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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to raise my eyebrows because there were children in the Ann Summers shop

60 replies

soultaken · 09/10/2008 23:22

Was in the Ann Summers shop on Wednesday and there were two women in there with small children in pushchairs. OK fair enough, they won't understand coz they're too young

but

there were also sixth formers from the local school (it was lunch time) in there!!!!! In their school uniform !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I old-fashioned or not. I thought you had to be 18 to go in there. Even the girl on the till didn't look 18!!!!!!

OP posts:
FimboGotAxed · 09/10/2008 23:24

I doubt there is an age limit.

A couple of summers ago our local one was advertising The Rabbit in the window.

My dd wanted to go in and see it because she thought it meant a bunny.

Ho hum.

TinkerBellesMum · 09/10/2008 23:24

There is an over 18s section, the rest is fairly tame. I don't think people realise that AS do a lot of nice clothes as well as the "18+" stuff.

Skramble · 09/10/2008 23:25

Babies in prams, fine.
Girls in school uniform who are likely to be under 18, not fine.

They should have been politely asked to leave and if they just needed condoms directed to the nearest Boots store.

TinkerBellesMum · 09/10/2008 23:25

...and the real X-rated stuff is only available online, not even Party Organisers can sell it.

Original poster
soultaken · 09/10/2008 23:26

No they weren't just in the underwear section, they were right at the back, in the "toy" section - as was I - but I'm old so I'm allowed.

OP posts:
RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 09/10/2008 23:27

best that under 18's are using a "rabbit" than having possible unprotected sex dont you think?

lilolilmanchester · 09/10/2008 23:29

Pushchairs: too young to know
Sixth formers - old enough to legally have sex so why would they be banned?

Would be more concerned if there were children inbetween those ages TBH.

(FWIW, wouldn't want my DCs in there even if 16, but how can shop ban kids old enough to be sexually active?)

TinkerBellesMum · 09/10/2008 23:32

It's not about banning kids old enough to have sex, it's the law. They're not allowed to let under 18s in the over 18 section no more than a PO can not allow an under 18 in a party.

Original poster
soultaken · 09/10/2008 23:33

Well I wouldn't like my dd to be in a sex shop under age, even if she was 17.

OP posts:
zeee · 09/10/2008 23:33

What's wrong with sixth formers being in there? I'm genuinely confused Should they not be having sex full stop, or not be buying toys?

HRHSaintMamazon · 09/10/2008 23:34

children are allowed in the stores because essentialy it is just a lingerie shop, the same as La Senza or the M&S knicker section.

the bits that are not suitable for children ie the toys are shielded by a wall and that area is open to children. if women walk in with children teh shop assistants should politley ask them to coe out.

Original poster
soultaken · 09/10/2008 23:35

Well I guess my question is:

Do you have to be 18 to go in a sex shop in this country or not? If the answer is yes, then the sales assistant should bloody well make sure the law is upheld.

OP posts:
TinkerBellesMum · 09/10/2008 23:40

Ann Summers shops are mainly lingerie shop, with fairly normal lingerie and a small sex shop at the back which is more shielded. Children can go into an Ann Summers shop, but they can't go into the 18+ section.

TinkerBellesMum · 09/10/2008 23:41

All sex shops are 18+.

Original poster
soultaken · 09/10/2008 23:42

ah then I'm just old-fashioned

OP posts:
RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 09/10/2008 23:44

i would still prefer her (if i had a teenage girl) to be experimenting with herself, than experimenting with a boy.

lilolilmanchester · 09/10/2008 23:44

only read OP, sorry, didn't realise they were in the over 18 section.
So if there is a law which says sex toys have to be in over 18 section then legally, the shop shouldn't have allowed them in there.

Kind of double standards in our legal system when they can have "the real thing" at 16 but not a toy , or am I missing something?

HRHSaintMamazon · 09/10/2008 23:44

yes sex shops are over 18. but Ann Summers is not a sex shop.

dittany · 09/10/2008 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bellabelly · 09/10/2008 23:46

I think if 16 and 17 year olds are legally old enough to be married then they are surely allowed to be in an Ann summers shop, no?

bellabelly · 09/10/2008 23:47

lol dittany

lilolilmanchester · 09/10/2008 23:48

dittany, maybe they don't have a sex life? A dildo is safer than a mangey teenage boy IMO. And more faithful and likely more satisfying.

RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 09/10/2008 23:50

a sixth former could be 18 though?
and if the shop assistant thought they looked 18, then where's the problem?
Also, does the law state that they cannot look or just cannot buy?

RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 09/10/2008 23:51

lol @ lilolil!

RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 09/10/2008 23:57

I think the reason whu we have so many teenage pregnancies is because we are too afraid to talk to children about sex and self gratification....

It happens, we all do it and we are very naive if we think that teenagers don't or shouldn't do it either. Why shouldn't they know about toys?

Did you see that programme - sex with mum and dad - where there are problems with teenagers who can't talk to their parents about sex? The psychologist recommends that teens should explore their own bodies.