Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sex Winning the Culture War at Walgreens
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 12:19 PM
This sign at Walgreens identifies several shelves of condoms and lube:
Of course, this Capitol Hill Walgreens may be catering to the local liberals. The same assortment of products at a Walgreens in rural Idaho might be labeled "abortifacients" or "life blockers."
1
I still like the signs for "feminine needs."
2
I live in Spokane and travel to many outlying areas, and I can say unequivocally that the sign says, "Family planning" in rural Idaho too. I've seen it with mine own eyes.
3
Even the sign "family planning" is misleading. Is that the isle they sell cribs and baby bottles?
Why don't they call it reproductive planning?
Why don't they call it reproductive planning?
4
@1: I'm partial to "feminine paper" as well. It sounds like an aisle of pink stationery.
5
Why don't they label it "STD Prevention"
6
My Target has what I call the "Aisle of Shame". Pregnancy tests, yeast infection medication, tampons/sanitary pads, Depends, condoms, lube, etc.. Everybody in that aisle has a shifty look about them.
7
does it really matter how it's labeled in Seattle or rural Idaho as long as they have it in rural Idaho?
8
Go to the Safeway at 23rd and Madison -- all that stuff is in a locked case and you have to wait in line and ask the pharmacist to come unlock it so you can buy some condoms.
9
@6, if you want to see shame and shifty looks, you should see me in there buying "feminine needs" for Mrs. Fnarf. THIS. This is what we do for love.
10
I wish we could call it the prophylactics section but since sex ed doesn't exist in many schools, many people don't know what that means. I also like the Oops! aisle for preggo stuff, but that's just my vote...
11
I'm sure she appreciates it, Fnarf... :> The sheer number of options available probably mindboggles the best of men, I would imagine.
12
The Bartell's at Broadway and Pike has a section called "ethnic care." Like, adopt an ethnic.
13
How about "SECHS (EWW!) SUPPLIES". That should entertainingly infuriate Dan.
14
Last time i needed protection in South Carolina they were kept locked under the glass counter in customer service. That way they could give you the box complete with a look of disgust and pity reserved for dirty boys that are going to have dirty boy sex and then go to dirty boy sex hell.
15
I've asked at a grocery store why the condoms were locked up in the pharmacy and they told me it was because so many got shoplifted.
Might even be true.
Might even be true.
16
At the Fred Meyer's I shop at in Portland, the condom aisle isn't even marked with such a sign. They're just there, next to the "feminine products." Like, "hey, since you're ALREADY getting things for your vagina, grab some of these! They're more fun."
17
I'm a good student.
18
The best is the store in town here in rural Vermont that on the aisle sign has "Feminine Products" on one side and "Chocolate" on the other.
19
According to wikipedia,
"Abortifacients for animals that have mated undesirably are known as mismating shots."
"Abortifacients for animals that have mated undesirably are known as mismating shots."
20
At several stores I frequent that aisle has "Family Planning" on one side and diapers on the other. I think of it as the condom/reminder aisle.
21
I've heard condoms and pregnancy tests are one of the most frequently stolen items in stores. I had to get a test from the pharmacists a few months ago. I had more shopping to do so I started to walk off and she was like, "um... you have to pay for that here."
WTF?
First of all: good job on making a married woman feel like a dirty, irresponsible slut. Second of all: I'm not a goddamn teenager who has no money to pay for it and has to sneak pee on it and hide the results!
WTF?
First of all: good job on making a married woman feel like a dirty, irresponsible slut. Second of all: I'm not a goddamn teenager who has no money to pay for it and has to sneak pee on it and hide the results!
22
Candice: As you said, they are frequently stolen. What do you want to store to do? Size up the social status of each customer and decide on that basis whether to demand immediate payment? That doesn't sound very "progressive".
23
@21,
Um, are you being sarcastic? Why would that make you feel like a dirty, irresponsible slut?
But if it did, I guess that's why people steal them.
Um, are you being sarcastic? Why would that make you feel like a dirty, irresponsible slut?
But if it did, I guess that's why people steal them.
24
@21 I used to get dirty looks when I was buying condoms - I always wanted to say loudly "I'm married" when getting rung up. I feel your pain.
People steal pregnancy tests because they are expensive and embarassing, even if you want to be pregnant.
People steal pregnancy tests because they are expensive and embarassing, even if you want to be pregnant.
25
One of my friends' favorite jokes to play on cashiers was to buy tampons and condoms at the same time.
27
@22 & 23: I guess you had to be there.
28
Not sure your average Idaho shopper would understand "abortifacients"...
"Life blockers" is at their level.
"Life blockers" is at their level.
29
I like it when they have the diapers, always, and depends all in one aisle. It's like a woman's entire life condensed down to 20 linear feet.
Also, condoms & pregnancy tests do get stolen a lot. Don't be embarrassed to ask the staff for them or any other item in the pharmacy. That's what we're here for. If you want advice about medications, the pharmacist should be happy to talk to you.
Also, condoms & pregnancy tests do get stolen a lot. Don't be embarrassed to ask the staff for them or any other item in the pharmacy. That's what we're here for. If you want advice about medications, the pharmacist should be happy to talk to you.
30
They also keep condoms right across from the depends and other adult diapers. It's almost as if they're mocking senior citizens who may daydream about their best days while living their absolute worst (e.g., crapping their pants).
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