My concerns about buying condoms

[lunarcapricorn.livejournal.com]

How do you go about buying condoms?

I'm really nervous about it. I can't imagine just walking into the supermarket and throwing a packet into the basket along with my bread and milk.

Is there a way to go about it discreetly? I don't want funny looks from other shoppers or the cashier (I'm especially worried about what the cashier will be thinking, because I've worked in retail, I know cashiers make fun of people that buy condoms).

I don't know what to do, because if I shop at 3 am when no one is there, the cashier is more likely to remember me, but if I go in the afternoon when it's really busy, more people will see me.

Is it better to go on my own, or take my boyfriend? Is it funny to see a couple buying condoms together?

I've already decided I will go to a supermarket I don't regularly shop in, so if the experience is really embarassing, it won't matter so much. But, should I buy them from a pharmacy instead? Will the sales assistant there be less judgemental and less likely to make fun of me? (And I am talking mentally, to themselves, I don't expect people to physically point and laugh, that would be weird.)

Where do you buy yours and how do you go about it? Is the experience as horribly embarrassing as I'm imagining it to be?

Comments

[dead-corvette.livejournal.com]

I am a cashier and i dont think twice about people buying condoms or tampons or anything.
Take your boyfriend if you feel nervous.
The staff at a pharmacy will probably know more about them than say, a supermarket assistant would, so if you need help, i suggest the pharmacy.

good luck!

[rachelectronic.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend and I buy ours with our regular shopping from a supermarket. One time we went out to buy things for a night in watching films and ended up with a dvd, a packet of condoms and 3 tubs of ice cream and nobody commented on it. I'm sure people in pharmacies/supermarkets have seen it all!

[whoa-breathe.livejournal.com]

This is what I've done too, just wait until I need a bunch of things from the drug store. Then if I am feeling slightly embarassed, which I do even though I know I should suck it up and be proud of myself for being protected, I just toss the condoms in the bottom of the hand basket and throw everything else I need on top. Never had even a less-that-normal look from a cashier.

I think of it this way, my local drug store has a coupon for Trojans about every other week. When I've gone in with the coupon (That makes the embarassment worse, but hell they're expensive!), usually the kind of sale are gone, or almost gone a day after the coupon comes out. So...obviously the cashiers have seen a ton of condoms come their way over the last day and probably are so used to it they don't even notice!

[throbinson.livejournal.com]

I remember that feeling... I usually settled on picking up a few things at the pharmacy or supermarket, rather than just marching up to the counter with only a supersize box of condoms.

[satsumagirl]

Before we started trying for kids, we used to buy our condoms anywhere (except the pound shop) and couldn't really care what the assistant thought. We went to pharmacies, supermarkets, Wilkinsons, railway station shops, public loos. Really, most cashiers of whatever description are most probably thinking about what they are going to have for their dinner or when they will get relieved for their break. If they are immature enough to make fun of a sensible condom purchase then if they do it when you are out of sight you will never know about it and it will be their problem. If it is worrying you so much, then you could just buy them online (eg Condomi.com) and read some of their FAQs as a guide.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Or DO buy cucumbers with them. Lots and lots of cucumbers.

And a couple packs of AA batteries.

Just so people wonder. ;)

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

Lots and lots and lots of people buy condoms! It's not weird at all, and nothing to be embarassed about. If it makes any kind of statement at all, it's something like "I'm just like any other person having sex that is safe and responsible", but for most cashiers it probably only says "here's one more item to scan".

People buy condoms every single day. Lots of people, *every single day*. You're no weirder than the rest of them, so try not to think of it as embarassing. If you feel weird, try to remind yourself that the cashier has seen this before, and will see it again. And then, maybe even try to find it in yourself to be proud that you're doing something adult and responsible! :)

[princess-kessie.livejournal.com]

Not to make light of your situation, but you would have laughed if you had seen me a few weeks ago. My local supermarket have discontinued my favourite brand of condoms and they had reduced the price to $1 per box of 12.

I gathered every box on the shelf, and dumped them on the checkout. I walked out after paying $19 with a bagful of 19 condom boxes. *smirk*

And my checkout girl (who I see *every* time I go there) didn't even try to hide her snorts and mad giggles as I walked away.

*shrugs* Hubby and I will use them up. Their expiry date isn't until mid 2007, and we don't use them for birth control (I am sterile) but for mess control. Besides, with an original price of $12.95 per pack - I think even if we had to throw a few away, we *still* got a bargain...

*grin*

[kristen-182.livejournal.com]

haha that's great! sounds like something my sister would do :P

[inkster.livejournal.com]

Do you have any stores around you with those new do-it-yourself checkout aisles?

When I first had to buy them it was embarrassing, but I didn't really care that much because the checkout person wasn't someone I knew. Maybe you made fun of people after they left, but did you make fun of them to their face? Chances are, they at least act like they're not noticing ;) It's really not as embarrassing as I thought it would be. The first time you kind of feel like everyone's staring at you, but they're not.

Funny story about that. I had to get some antibiotics, so I also grabbed some condoms at the same time. I got the prescription from the pharmacy and went to choose the condoms and the pharmacist comes running after me (after I've already stood there for a minute staring at all of the options) and says that she noticed I'm on the pill and that antibiotics can change the effectiveness of them. I pointed at the condoms and said, "Yeah. That's why I'm here now." She said, "Oh. That's good!" and left :P Nothing quite like having to announce publicly that you're buying them.

[jitteryladybug.livejournal.com]

though that may have been embarassing, i'm (personally) glad that your pharmacist told you. I've known a few women who were never warned that antibiotics changes the coverage of hormonal birth control, and they got pregnant and had to deal with a lot more emotional drama than just getting told to buy condoms. Its nice that some people are warned. :)

[likewo.livejournal.com]

not that i know first-hand, but i think it will only be awkward if you make it awkward, you know?

[newperspectives.livejournal.com]

I very much agree with this! You'll draw more attention to yourself if you're being all crazy awkward about it, anyway. Condoms aren't that big a deal in the scheme of things-- it's not like you're trying to buy a Love Swing, flogger, or anything **really** scandalous :-P

[rasalgethi.livejournal.com]

Some of the bigger supermarket places have self-checkout lanes. Keep an eye out for those.

Cashiers who make fun of us that take 'responsibility' with ourselves need to reconsider whether they should work in a place that openly sells such things..but that's just me.

[orangewrath.livejournal.com]

That was my exact thought when I read that. I think they're laughing because they don't get any, period. :D Ok, that was a bitch thing to say..

Anyway, to the OP, if you're not willing to go through the "embarrasment" of being responsible, I don't know what to tell you. It's really not THAT big of a deal (or a deal at all) like everyone here is saying.

The first time my boyfriend bought condoms for us, the clerk (he actually bought them at Stewart's, if you know what that is) smirked and said, "Have a good night, man."..ya know, a manly sort of thing to say. :P We still laugh about it and I make sure to smile REAL pretty at him when he checks me out for my milk and eggs. :D

[sigma698.livejournal.com]

I get my condoms free from my local health department, but I have had to buy them on occassion. Like likewo said, it's only awkward if you make it awkward. I've worked as a cashier before and never thought twice about ringing up condoms for people. It's just not a huge deal. It's not the cashier's job to judge you, it's not the pharmacist's job to judge you -- it's their job to ring stuff up, take your money, and possibly give change back.

If it's really this much of an issue for you, are there any places in your area that give out free condoms? Like a clinic or something?

[meaningrequired.livejournal.com]

You can buy them over the internet. I did this for a while, also becuase me and my ex had problems getting condoms big enough to fit :S

I just dump them into my trolley on the way round the supermarket like any other item.

You have sex, lots of people have sex. You are doing it protected. It is a good thing!

[breanda19.livejournal.com]

try http://www.condomdepot.com/
You can order condoms and other related items with free shipping! This was very exciting to me for some reason.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't worry too much about people who judge someone who is practising safe sex.

[pirogoeth.livejournal.com]

YES! Exactly! People who judge and make fun of people who practice safe sex probably aren't people you'd want to be concerned about.

[hikerpoet.livejournal.com]

I agree the self-check out or clinics (that often have baskets just sitting out) or online may be good options.

Anyway, I've never worked anyplace that sold condoms, but I do work at a bookstore that sells adult magazines/erotica/all manner of sex guides. Especially this time of year; we have a special display out for Valentine's Day! Like the first poster said, we usually never blink an eye. The only time we may gossip about people is if it is a big group of teenagers giggling hysterically about it (you have to be 18 to buy the mags but not the books) or if someone is really creepy...wearing a trenchcoat and drooling and muttering or something. Otherwise we hardly notice, and if we do, we're not thinking about his or her sex life, we're thinking, "I better go restock that display":).
The only time I did a double take was when my professor bought The Multi-Orgasmic Man. I did NOT need to think about that! He had nothing to be ashamed of, but if I were him, I think I would have made an excuse to have someone besides my student (in an intimate seminar class, so he certainly knew me well...groups of us would go out for pizza and beer after class with him) wait on me!
I have had a couple of semi-awkward situations. When I first started sleeping with my fiance, we just walked right in and grabbed the huge economy-size box, because by that time we were experienced enough it didn't faze us. That was the only thing we were carrying. Then a high school friend I hadn't seen in like ten years got into line behind us. She didn't even look down and seem like she noticed, but I admit I still felt a bit self-conscious. So the buying other stuff you need at the same time may be a good idea, not so much to hide it from the cashier, who is going to see it anyway, but in case you run into your next-door neighbor or something.
Then, there was a time with my high school boyfriend and we weren't nervous about what the cashiers would think, but we were shopping with his step-mom, and we didn't want to hear what she would say. So we were darting around the store trying to avoid her, trying to hop into line without her noticing.
Don't worry, just be mature and natural...chances are it will go just fine, and if something does happen, it will probably seem funny later.

[summer-breeze14.livejournal.com]

I went through almost the same thing. Back in May, I thought I was pregnant. Normally I don't get embarrassed too easily...however, I am 21 years old but I look like a scrawny 13 year old. I was sooo afraid if I'd get any judgements that people would think I was dumb enough to get pregnant at 13. So, I went to a store in another town that I don't normally go to (after going to 3 others in my area and chickening out at the last minute!) and I just did it. The cashier was nice and didn't say anything, he just did his job. So even though it's not quite the same thing, it's not as horrible as you're making it out to be. Chances are, you'll never see the cashier again if you go in a different area.

I was also a cashier in a supermarket and believe me, I've seen it all. I've seen older men in business suits buying condoms, tampons and/or pregnancy tests and they couldn't have been more embarrassed! But don't worry, it's really just a part of life. Everybody goes through it at some point in time. At least condoms are the safe way to practice sex, so why should people judge you? (=

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

I've never had to buy condoms (don't use them in my LTR), but I was incredibly nervous to buy a pregnancy test when I had a mild scare last year.

So I was sitting in the back room at my job, telling my coworkers about how I wanted to take an EPT but was nervous to go buy one. "Oh," my friend Laura piped up, "I'll go get it for you!"

At first I was like, "Oh Laura, don't go through the trouble," but then I realized... no. She HAD to do it, for the comedy value alone.

Why? Because Laura was five months pregnant.

So there she goes, marching into the pharmacy with her burgeoning belly proudly jutting from under her little shirt. She grabbed an EPT, took it to the pharmacy cash desk, and smiled broadly at the pharmacist.

The pharmacist looked at her, looked around, and leaned in.

"Sweetheart," she whispers, "I think I can tell you the answer right now."

"I just want to be sure," Laura replies. "Maybe I'm just getting fat!"

Sheer hilarity, I tells ya.

[rachelish.livejournal.com]

just a word to the wise, if you are going to try to buy condoms "discreetly" at the supermarket: my friend used to work at one, and she said she could tell when people were embarrassed to buy condoms because they would hide them at the very end of all of their other groceries. but, the last item to be rung up stayed on the computer display, so it would say something like "TROJANS... 12.99" That being said, she was never making fun of anyone buying condoms when she told me that, she was just pointing out the irony that they were trying to hide what they were buying and it ended up being up there staring at them while they paid.

the first time i bought a box of condoms i remember being nervous, but in my head to decided it would be much easier to put down a box of condoms in front of a stranger at the cash register than to tell my mom i had gotten pregnant or an std from not using a condom. like others have said, you should feel proud you're doing something to protect yourself, and you will definitely not be the first person the cashier has seen buying condoms. if they are in the store, people are buying them all day every day.

[solestria.livejournal.com]

I once bought condoms and videotapes together. They were completely unrelated, but it was a rather amusing combination.

Seriously, people buy condoms. People buy all sorts of things, but condoms are a completely common-place purchase. I can't imagine the cashiers really care much one way or another, and if you try to hide it, I imagine that'll make it stand out more. Go buy them when you go to the store. It doesn't matter, and the chances that anyone is going to care are pretty low.

[cherrychick069.livejournal.com]

i just wanted to say that your icon is REALLY funny.. and i can't stop laughing about it. haha.

[kaelstra.livejournal.com]

When I was a cashier, I didn't care if people bought condoms, and I doubt anyone you go to will either. It's just another purchase, no big woop.

I'm not embarassed buying them, because I'm not embarassed about my sexuality. It's not really anyone's business, but I figure, hey if they smirk at condoms, I'll smirk right back-I'm getting laid dammit, and I don't care who knows.

The only time I ever made an issue of a customer buying condoms was when it was a group of frat boys from the local college. They came in, bought a ton of liquor, flowers, motor oil, and condoms. I couldn't resist-"Planning a fun night, eh boys?"

"damn straight!" they replied. We all laughed, it was awesome. Seriously, don't worry about it, the clerks don't care. Many supermarkets have self-checkout lanes now too, so use those if you're that embarassed.

Be proud of yourself for practicing safe sex. ^_^ Better to be a little embarassed to buy rubbers than to have to go get an STD exam, or pick up Valtrex from the pharamacy, yanno?

[sexyjamie.livejournal.com]

Motor oil? I am so glad I don't date frat boys. =p

[katarokkar.livejournal.com]

I haven't bought condoms in a while, but when I do, I'm more proud than anything else.

It's like a declaration of "Wooohoooo! I'm getting laid!"

[zellie-bean.livejournal.com]

Haha wow, am I the only one that's gotten weird looks and "comments" from cashiers? ;p I'm sure they see that stuff ALLLLL the time, but man I always get it ;p once the lady shook the box and smirked at her friend and once I got, 'ooo, item of the day!' I cracked up at that though and the lady was like, 'What're you laughing at?' '....ITEM OF THE DAY...??' 'Have a nice night!!!' Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. More amusing than embarressing, I don't find anything embarressing about the fact that I have safe sex along with the millions of other people who do ;p

[kaoticspiral.livejournal.com]

if your in college try going to the health center and just picking up some or going to planned parenthood and doing the same -- no one thinks anything about it.

i just go in and buy them just like i'd buy anything else.

if you are over 18 and have a sex store near you, you could buy them near and no one would give you funny looks at all.

[fshk.livejournal.com]

It's been a while, but I used to buy them at the local Big Chain Pharmacy, where the condoms are kept right next to the pharmacy section. The first time I bought them on my own was kind of scary, but you just take a deep breath and pretend like you're buying tissues or something mundane, and then walk out and it's over. And once you do it a couple of times, it gets easier. (I used to find it even more embarassing when I bought condoms with my boyfriend, because then I felt like everyone in the store knew what we'd be up to that night.)

If it makes you feel any better, I was buying Tylenol at a Walgreens a couple of weeks ago, and got in line behind a woman who was buying 2 kinds of condoms, massage lotion, and lube. What I thought to myself was, "Wow, that girl's gonna have a much better night than I will." The cashier didn't even flinch when she rang up the woman's purchase.

[adina77.livejournal.com]

THere is nothing to be embarrassed about buying condoms. I know this isn't the right ting to say but its been said to me. "if you are embarassed to buy condoms, then you shouldm't be having sex". I sometimes buy a few other things with the condoms. But overall, there isnothing to be embarassed about.

[auroracrystal.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing, it's not my place to say it, but something all the lines of " if you aren't mature enough to buy condoms with out worrying than you really shoulndt be having sex", has been said to me more than once.

[classical-wolf.livejournal.com]

I bought them at the college campus market once, just put them right on the counter.

My boyfriend's bought them at a convinience store and also online. With stores that sell them, since it's an item they carry, it shouldn't be a shock that people are buying it. With buying them online, they came in a discreet package (he had them sent to me), and that was that.

There's nothing to be nervous or embarrased about :)

[wickedrhapsody.livejournal.com]

first of all, a cashier is not someone whose opinion (negative or otherwise) is going to have a very important effect on your life.

secondly, whats to make fun of about someone who buys comdoms? anyone who would make fun of someone who buys them obviously either isnt getting laid, or doesnt have the faintest idea of how or why one would want to practice safe sex. or else theyre immature teenagers who still think sex is funny. POSSIBILY they're mega religious or something, but in that case you wouldnt get made fun of, you'd probably be pittied because you're going to hell as far as theyre concerned.

what id like to know is, what these cashiers you know actually say when they make fun of people who buy comdom. do they like, chortle and say "ooo, that loser is going to get laid tonight, and she probably wont be getting pregnant! poor chump...harharhar"?

seriously, people have sex. its not a big deal. the fact that you're using protection is something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

[orangewrath.livejournal.com]

AHAHAAHA, thank youuu. I agree 100%.

Are you a little ticked off about this? I know I am.