Of all the products British people are embarrassed to buy in stores, condoms and lube tops the list, according to a new survey. The findings come after earlier this year it was revealed that 73% of women endure uncomfortable sex because they’re too embarrassed to use lube.
The disappointing revelation was found by OnBuy.com, which surveyed 2,424 British consumers to discover the product people are most embarrassed to buy in stores.
According to their poll, 13.8% of respondents ‘recoil in horror at the mere thought of’ buying condoms or lube in stores. Following close behind this was sex toys, at 13.7%, a frustrating finding for supermarkets as more begin to offer sex toys in store (Sainsburys being the most recent).
But why are we still so uncomfortable with buying condoms or lube – things that generally make sex not only safer, but more pleasurable? According to Genevieve Edwards, executive director of health improvement at sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, it’s because British people still treat sex as a taboo.
‘We're still so British about sex and condoms, many people find it easier to have sex rather than to talk about it,’ she told the BBC. ‘It's a population-wide issue, something that doesn't really change whatever sex or age. Buying condoms is a public declaration that you want sex and many people still aren't comfortable with that.’
But is it just because people are embarrassed about having sex in general, or more to do with the stigma around casual sex? After all, those in long-term relationships are less likely to be on long-term birth control and thereby not using condoms.
‘I think it all fits into the general shame of having a one-night stand or casual hook up,’ says Annie*, 29, from London, ‘Buying condoms is like shouting “I’m planning on shagging a random later”…it’s just so awkward catching the eye contact of a cashier as you slide them across.
‘I know [having casual sex] is nothing to be embarrassed about,’ she continues, ‘but I can’t help feeling weird when it looks like you’re planning it.’
Perhaps that’s the crux of the problem, we’re allowed to have casual sex if it seems like a drunken, unplanned mistake – but to buy condoms and actually plan for a one-night-stand? Absolutely not. It’s ridiculous given how much more responsible you’re being, but logic doesn’t really apply when the stigma around casual sex weighs on you at the supermarket checkout.
And lube is another story, because while you could be buying it for casual sex or not, again it seems that a woman taking ownership of her sex life is still something people just aren’t comfortable with.
We can only hope that in time and progress, being embarrassed about sex will no longer be the hallmark of being British.
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