Does anyone else feel embarrassed buying.....

[GirlOnIt]

Condoms? I know it's silly, I'm a grown up with a child but still I feel embarrassed.
Called to the supermarket this morning for a few things, Dp reminded me needed some. Thought fine I don't need much will do to self serve save my embarrassment. Picked up a bottle of wine so of course they have to authorise it and the guy wanted to check id. Fair enough but he looks in the bag I've already packed and all I've got in there is condoms and squirty cream (not for that, I just really fancied a hot chocolate with cream).

I'm sure he was smirking and then I got flustered because I couldn't get my drivers licence out of my purse and I could feel myself blushing

I got home and told Dp I'm not buying them anymore, he thinks it's hilarious but suspiciously always seems to forget to pick them up himself.

I was embarrassed buying a pregnant test (at 39! so silly). Hate buying sanpro from male staff, and whenever I have to it is ALWAYS male staff only at every desk.

I live in another country, and buying writing practice workbooks for my daughter's schoolwork is embarrassing because the clerk always gives me a patronizing smile, assuming that they are for me (I write the language fluently BTW....)

But it's fine to get the pill for free.
The consequences of not buying them would be more expensive for the NHS.

Sure, but for most of us posting here, it is not a choice of "get them via the NHS or stop using them." We can buy them at the shop, even if we don't exactly enjoy the experience. I am sure the NHS only provides these things for free in attempt to "reach" super-shy teenagers. Those of us who are not shy teenagers need to put on our big-girl pants and get them at the shop, even if it's slightly embarrassing. I hate buying tampax at the till but i would never demand that taxpayers pay for it for me--I can survive a little embarrassment.

Ex-H always said he didn't mind picking up the tampons and towels. He said everyone knew they weren't for him, so it was like a big neon sign that said "I HAVE A WOMAN!"

As a 40 something woman, I have been buying condoms for enough years, so no embarassment at all. I was brought up in France and it was really no big deal. ‘Back in the UK these days.

I usually pick them up as part of the supermarket shop, but I needed some extras the other day and popped into Boots. I was a bit shocked though when (male) shop asistant as he handed them to me said “enjoy”!

I've bought them for my son in the past, I think I've gone through the self check out with them, if I remember rightly.

As a cashier I have seen alsorts of things and many buying condoms. We get use to it and its second nature to us now and it's not like we analyse every customers shopping we scan through. Don't be embarrassed

Think a marrow, is going a bit too far?

I hate buying tampax at the till but i would never demand that taxpayers pay for it for me--I can survive a little embarrassment.

I really dislike this 'taxpayers' guff.

I'm a 'taxpayer' as we all are in one way or another, ultimately STIs aside it's women only who require sanpro and women who bear the physical consequences of pregnancy. I have no issue with people getting condoms for free. And the idea that this will bankrupt the NHS or that a few free condoms will even make any significant difference is utterly ridiculous.

I needed to get some supplies the other day for lunch and at the same time I thought I'd buy a bottle of lube for later. Anyway I ended up buying a tin of hotdogs and some lube. How weird must I have appeared...

nope!
i lived in a flat with 2 girls and 2 guys, one night we went grocery shopping and one of the guys was a bit of a joker and while us girls were at the tills unloading the cart he was at the other end of the aisle yelling and waving ( boxes) asking if we wanted condoms, we said no, then a min or so later he comes running up to the tills in front of everyone with his arms filled with tampons and pads asking if we needed any cause hes got some for us if we need, all with a shit eating grin on his face.... kinda doesn't bother me no more if im buying them... had a conversation about tampons in the supermarket with one of the grocery managers last week... they have removed one of the two brands of applicator tampons that they sell and now just have Tampax!!!!!! so we had an in depth convo about the tampax expanding length ways where as the U by Kotex expands width ways.... natural bodily functions and being responsible... shouldn't be shamed or embarrassed!

Serendipity, I applaud you if said manager was a man? Surely not? No way could I do that, a woman yes.

31weeksgone
I love the fact that there are condoms and Nytal on the shelf next to each other shopper would walk up to shelf and go which one should I get today a good night's sleep or wild sex

"Sure, but for most of us posting here, it is not a choice of "get them via the NHS or stop using them."

Why is it OK to get the pill for free and not OK to get condoms for free. There's a better argument for condoms being free as they also prevent STD transmission. Why is it fair that someone on the pill doesn't have to pay, but someone using condoms should pay even when free ones are available in your opinion?

Seriously look on lovehoney, they do 100 for £20. Plenty of choice and major brands.
I found this when out when the cost for 3 was crippling us and another baby was to risky to my health

I think for me personally. I'm happy that condoms are available for free for those that need them and to encourage their use amongst young people. In the same way I'm happy that all prescriptions for children are free. I won't get free condoms because me and Dp can afford them, we don't need them for the protection of std's and we don't plan on using them as a long term contraception. Just like I won't get calpol on prescription for Ds, we don't need to.
The pill is different in that you need a prescription. At the moment contraception is free to all, that might change and I'd be happy to pay for my pill but I wouldn't want there to be a compulsory charge.

Personally if I can buy it myself I won't get a prescription even if it would be free. It might not make a massive difference but I like to think if more people who can, pay for what they can. Then we're more likely to be able to keep offering the free things we do for those who really need them.

Badly put, but I'm trying to feed Ds at the same time. But that's why for me, I wouldn't get free ones unless we couldn't afford them.

@PigletJohn

I'm curious, what would you use the washing line for?

im in my 40s and my son asked to get some( free from family planning )i felt like a naughty teenager )lol and then asked me what kind they were colour ribbed non ribbed and im on the phone telling him im sure my face was red lol but at least he was being sensible didnt want an unexpected pregnancy

Haha, one of the most embarrassing experiences ever was buying lube with my Sainsbury's order. I hadn't been clicking the plastic bag option for a while now, so everything had come individually.

The delivery man literally handed me the lube

I'd also be mortified buying condoms. They're ordered through Amazon now!

I used to be equally embarrassed buying tampons. Post-DC, I couldn't care less

I once bought some condoms as a young looking 17 year old at the Co-Op chemists. The middle-aged woman who served me gave me the coldest, hardest, deadliest death stare I've ever seen. If looks could kill I'd be six feet under. I never bought them again.

We each have a responsibility for ourvown sexual health and wellbeing. So we really should not be embarassed about buying condoms.

I too have had the “daggers look” shop assistant in the past. So I winked at her!

Petmad, Then you just wish they were 5 again ☺️. Anyway, whilst it's nice for parents to get their children these embarrassing purchases I was thrown in at the deep end. First period mum handed me a sanitary towel, possibly two. I was on my own after that ☹️. Anyone remember those ones with the loops on and a sanitary belt?

I was once standing behind a man at Sainsburys who had a bottle of fizz, a bunch of flowers, a large pack of condoms and a tube of KY Jelly. He didn't even flinch

buy 144 at a time, and be grossly oversexed.

I wonder if it's less embarrassing for men? Dp said he'd happily buy wine, flowers, chocolates and condoms and not think anything of it.
Although that begs the question why the hell doesn't he then.

OP, I thought you'd been well and truly taken in - until I read the last sentence ☺️ do they sell condoms in womens toilets? Terribly expensive way of doing it though. But no embarrassment, especially if men get them from men's loo's. Still terribly expensive.