were illegal until relatively recently, it's easier to see where the attitude comes from.
We're only the second (third for the younger ones!) generation who can legally use contraception in Ireland.

When I moved out of home first my mum made me but condoms but was too embarrassed to go to the counter to pay. I was mortified!

iuil1999

I have a rule with my thirteen year old son about life in general including girls, sex etc. It's "if you're embarrassed to talk about it, you shouldn't be doing it!" I'm trying to make sure that he talks to me about problems etc as he gets older.

allym

iuil1999 wrote: »

I have a rule with my thirteen year old son about life in general including girls, sex etc. It's "if you're embarrassed to talk about it, you shouldn't be doing it!" I'm trying to make sure that he talks to me about problems etc as he gets older.

This! Exactly how I've always thought about it.
I've never been embarrassed buying condoms or anything else of that nature because honestly, it's not a big deal. The people who are selling them to you sell them several times a day and anyone else in that aisle is buying the same!
Although I did have an older woman behind me in a queue tut loudly when I was buying a box, which I thought was incredibly odd and really rude.

LoonyLovegood

I was stared out of it once by the pharmacist when I was buying some before. I've no issue with it, I'd rather a small amount of embarrassment than a baby, like!

pwurple

allym wrote: »

Although I did have an older woman behind me in a queue tut loudly when I was buying a box, which I thought was incredibly odd and really rude.

That's fairly mental... would she prefer you to be having unsafe sex?

IvyTheTerrible

I'm not embarrassed at all by buying condoms or anything else. I do remember with an ex boyfriend, I always had to buy condoms because HE was too embarrassed.

Malari

pwurple wrote: »

That's fairly mental... would she prefer you to be having unsafe sex?

I think she'd prefer they were having NO sex! :pac:

It's never bothered me to buy these kinds of things. Maybe because I'm a dur'y sluh!

What I think is funny is people extrapolating their own hang up and putting them on the innocent pharmacist, the pharmacist or shop worker couldn't care less about what your are buying they are not judging you, you are judging yourself for some reason its all in you own head and why on earth would any one think condoms are pervy.

A funny story about sanitary products, years ago my daughter was going baby sitting I was dropping her there, on the way she wanted to stop in Centra to get some sanitary produces, anyway she pick up a pack with no price on them and goes up to the counter where they are two young guys working, the guy behind the till take the pack and goes scarlet and mumbles to the other guy how much are these the other guy goes equally as red as says I don't know maybe 50c!!.

That so true if your are too embarrassed to talk to about it you maybe shouldn't be doing it.

Lyaiera

I really don't think you should tell people that they're experiences are wrong. If someone says the pharmacist was giving them the evil eye I'll believe it. It's not your place to tell people that really they were in the wrong.

Lyaiera

Lyaiera wrote: »

I really don't think you should tell people that they're experiences are wrong. If someone says the pharmacist was giving them the evil eye I'll believe it. It's not your place to tell people that really they were in the wrong.

The op did not say the pharmacist gave them the evil eye, I was trying to make the point that there is noting to be embarrassed about in the first place, some people do have a tendency to put their own hang up on to other people ( particularly older people )and imagine they are being judged when what's really going is they are judging themselves.

pharmacy is a profession and a business, they do not go around giving young customers the evil eye for buying lube and condoms ( unless they are lunatics of some sort )

A mature midwifery student was telling me that some of the 18 year old in her course started to giggle and get embarrassed when their tutor was talking about vaginal examinations so maybe that sort of thing is common but I think it is so sad now ward days when there is so much information thats easy to get.

pwurple

mariaalice wrote: »

A funny story about sanitary products, years ago my daughter was going baby sitting I was dropping her there, on the way she wanted to stop in Centra to get some sanitary produces, anyway she pick up a pack with no price on them and goes up to the counter where they are two young guys working, the guy behind the till take the pack and goes scarlet and mumbles to the other guy how much are these the other guy goes equally as red as says I don't know maybe 50c!!

Heh! Awesome, I'd be back in a shot to stock up at that price.

Frank Black

Couldn't you buy them in a supermarket instead of a phamacist? It would surely be less embarrassing if you could just put them in your basket along with a few other regular grocery items like some bananas, a cucumber........oh, wait.

clairefontaine

How old are you OP?

Aidric

No need to feel embarrassed at all, it's all in your head. If you really don't like buying condoms over the counter you can use a vending machine.

anewme

Long long time ago.....jaysus must be all of twenty years!!! had to make a visit to the Family Planning Clinic in Dublin for the morning after pill. (now that I look back there was no real reason to go, but thats another story)

Anyway, boyfriend comes with me and we go into reception and eventually are called to the desk. I sat and hid around the corner so she thought he was on his own and himself was sent up to the desk. He did not know what to say and came out with "ehhhh, I want to see someone about getting pregnant"

The look on her face was priceless but she remained professional. We were mortified at the time, but now even thinking about it makes me laugh.

Fukuyama

I've worked in retail a lot. It's only funny when you try to HIDE the fact that you're buying condoms, lube etc... If you just go in an buy them the cashier won't even bat an eye. Waiting for the shop to clear and slyly approaching the counter as though you're buying a kilo of heroin will make it funny/odd.

I worked in a late night petrol station. At around 11pm one night, myself and a colleague noticed on the CCVT a car parked around the back. Two people in it, heavy petting...:rolleyes:

About five minutes later we hear a loud bang on the window (we served through the hatch at night). It's only your man shouting "Have ye got any johnnies!!!!HEEYYY!!!! Have ye got any JOHNNIES!!! I need condoms mate!!"

That's about the only time I've ever taken the piss out of a customer for buying condoms, mainly because he clearly seen the funny side of it himself.

RainyDay

Reminds me of this little story that I came across on Facebook over the weekend - I guess it comes from the US, so their Nair is our Veet

My wife found out that our dog (a Schnauzer) could hardly hear, so she took it to the veterinarian. The vet found that the problem was hair in the dog's ears. He cleaned both ears, and the dog could then hear fine. The vet then proceeded to tell Andrea that, if she wanted to keep this from recurring, she should go to the store and get some "Nair" hair remover and rub it in the dog's ears once a month.

Andrea went to the store and bought some "Nair" hair remover.

At the register, the pharmacist told her, "If you're going to use this under your arms, don't use deodorant for a few days."

Andrea said, "I'm not using it under my arms."

The pharmacist said, "If you're using it on your legs, don't use body lotion for a couple of days."

Andrea replied, "I'm not using it on my legs either. If you must know, I'm using it on my Schnauzer."

The pharmacist said, "Well, stay off your bicycle for at least a week."

Women that buy condoms are great - it should always be a shared responsibility. So, fair play to you, OP!

Something I've always noticed is that the smaller pharmacists you might get in a shopping centre/town/village are horrible for buying condoms in. Any time I go in to do this, I always feel like either the shop assistants or other people in the queue are just staring at me. I remember once or twice getting dirty looks and slightly-audible tuts from them. My usual reaction is, "what? you'd rather I wasn't being responsible? You're a pharmacist, you should be thanking me." (well not really thanking as such, but you get my point)

Also it seems that whenever I choose to buy condoms is when there's almost certainly going to be some elderly people in the queue too!

Just to add - I used to be embarrassed, but I quickly forced myself over it. Now I stand proudly in the queue, with condoms/lube/assorted products on display. I mean, there's nothing wrong with any of it, so why shouldn't I?

Meauldsegosha

Thoie wrote: »

Even if you don't have a bag with you, most chemists will wrap condoms etc. in a small paper bag, and will put that inside a bigger bag if you need it. The staff are always very discreet. Don't give it a second thought!

This reminded me of a few months ago I was in the chemist buy some condoms. I put the box on the counter while I got the money out of my purse and handed it to the assistant, I then picked up the box of condoms to put in my handbag. The assistant quickly said "oh let me put them in a bag for you". I just just smiled and said they were fine in my handbag. It did make me think that people are obviously still embarressed about buying condoms.

Plutharc

Just buy them in Boots as they all have self service scan kiosks so no embarressment there if you still feel a bit put out.

Gongoozler

I knew a girl before who wouldn't buy batteries.. because she was convinced the assistant would think she was getting them for a vibrator.

Couple of weeks back i was around town with my boyfriend having a drink in a pub, we'd been to the chemist earlier, bought two packs of condoms (on offer) and a pack of hankies (I had the sniffles). We left the pub, realised ages later we left the bag behind. So i had to go back and ask did anyone leave in a boots bag, knowing they'll be likely to have checked out what was in it. But yeah, it's not something adults should be embarrassed about. That's not to say I'll discuss with my dad what type of condoms I use.

gg2

No wouldn't be embarrassed, but will echo the poster who suggested love honey- simply for the price and variety, plus it takes no time to arrive!

Axwell

You know right well the pharmacists that stare you out of it are thinking like that lad in the Moro ad on tv a while back ...Dirrrrttyy

poundapunnet

I only have one condom story A friend of my mother is a pharmacist, said back in the day she was working, this auld lad comes in and asked for "the boss", she said he wasn't there. Your man came back a few times over the course of the day, she kept offering to help him and getting "ah no no no, I'll wait til himself is here". She knew well he wanted condoms (there was a matchmaking festival on in the town, it's a magnet for prostitutes and lonely farmers) so eventually just told him so and said cop on and she'd sell them to him.

"Well, eh, what kind of...sizes do you have"

"They're all just a standard size, really"

"Oh jaysis girl shtandard wouldn't do me at all!"

gg2

gg2 wrote: »

No wouldn't be embarrassed, but will echo the poster who suggested love honey- simply for the price and variety, plus it takes no time to arrive!

Do they come in a jiffy?

Balaclava1991

Mc Kenzie wrote: »

Hey Ladies.

I wandered did anyone else feel this way..or maybe its just me.

I'm not trying to be rude, so i hope I am not offending anyone.

The other day i went to purchase some durex products in the chemist for me and my boyfriend in the bedroom. But i felt quite embarrassed to go up to the guy/lady behind the counter seemed like those very helpfull and inquiring shop assistants and mainly in fear of them thinking yep!... thats what shes getting that for! lol

I know its probably not!...but i dont want to seem pervy browsing through that isle on my own.

I baught things like this before only there was a young girl my age and didn't batt an eyelid.

Does anyone else feel this way...or any advise.

Much apriciated thank you !

I don't get embarrassed when I am buying toilet paper because everyone will know pooh is coming out of my bum.

You are being ridiculous and childish.

The rest of the Western world is using contraceptives.

Penny Tration

I used to get embarrassed buying them when I was 17, but now (24 now) I don't care.

I generally buy them in the chemist where I work. The woman who works there is also one of my regular customers. Any time I buy them, she makes a joke, asking do I have a night in with the boyfriend planned. I usually joke back, saying something like 'yeah, actually I better swap that for a 12 pack, it's gonna be a long night' and we just have a silly laugh about it.

It's a good thing to buy condoms, it means you're being safe. I understand why there's still a bit of a taboo around sex, but I refuse to play into it.

Aidric

Comedy interlude but relevant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxgHTI0N4FI

Boskowski

Haha reminds me of that joke video I saw where someone shy walks up to the counter trying to be clandestine about their purchase and then your one at the till screams across the packed shop 'Hey Mary aren't those strawberry taste condoms on buy one get one free at the moment?'.

pow wow

An ex of mine only had a problem buying them if there was a particularly young girl serving on the counter, as if handling condoms would ruin her innocence :P