My first experience buying condoms was when I was in my early 20s. My guy at the time, had the same embarrassment you did and was reluctant to go in and buy them. He begged me to go into the store (a 7-11) and get them. I didn’t think it was a big deal and I laughed at him as I got out of the car. Somewhere between the parking lot and the slurpee machine, his paranoia contaminated me. This was also back in the day where you had to ask for them (size, brand, style, etc.). After procrastinating and picking up all kinds of snacks and junk that I didn’t want or need (in order to bolster my confidence) and waiting for other straggling customers to leave, I stepped up to the counter and asked for Lifestyles Ultra Lubed. I felt myself shrinking with shame as I held eye contact with the cashier. I could swear that the look on his face was one of complete disgust. Maybe I imagined it, maybe I didn’t, but I left feeling like a skank.

I’ve bought them maybe twice since then and I didn’t even blink or flinch or think about it (other than how fucking expensive they are!..pun intended).

And yes…worth it.

Dang, NWSO, I’m having enough trouble falling asleep tonight as it is. Now you go and put the image of condoms in my head. It’s gonna be a long night—ah, summer.

Did you ever feel awkward buying condoms when you were younger?
The only time I ever purchased condoms was when I bought those awful-tasting edible condoms. I was in my 30s and it was at NYC’s Pink Pussycat Boutique, where anything goes, so no one looked at me strangely.

Would you look at a youngster funny if you saw them buying condoms or would you be happy they were trying to protect themselves?
I would never look at anyone funny for being responsible enough to protect themselves and their partner(s). I would definitely be jealous; but I see nothing wrong with a youngster buying condoms. I would think he/she was being responsible. It’s better that he/she buys condoms before the fact than to have to be the little girl—she couldn’t have been more than 12 or 13—lurking in the aisles of a drugstore making sure no one sees her buying a Rite Aid brand pregnancy test. She looked left, right, then left again before grabbing up the generic brand item that could possibly change her life. She didn’t see me pass by just as she grabbed the box, but I felt her shame. I would have much rather see her grab up a box of Wet ‘N’ Wild—or whatever the youngsters are using these days.

Do you trust free condoms are as reliable as store-bought ones?
My mother works for the NYC Dept. of Health. She gets free condoms by the boxes. She’s given me some to distribute to my friends, and she often leaves boxes in the lobby of our building for anyone who wants to partake. From what my friends have told me, they are perfectly safe. A bit snug fitting, but safe none the less.

Do you feel the government will ever release a cure for AIDS or any other incurable disease?
The government will release a cure for AIDS when there is an end to homelessness, hunger, and war, and world peace is achieved. In other words, as long as the powers that be continue profiting from situations remaining as is, cures will never be released.

Being a woman, particularly one living in the South, I still get my fair share of dirty looks when I slide a box of condoms across the counter at Walgreens once a month. LOL. I’m grown now, so I tend to shrug it off as good old Bible Belt idiocy; but, at 18, I remember being embarrassed and scared as hell that I was going to run into one of my teachers or some old lady from church.

I’d like to believe that if I saw a teenager buying condoms, I’d be supportive. I feel like if you’re being man (or woman) enough to take the right precautions, then you’re grown enough to be having sex.

As far as the government and another capitalist conspiracy, I completely agree. The health care industry keeps too many pockets padded for any breakthrough cures to be released to the public. A cure for AIDS/cancer/any other disease killing the masses will only be available when another pandemic sweeps us. It’s disgusting to think that I live in a place that values the dollar over the human race, but, knowing that, I only stay further motivated to keep stocking up on the Trojans.

Good post!

Since I work with kids, there isn’t too much that shocks me with them. I might raise an eyebrow, but I’d rather see them buy condoms than go to the local clinic to see why they feel an itching burning sensation or make sure a seed wasn’t planted. (Dealing with a kid right now who is more than likely pregnant and refuses to talk about it, as if the pregnancy is just gonna disappear. I would’ve preferred to buy her some condoms, which she refuses to use, instead of the pregnancy test I wound up buying for her out of my own pockets. )

Did you ever feel awkward buying condoms when you were younger?
—–The first time I bought condoms was in middleschool. At the time, I wasn’t sexually active but me and my immature friends wanted to see if we could get away with it and –once we did– throw condom balloons at the boys. It was fun. Kinda sad that the store owners said nothing to us about it.

If so, do you feel older folks look down on kids for being sexually active at a young age?
—–Definitely. My older sister, who is 4 years older than me and the closest in age, caught a fit when she found out I lost my “virtue” at 15. (I’m 20 now). A four year difference and the perception has already changed. Not that it was right to begin with..but I’m not getting into that.

Would you look at a youngster funny if you saw them buying condoms or would you be happy they were trying to protect themselves?
—–A part of me would be happy that they’re protecting themselves but I’d do more than “look at them funny.” I’d pull the young man..or woman aside and hopefully spit some wisdom into them. Wish someone did it for me.

Do you trust free condoms are as reliable as store-bought ones?
—– As a young lady who volunteers with an AIDS prevention movement, I’d definitely say yes. My volunteer group gives out free condoms and after googling a few brands I realized that all of the condoms we give out are ones that people usually pay for.

How often do you re-up on your rubber supply?
—— As soon as I run out. I used to just buy a pack containing 12, but I realized that I was just wasting money. Now I order condoms online and buy in bulk. No less than 50 condoms in one order. lol

Do you feel the government will ever release a cure for AIDS or any other incurable disease?
—-I certainly hope so.

UM SHAMELESS PLUG HERE: Anyone ever heard of One Condoms. They’re M-Azing. They’re now the only condom brand I use. Google them..order them..use them..have fun!

I am currrently single, and I purchase condoms for my own protection; buy them right at walmart with my groceries. I don’t think twice, pick up some tampax and magnums. Hey, I am 30 no children, never been pregnant. I can’t afford to leave my health in the hands of anyone else. Those people who are looking and judging wish they would have taken the same precautions. And while those old ladies are looking and frowning they need to be taking note, cause woman over 40 y/o are the leading the statistics of newly reported AIDS cases.

I never felt weird buying condoms. Rather be buying those then diapers while I carry my school books with me. I never look down on a youngerster getting their freak on better safe then sorry because there is some teenager somewhere catching HIV thinking oh she/he look clean

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I’m super proud whenever I’ve had to pick up Magnums…lmao…especially if the cashier is a man.And tampons too.

I see condoms in the street sometimes ((not sure if used or not)) and I’m glad somebody is using them.

When my daughter becomes a teen…I will be adding a pack as a “must have” in her drawer.But she’s only 7 so by her teens there might be some other newfangled way to wrap up.And hopefully a cure for AIDS.

The cost of condoms doesn’t bother me at all.Considering folk are paying $8.50 for a pack of cigarettes that will hurt them later…$2.99 for a 3 pack of condoms is nothing.

Now you’re prompting me to do some history of AIDS research.I’ve always wondered if this is a disease that was around longer than we think…it just got named and filed once science became more advance.And if not…where the heck did it come from??

I volunteered with AMFAR a few years ago.I didn’t come into contact with AIDS patients..mainly just stuffed envelope thanking people for donating money.But orgs like these can be thanked for all their research.I do know a newborn can be cured…that’s why it’s mandatory to test pregnant mothers for the disease in new York City.At least that reduces the risk for future generations.

“After crunching the numbers on how much a man (or woman) can spend on condoms I came to the conclusion that there will never be a cure for AIDS.”

You made a huge leap there with that claim and had me rolling on the floor laughing. But you backed it up, and it’s true, the government is not trying to find a cure for AIDS or Cancer or any other terminal disease anytime soon. They’re making beaucoup money.

Condom buying is something I haven’t really done a lot of but when I was in college I got involved with volunteering for one of the free clinics. I learned a lot while I was there about how people change or ruin their lives instead of suffering through the minor embarassment of buying condoms or even just getting free ones from the clinic. During this time condoms lost a lot of their shock value for me and our sorority house was the one with a basket of fresh condoms always by the door. A couple times we got questioned for promoting sex which would cause me to launch into my diatribe about some of the horror stories I’d seen because of people who have only been discouraged to have sex and never educated on safe sex. The reality is if someone wants to have sex they’re not going to wait for your permission so teach them to at least value their life at $1.08 instead of throwing it away for free.

The most recent awkward moment I remember while buying condoms was when I was buying a 12-pack of magnums and a carton of ice cream. The cashier was a teenage boy. After ringing up my purchases he looked me in the eyes and told me to have a good night, never once dropping his gaze.

Ugh, mortifying.

Hey i buy my from off the internet so I dont have to worry about the little old lady. Also when I was working overseas I had too cus the they did not carry the brand I used. so try http://www.drugstore.com

@paulette_BAJAN_gal : “I see condoms in the street sometimes ((not sure if used or not)) and I’m glad somebody is using them.”

I see these sometimes too and I always think “Good for you.” (That #1 at least somebody is getting some and #2 that they’re being safe).

I also wanted to say that with people becoming more health conscious (particularly about the way that they eat), my hope is that they will see protecting themselves against STDs as another aspect of that consciousness.

My philosphy has always been, it’s not worth dying for (no matter how good it is).

What still mystifies me is the folks (a few that I actually know) who have the mentality that HIV/AIDS happens to “other people”. I never understand how they can think that way when every segment of the population is represented by the disease.

I even heard a news story about how older folks (seniors) are starting to contract HIV. It seems that the prevalence of Viagra is giving the old Gs a new lease on life and they’re reverting back to their promiscuous dog days and being careless about it.

Keeping America unhealthy and sick DOES seem to be a cash crop.

My condom purchases didn’t begin ummm up until maybe 2 years ago. After realizing I am allergic to latex, I make sure condoms are always on hand. Once I’m down to a pack, gotta re-stock. They can be quite costly. A six pack at $12.99. I always feel like I never have enough(not that I’m that active) but a six pack…sheeesh. I have no shame in stocking up, cuz you never know.

Yeah I once trusted free condoms, when I used them. Nothing wrong with free. As long as they do the job.

CONDOMS ARE THE SHIT!!! You buy Em and Try’em for Bad time or good. But being Safe says it all.

Embarrassed about buying, nah!!! when its an older lady I smile at her, a younger woman tell her she will get their one day!!! But most men at the counter just smile and say have fun for me to. Its shouldnt be embarrassing but an adventure To get your worth more than that $1.08 cents they cost!!!Shhiit depending on the lady behind the counter me buying condoms might get me some Live Pharmacy action it could happen to you !!

There is no $$ in a cure, so the public will have to deal with this deadly disease for some time to come unless you have Magic money. He seems to have a miraculous recovery with normal T-cells…Now how did he manage that I wonder?

The government will not release a cure for AID/HIV your right there is too much money involved… and thats so sad that many ppl have to loose they lives so that industries cand companies can keep they bank account fat… ugh makes me sick….

condoms… lol… i usually keep a supply in my kit… yes i said kit… lil caboodels case wit the rubbers, hand cuffs, lubes, lotions/oils, toys, mints and whatever else i found at my local shop that makes me think it could be worth it… lol… I fell no need for shame when i buy condoms cuz i already have 1 child im not ready for another and i love my life dont wanna loose it over no foolishness… while it feels good bare its not worth my life….

BUT the world is bigger than America, Manslem. Consider that private (instead of public) health care is the exception in the world, and not the norm, and you see the enormous incentive for a cure to be found… Not to mention that a vaccine would be a huge, unending P.R., as well as an economic, blowjob for whichever company happened across it. REALLY, all this conspiracy ish, do your brain a favor and jettison it. It doesn’t even merit responding to.

Also, dude, get your covers at Target. No fuss.

Well honestly I don’t keep them. I expect the guys to have them, if they don’t……NO NOOKIE!!!! I’m not going to go into the battle of the sexes with this because I believe it’s both parties responsibility to keep condoms…ME? I simply don’t do it and maybe I should, but I just don’t.
Young people or old people should NOT feel embarassed to buy condoms because it’s for YOUR protection and YOUR safety. Maybe I sound hypocritical but my motto stays and I make sure I tell a guy ahead of time……NO CONDOM, NO NOOKIE. I must also say that I don’t put myself in positions where the guy will be expecting to get some….on that note I will buy some condoms JUST IN CASE!

Sexacapades were so far and few in between when I was younger so I really didnt even think about buying any condoms. I just let the lucky guy pick some up. Now, that I’ve blossomed into womanhood, I am quite embarrassed when I have to go in the store to have to buy some. I ususally grab a shopping cart and add some “distraction items” so I don’t lose my nerve. Man, there’s nothing like a basketful of quirky items like lightbulbs, eggs, pencils and condoms to start the night off right!! Lol. Although I havent witnessed teens buying any condoms, I happen to have a 16 y.o. and a 15.y.o. I think i would have mixed feelings. I would feel elated that the teen is trying to be responsible. Yet on the flip side, I really wish that they would wait until they were an adult.

@Anonymous*

1) you butchered then chop & screwed my government name up. Manslem??? SMH

2) Nah, def hear you, but writing from my perspective which is American capitalism, which I specified. Not sure how it goes in other countries so didn’t feel my place to speak on that. That’s where my international readers come in.

3) I’m far from a conspiracy theorist, but money talks on this side of the map and I’ve seen/heard companies/government do less damaging things in lieu of profit margins.

PS
Anonymous commenters irk me. Is it that tiresome to type “Blah Blah” or something as a fake name? It just gets confusing when more than one anonymous person comments. Appreciate you all none the less

I didn’t start being sexually active till I was 22 and I’ve only had to buy condoms once. I was a little iffy about buying them myself, but after my people say the Magnum box…they were jealous. LOL

Hey theres no shame in my game I’m buying them straight up . I agree with you we are unlikely to see a cure to AIDS its the perfect disease if youre a pharmaceutical company, a prolonged period of sickness for the patient/customer no wonder they were quick to come up with anti-retrovirals so they get you on the re-up. youre healthy but in essence dependent on the drug company for your survival a perfect business scenario. No wonder there are no cures for poor peoples diseases like malaria, river blindess and TB. Sorry rant over…If anyone gives you a shifty look when youre buying rubbers theyre probably jealous knowing youll be getting some soon

Im the king of free condoms!(notice the crown) I trust them just as much as I trust the ones you buy. I dont have sex very much so I only brought condoms once. I use to stock up on free condoms every chance I got which lucky for me was a lot. I would be heart broken if I spent money on expired condoms.

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There will never be a cure for AIDS or cancer; there is too much money to be made. It is more profitable to keep a person sick rather than to heal them.

Read the book “Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About”
by Kevin Trudeau

A friend of mines gave me this book after I was diagnosed with Lupus…another disease that has no cure, but plenty of medications to keep you alive with the illness.

Ashamed to purchase condoms, NEVER! I would rather be looked at as a responsible, promiscuous chick, than promiscuous with an STD/STI.

Free condoms work just as well as the type that is purchased in a drug store. Nine times out of ten they are manufactured by the same companies.

I really don’t have to buy condoms, usually the guy that I am dealing with has them on deck, but if not, I keep some on me just in case. And if I don’t have them, well…he needs to go to the store or he’s not getting any ass!

I’ve never paid for condom in my life! I live in London and I’m sure condoms are as expensive as that diagram illustrates. I usually pick them up when I get my pap smear – good old social health care!

Imagine if all you had to do was pop a pill to cure AIDS. You know there’s some dirty ass fools that would have no problem with relying on that instead of using a condom…They living dangerously—too dangerous for me.”

I wish the root of the problem was cost and access. NWSO touched on the real problem when he said, “They living dangerously—too dangerous for me.” The root of the problem is carelessness, lustfulness and covetousness. I am probably teetering on sounding judgemental so I will say “we” from here on out. WE want everything we think everyone else has (fun, love, companionship). WE have no control over our impulses and desires (even if they are “natural”). WE DON’T THINK ANYTHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO US!!!

It is apparent that pharmaceutical companies and prophylactic distributors make handsome incomes from their “safe-sex” products. One could assume that through the capitalist lens our government officials often look through, this is as it should be. Why mess up a good thing with a cure for AIDS? Let’s look at this same capitalist theory in another way. Is a cure for AIDS cost effective? More directly, is a cure for AIDS cost effective if behaviors stay the same or worsen? There is a reason why I am going there. The decision of whether or not to make medical treatment available are already being made based on the probability of behavioral change. Take for example people living in developing countries in Africa or Asia. Millions die each year from febrile and gastrointestinal diseases. The best tool to fight mortality due to these illnesses is administration of electrolytes. Wealthy countries, like the US, could easily ship more than adequate amounts of these drinkable solutions on a regular basis and nearly wipe out the devastation these diseases cause. So why instead has the World Health Organization distributed a recipe(?!?) for the solution to organizations in areas of the world where fresh water is scarce, let alone the other ingredients? Human behaviors are the culprit, whether it be by virtue of the government and/or militants in these countries, or by virtue of cultural issues, like giving animals better water and food than humans, for example. These and other barriers has made it (appear?) more cost efficient to treat the disease rather than prevent it. I think that in this same way, it is more cost effective (and therefore theoretically more profitable) to treat AIDS (and prevent it in a few) because people won’t change.

I will quote NWSO again:
“You know there’s some dirty ass fools that would have no problem with relying on that instead of using a condom…”
I WISH they (we) would do SOMETHING!!!

I buy my condoms pretaxed… You can expense them on your Flex Spending Account or right them off, HSA…. either way its saving you in more ways than one!

@ Shay from LA.. You go girl!! Lupus is one hell of a tough disease. My ex bro in law has lupus nephritis (i prob didnt spell it right) and he was dx with it the day after thanksgiving a few wks shy of him turning 21 ~ swollen from the stomach down.. he even got gillian beret ~ TWO TImes in 6mths. He was hospitalized til Feb of the next year and had to learn how to walk and everything.. He is doing pretty good right now.. Dialysis 3x a week and maintains a good diet but I know how hard it is and the medications are tough too. He has a lawyer right now because one of the RNs at the hospital told him that getting Gillain beret twice was too rare~ Upon further research he found that the dr had prescribed a really high dosage of prednisone and some other medication.. Unfortunately his mom died the next year ~also had lupus..also treated by the same dr. and had a heart attack at 40 YEARS old. .they suspect it was the dosages of meds but she was cremated.. anyways.. Power to u!

FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE ONE WHO STARTED THIS CON. BECAUSE FOR 2 MANY YEARS WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO AND KEPT IN THE DARK. 2ND TO THE YOUNG LADY SHAY & JENN THANK’ BECAUSE THE GUY YOU SAID YOU READ HIS BOOK HAS MANY OTHER 1!! NOW AS FAR AS AIDS WHY WOULD YOU FIND A CURE ARE SAY YOU DID WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO STARTED IT AND YA’LL HAVE IT RIGHT IT ALL ABOUT MONEY!!!$$$$ I WAS TOLD I HAD HIV IN 1997 I WAS 98 PN DIEING AND THEN I FOUND A BOOK THAT CHANGE MY LIFE NOW I’M 260 PN. AND WENT TO THE CLINIC AND THEY DIDN’T FIND ANYTHING IN MY BLOOD I WILL SOON TELL THE HOLD STORY ON MYSPACE BUT IF ANY OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN KNOWING THE HOW MY EMAIL IS davidjerido@yahoo.com and as for magic HE WANT TELL HOW CAUSE HIS $$$$$ COME’S FROM THE 1 WHO BEHIND IT ALL

If you discovered the cure for AIDS, you’d tell everyone. You’d win the Nobel Prize in biology, and possibly even the Nobel Peace Prize. You would become a multi-millionaire. Your lab would never want for funding. You’d be remembered in history forever.

The cure for AIDS isn’t going to happen like a light-switch, it’s going to be a long, drawn-out process, and there’s going to be a LOT of money made in it. There’s also the fact that HIV has a tendency to mutate, so we’re going to keep needing to update our medicines.

We haven’t managed to wipe out all kinds of diseases that we have cures for, and AIDS will not be an exception. There are still plenty of other diseases to make money from. Yes, the Healthcare Industry is evil, I’ll give you that, but a conspiracy to maintain an AIDS epidemic? Someone would have cracked by now. Someone always does. The bigger the conspiracy, the more cracks. It’s all a matter of time, and for something this big and this influential, with all the emotional impact involved, you’d have hundreds of people coming forth. Seriously.

YOU ARE RIGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE AND IN THE PAST WE HAVE CREATED EVIL AND THEN CAME UP WITH A CURE AND THEN THER WILL BE YOUR HERO I TRY ED TO COMMENT ON THIS ONCE AND IT GOT WIPE OF MY COM. SO I’M GOING TO TYPE IT IN WORD PAD THEN PASTE IT IN THEN IT WILL BE ON HERE

Did you ever feel awkward buying condoms when you were younger?

every time. but then again, the idea of pregnancy and stds… but you speak the truth about the need to ask for them when i was in my teens

If so, do you feel older folks look down on kids for being sexually active at a young age?

i think so, which is insulting. many of our elders were promiscuous, and being disparaging just pushes us further/farther away.

Would you look at a youngster funny if you saw them buying condoms or would you be happy they were trying to protect themselves?

ecstatic. with my nephews, nieces and cousins i discuss protection. with eldest daughter i have started the conversation. with the kids i play ball with… ditto

Do you trust free condoms are as reliable as store-bought ones?

same damn thing!

How often do you re-up on your rubber supply?

i keep a fresh pack in my bag and one in the medicine cabinet near the cough syrup.

Do you feel the government will ever release a cure for AIDS or any other incurable disease?

NOPE, but i hope so

Is your life worth $1.08 a nut (plus tax)?

YEP

Saw something a bit amusing last night. Went to Target and happened to come across a 36-pack of Magnum condoms for $16.09. So there are REALLY no excuses now. All sexpots and lovebirds, stock up and wrap it up!

I love buying condoms, and I just hope that the cashier is a female, or that there is one or more in the line when Im buying them, I say it clearly in my grown man voice so everyone can hear, “let me get a box of them trojans”, I might even go as far as to describing the color of the box, and the texture, depending on what kind of day im having.

But you’re right, because I still say ” DAMN!, yall rasing the price on these shits” every single time they ring them up.