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Buying condoms?
I'm finally in a serious relationship again, and I've been spending a lot of time with my boyfriend. We appear to be getting closer to sex, and I thought I'd buy some condoms myself. You know, just in case...but not in a "suggestive" way.I know that he has them, we were talking about it a few weeks back, but then I thought that if he sleeps over at my place...it might be reasonable that I have some in my night stand, seeing as he keeps most of his in his night stand. What do you think? And how judgemental are people about females buying condoms? I'm planning to go to a drug store or maybe at the supermarket. If any of you work in a shop, what do you think?
Thanks, much appreciated.
(16, female)
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Usually we, the cashiers, don't care what you bought or took; all we care about is get over with it ASAP and hope our shift ends soon. Just act like normal and you'll be fine; we really don't care. Don't be too self-conscious.
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That being said, however, I've seen some other cases:
--Some people go to the self-checkout lane and check it out themselves.
--I noticed that some people buy some other stuffs as they buy the condoms, too, though I've never understand why. I mean, a pack of gum and random junk food aren't going to render the condom invisible. It's probably make more sense if the person might as well buy duct tape, robe, a gun, and a shovel (e-hem, just a joke, don't try that, lol).
--Some cashiers--usually the old ones--might give you a funny look (believe it or not, this happens), just simply ignore them. However, if you are the type who gets embarrass easily, I suggest you go to a younger cashier (twenty-something or less years old); apparently the new generation view sex "slightly" different than the old generation.
--Some cashiers--usually guys (I am included =P)--might chuckle a little bit, or make the whistling sound. Don't worry about us, we just want to mess around sometimes, hahaha. If this happens, simply say, "Hey, it's better than the morning-after pill," or, "Aww, so a girl has never done this to you?"
(These don't happen often though, so you could careless. Just act like normal.)
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UPDATED from your feedback:
Not skeptical of your decision at all. I only explained what went through my head as various people go through my line with condoms. If you interpreted any such feelings from me then I do apologize but you may want to re-think your own decision, as you may have placed your inner-feelings into my words and "read into" some things I wrote that were not directed at you. (It's just the psychology of the human mind, that is all. Nothing "personal" here.) No need to feel you need to defend or explain your decision with me. :)
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Well, I work at a supermarket that sells condoms and I worked at a smaller store a few years ago that sold condoms. I've sold condoms to really young people and much, much older people. Overall, the younger people seem too immature to be dealing with sex and the older people purchasing condoms seem very ashamed of it.
What goes through my mind though? "I hope they know condoms don't protect 100% against pregnancy and I hope they realize they're still at risk for all sorts of STDs and STIs." "Man, I hope they're seeing a doctor to make sure things are safe..." Sometimes, when the person seems fairly young, I think something around the lines of, "Man, I hope they're serious with whoever they're doing this with. I can't believe how some 16 year olds are with people they've only been dating for like a month and a half and think they're ready for this crap."
I hate it when the customer seems ashamed of the condom package. I can understand the shame when they buy the pills for erectile dysfunction but condoms? No. If you hide it, we notice. If you have it under things, we notice. If you held it in a secretive manner, we noticed. We notice if you have turned it upside-down and around to where the labels are not readable to the other customers. Personally, I think it's stupid. If you're going to have sex then you should be better at buying these items. They aren't shameful. At least you're TRYING to prevent pregnancy.
We also notice if you buy the giant packages of condoms, multiple boxes, or anything else that screams, "I DO EVERYONE!" We also notice if you're buying every "pleasure pack" that is available in the store or every sort of warming, tingling, more-excitability lubricant we offer. We notice if you've brought your partner in and are all over them--that is just downright nasty sometimes. I've asked customers if they were trying to conceive when they bought ovulation-testing kits, and I've asked customers if they're hoping for a positive or a negative when they buy pregnancy tests. I never ask about condoms but if you ever buy either of those above then be prepared for small questions like that. Oh, and for note, we notice when you buy the condoms, the lubricant, and the pregnancy tests ;) we know then that you KNOW condoms aren't trustworthy and I truly hope you are using a good back-up when it comes to preventing pregnancy.
When a woman buys condoms I think no differently of her than if a man does. It doesn't even cross my mind about the gender of the customer when they purchase these items. I do think differently if the person seems goofy, embarrassed, or has an ego about them. Be nice and respectful to us and we're not going to think badly about you. The more "grown-up" you act about it, the happier we view you as a customer. (Just for other note...NEVER go through the checkout lane while you're on your cellphone. We all HATE that so much, you have absolutely no idea how rude that is to us!)
So, when you go through the line, make nice conversation. "How are you?" "The weather is really XXXXX today! Be happy you're inside/I'm sorry you can't go out there and be in it!" "Wow, it's very busy in here today. I hope you get a break soon!" "Wow, there's not a lot of people in the store today. I'm sure that makes for a very long day. Hopefully it picks up a little in here for your sake!" You can also be more personal if the person is wearing jewelry of any kind or anything that seems to stand out. "Oh, wow, I really like your make-up. What brand do you use?" "Those earrings are nifty. Where did you get them?" Or, simply, talk about your day a little if they ask, "Oh, today I had to go XXXXX and XXXXX...I'm pretty worn-out and ready to get home and relax. This one television show is coming on tonight that I'd really like to see. It's called XXXXX...have you heard of it?"
Don't over-think the purchase. Be kind, friendly, and mature and we are not going to look down on you.
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I never get judged when i buy condoms, they usually smile because their happy your having protected sex instead of unprotected sex :)
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