In today’s complex and evolved society, there is one common denominator that links us all. It captures our attention and is the driving force behind our mundane lives. It corrupts us, excites us, enthrals us and subconsciously controls us. This ‘thing’ is sex and in times like these it’s considered to be ‘not such a bad thing’. The media is littered with it. From the likes of Lady Gaga and Madonna parading around on stage in less than their underwear singing sexually laced anthems, to the cleverly crafted advertisements we see in magazines that subtly play with our dirty minds.
Children are becoming more aware of sex from a younger age and with the internet’s abundance of pornography it’s no wonder they’re found locked in the bathroom accompanied by their laptops and iPads. The supposed awkwardness surrounding sex has seemed to somewhat have disappeared. The sex talk used to be a conversation a parent would have with their child explaining the birds and the bees. Today, children no longer need to be told about sex because it surrounds them. Adolescents spend hours in front of the mirror perfecting their appearance before slipping out at night to try and ‘come right’ with the less familiar gender. University students reconvene after nights out from partying to swap stories regarding their sexual encounters, the guys issuing high fives and the girls giggles of excitement. The forum for sex and topics concerning it has grown immensely and extended into what used to be considered not so kosher territories.
Children are becoming more aware of sex from a younger age and with the internet’s abundance of pornography it’s no wonder they’re found locked in the bathroom accompanied by their laptops and iPads. The supposed awkwardness surrounding sex has seemed to somewhat have disappeared. The sex talk used to be a conversation a parent would have with their child explaining the birds and the bees. Today, children no longer need to be told about sex because it surrounds them. Adolescents spend hours in front of the mirror perfecting their appearance before slipping out at night to try and ‘come right’ with the less familiar gender. University students reconvene after nights out from partying to swap stories regarding their sexual encounters, the guys issuing high fives and the girls giggles of excitement. The forum for sex and topics concerning it has grown immensely and extended into what used to be considered not so kosher territories.
My mission this week was to involve myself in an uncomfortable and awkward situation. Many possible activities came to mind but I chose to take an alternative route and rather create such a scenario for myself. My destination – Clicks pharmacy, health, home and beauty store. From the surface, Clicks may seem to be the most inappropriate place to conduct such an experiment. It is an ordinary store frequented by ordinary people buying ordinary things.
This is all true. However, some ordinary products are found to be more awkward that others when purchasing them. Such products concern those of a sexual connotation. The majority of people these days find it uncomfortable buying something as simple as a condom. They usually attempt to avoid this awkward transaction by disguising it in their shopping basket amoungst a number of ‘normal’ items.
My question is: Why does it have to be so awkward? We live in a society where sex is praised, so the fact that you are actually having sex (or hoping to do so) should be something to take pride in, right?
This is all true. However, some ordinary products are found to be more awkward that others when purchasing them. Such products concern those of a sexual connotation. The majority of people these days find it uncomfortable buying something as simple as a condom. They usually attempt to avoid this awkward transaction by disguising it in their shopping basket amoungst a number of ‘normal’ items.
My question is: Why does it have to be so awkward? We live in a society where sex is praised, so the fact that you are actually having sex (or hoping to do so) should be something to take pride in, right?
Clearly this logic does not extend to the customers at Clicks, myself included. On my visit to the store, I interacted with sales personnel while pretending to be interested in a variety of sexually concerned products. My interest ranged from the morning after pill, to condoms, to lubricants and even male performance enhancers. Despite my disguised detachment from the product for any personal use, I still found myself feeling incredibly awkward and uncomfortable throughout the conversations I had with the various Clicks employees. I felt I was blushing the entire time while Sharmain, a shop assistant, was explaining to me the different types of lubricants on offer and their unique benefits.
Even while browsing through the collection of condoms on the shelf I felt I was being considered a complete pervert. According to the ‘sexpert’, the rimmed condoms provide extra pleasure for one’s partner, while the magnum is the safest bet for contraceptive practice. The alternative, only when necessary, would be the morning after pill. When it came to requesting this “I’m too young to have a baby” pill at the pharmaceutical counter, I was politely informed that as a male I could not be the one to purchase such an item.
That was one of the many catalysts to my feelings of discomfort, the staff’s professionalism. You almost want them to have a laugh while serving you just to acknowlege their understanding of the awkwardeness attached to such conversations. It would have made me feel a bit more relaxed and slightly less judged.
Even while browsing through the collection of condoms on the shelf I felt I was being considered a complete pervert. According to the ‘sexpert’, the rimmed condoms provide extra pleasure for one’s partner, while the magnum is the safest bet for contraceptive practice. The alternative, only when necessary, would be the morning after pill. When it came to requesting this “I’m too young to have a baby” pill at the pharmaceutical counter, I was politely informed that as a male I could not be the one to purchase such an item.
That was one of the many catalysts to my feelings of discomfort, the staff’s professionalism. You almost want them to have a laugh while serving you just to acknowlege their understanding of the awkwardeness attached to such conversations. It would have made me feel a bit more relaxed and slightly less judged.
What it all come down to is the question I posed earlier – “Why does it have to be so awkward?”.
People will always be private beings. We enjoy our space and despise our dirty laundry being aired in public. Sex may have a profoundly casual prominence in our society, but this sentiment doesn’t necessarily extend to our own “sexcapades”. Despite sex’s celebrity, the intimacy attached makes people very protective over it. Bottom line is, you don’t want every Tom, Dick and Dirty Harry knowing your business, especially when it involves cherry flavoured lubricant.
People will always be private beings. We enjoy our space and despise our dirty laundry being aired in public. Sex may have a profoundly casual prominence in our society, but this sentiment doesn’t necessarily extend to our own “sexcapades”. Despite sex’s celebrity, the intimacy attached makes people very protective over it. Bottom line is, you don’t want every Tom, Dick and Dirty Harry knowing your business, especially when it involves cherry flavoured lubricant.
Interesting topic, although it feels a bit lacking in reporting of your actual experience - conversations with people in the shop are glossed over and you seem to skim through this. This part could have had more depth and detail. 65
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