to hav felt physically sick at this desplay in Poundland?

[MrsFruitcake]

Only popped in because it's DS's birthday next week and someone told me they sell big bags of balloons in there.

Get a pack, and approach the till area with DD (who is 7). On the till end, in clear view to everyone queing, is a display of Condoms and pink vibrating 'love-rings' - cock rings I suppose they would be better known as.

The pinkness of the boxes they are in and the word 'ring' catches DDs attention and she wants to know what they are for. There was definite sniggering from the couple behind us as I struggled to find the right words. I told her they were for grown ups to wear, which wasn't a lie, but she kept pressing me on it and I had to tell her to be quiet in the end.

DD is totally clueless about sex, but even if she weren't, I still don't think I'd like to have to explain what they are for.

I am no prude - but am I right to be angry about the fact that Poundland display them in such a prominent position, exactly where the sweets would normally be? It's wrong on so many levels IMO. I will be writing to them tomorrow.

no it's not a 99p shop now - I was shocked last time I went in........although they've got some cheap coffee machines I've got my eye on

That 99p shop has been there for years now. Was definitely there in 2005 - I remember - not sure when it appeared though - what was there before it??

If you think that's bad our Boots had the vibrating cock-rings hanging on a display at the end of the kids toy aisle! Miles away from the condoms and other stuff. I meant to mention on my way out that I thought it was a bit inappropriate but I forgot. They've moved them now anyway.

makes plans to visit Poundland soon

They dont have them in just one place in my local Boots. they have them on a very prominant stand right next to all the nappies, wipes etc.

OMG! While I was on here typing that.....go look at my fb!

I don't think you ABU in the slightest, OP.

I'm no prude either but I don't think the appropriate place to display cock-rings for sale is by the till where sweets would usually be sold.

Think it was kwik-save! Then sainsbury before that...we used to have good shops!

OMG - haha - just looked at your FB - PMSL. That'll be fun to clean up

I don't remember Sainsbury there - I remember the Tesco that used to be next door. Not sure I remember Kwiksave - or maybe I do - just. 99p shop be there years now.

Gawd even bloody Woolies got turned into a "bargain" shop.

So let me see if I've got this right. MN has a campaign about removing magazines with half naked women away from our children, but it's okay to sell other adult products at their eye level by the tills?

Anyone else confused about this?

Yes, yes, the mags objectify women, yadda yadda yadda.

Or is it that these things aren't aimed exclusively at men that makes them okay?

My dd2 (5) overheard dp laughing with my parents about cock rings, she then loudly asked what they were, I saved the day by telling her they were like the rings pidgeons wear on their ankles but for cockerels.

YABU.

In my local boots, the condoms and cock ruings and lube are all add kids eye level next to the tissues. (Hmmmm... never realised that is actually appropriate till now... well for a teenage boy anyway!)

I think it should be totally acceptable for condoms to be on easy display so that people that need them don't have to be embarrassed to buy them - the alternative is unwanted pregnancy which is no alternative at all.

I've had the whole gamut of questions - "why has that lady got no top on" in relation to top shelf magazines, "mum, whats an orgy?" - NO idea where they heard that word, but I think it may have been a conversation on the bus we were on that I didn't hear, but hey ho. You just answer as best you can.

YANBU. not right at all, and i agree with Tee

Tee2072 - I think there is a BIG difference between the promotion of porn and the promotion of safe sex.

But having said that, I don't have an issue with top shelf magazines in general. These women are exploiting men in order to earn a living. It's a choice.

What I do seriously object to is women that end up forced to be involved in the sex industry, whether it be by circumstance or by brutality. But there are women that have chosen to be part of the sex industry and if that is what they want, who are we to tell them that they shouldn't?

(Sorry its off-topic)

you are totally over reacting and being a drama queen - just say 'oh those are rings for grown ups dear' and move on - it's not hard and if you felt sick at that god help you in the future when the real hard questions start!!

I was driving DD, aged about 8, to school once, listening to the radio. Suddenly up came the word Aphrodisiac.

DD:"What's that, mummy?"
Olderandwider: "I don't know."
DD:"Oh."

I would have said exactly the same if DD had asked me about cockrings and pink condoms.

I think they could have been better placed...but the magazines at eye-level are different imo..a woman with her breasts out posing suggestively legs a-kimbo is not the same as condoms or cock-rings..

i think the physically sick thing was an over-reaction, but come on, cock rings at childs eye level near the sweets?!

I genuinely dont see how its not ok to see lads mags with jennifer metcalf displaying her wares at eye level, but it IS ok to see sex toys. if it were a vibrator would that be ok?

I understand you being unhappy with a display of checkout cock rings, but from your post I am more that you haven't told your dd anything about sex.

Not that I'm advocating a full on sit down discussion with your love toys spread on the coffee table, but does your dd really not know anything sex wise?

I would be the same as the previous op as my son has read a couple of age appropriate relationship books, So I would say they are to stop making babies.

Apart from when he found "mr.shakey" the rabbit in my knicker drawer of course. I was ok with that but announcing it to the cleaner was a bit much!

As long as customers don't mix the cadbury creme eggs with the love eggs!

Surely the point is not if the OP can answer the question about cockrings and condoms from her child but if she should have to, unexpectedly, in a public place.

I agree with Tee that there is a double standard here when we campaign (quite rightly IMHO) for girlie mags to be out of childrens' eyeline but seem to think this is funny.

I mean, who would take their dc's into ann summers?

I got a bit confused reading this thread and decided JLS condoms were JML condoms, the people who make ironing board covers and the like. Had image of something that looked a bit like the finger of a large rubber glove

I'm not hugely bothered by condoms at the till, but cock rings is a bit much. Where Were these condoms going for £1 just in case I find the time to have some sex?

JeezyPeeps I actually don't agree with the campaign and think MN's power could be better used elsewhere.

I am just amused that it would appear that same people who are dismayed at having to explain to their children about naked women on magazines have no problem explaining what a condom or a cockring is.

Oh come on!!

Do you really want to go back to the days where the pharmacist has to ask 'something for the weekend, sir?' and a burgeoning trade in backstreet abortions?

There is nothing explicit about condoms and a child can hardly be corrupted by the sight of a cardboard box!

'has stuff for hen/stag parties which includes a huge pair of rubber breasts..

ds4 loves those; starts yelling boooooby very loudly then pulling at my top.

Haven;t looked closer at display though; might do now.

I thoiught this was going to be about shit food and nasty sweets and was gonig to wade in.

But 'cockrings'??

Nah.

I find it disconcerting when entering my local purveyor of cheap crap (to buy instant coffee for my cleaner you understand) that the cheeery Pakistani owner sits in a booth surrounded by vibrators.

Thare ya go.