There are luxurious boutiques with elite goods, where not everyone is allowed by security (the dress code is not right), there are faceless supermarkets, and there are small grocery stores with their own romance. The same story goes for sex shops.
The first story, inspiring
I won’t hide it, I had already been to a sex shop. I bought a few lubricants and condoms, trying not to look further. Why — it’s a complicated question, but I was absolutely sure that I didn’t need it. I have sex, it completely satisfies me, so why waste money. And in general, there are some costumes and handcuffs hanging there — they don’t associate with sex.
Therefore, I approached the task from the editorial office responsibly. For my first visit, I chose a solid store in the city center, with a spacious room so that I wouldn’t be scared if anything. Still, overcoming embarrassment was difficult, especially since other offices and shops are nearby. Someone is smoking on the porch, and everyone sees how I walk into an adult salon. There’s even a bell ringing (as if everyone wasn’t already watching my back).
By habit, I wanted to press against the closest display of lubricants and condoms, but a task is a task. And I boldly (on trembling knees) stepped up to the seller. I honestly admitted that it was my “serious” first time in a sex shop, and asked for a guided tour.
I had no idea what awaited me.
I was sure they would show me rubber dildos sized from this to that, something for BDSM (it’s 50 shades after all), strange lingerie, and role play costumes of poor quality. Instead, I was greeted by stylish colorful gadgets of unclear purpose, soft even to the eye, and incredibly pleasant to the touch. There was also a display with regular rubber dildos. But who needs those when there’s so much better around? In general, all kinds of vibrators, stimulators, and other “pleasure deliverers” became silicone, gentle, and very, very different.
The main thing that the seller told me: “a rubber substitute” is not for lonely hearts who need to relieve tension. Most toys in the sex shop are items for two, which can and should be used together with a partner.
Many customers come in and don’t really know what they want. Our task is to identify pain points, maybe problematic areas and find out what people would like to improve in their sex life. A good atmosphere promotes dialogue, and dialogue will lead primarily to discovering that dream product, which will please not just for a year or two.
I left that store satisfied, having spent a substantial amount there.
The second story, frightening
The second store, although it was hidden in the center, was noticeably smaller. I expected to see some cozy themed shop, but ended up in that very small grocery store. However, without any romance.
The owners tried to fit the maximum amount of merchandise into a minimal space, without making much effort in distributing and sorting the items. As a result, it felt like I had entered a crazy circus warehouse where a latex bee buzzes around a huge dildo.
Honestly, if this had been the first adult store I visited, I would have stopped the experiment on the spot. The mess, assortment, and appearance of the seller created a feeling that I had entered a bad porn from the early 90s. I couldn’t buy anything there. After all, I still had to use these things later.
I have worked in various intimate store settings: small rooms with red equipment are a long outdated fashion in the market — except perhaps to sell magazines with nudity. Now I work in a cool loft space with high ceilings and light walls, there are more people, and the clientele has changed. In the bright space that resembles a real sex boutique, people can come in, have a coffee, relax, discuss, and make a choice not just from a magazine but from some decent luxury item. Yes, both types of customers are ours, but the environment makes a big difference.
The third story, risky
The third visit was to a supermarket. That is, to an online store where you can find everything. Moreover, often these are items about which I would prefer to never know (I’m talking about inflatable dolls, for example — they are simply terrible and not worth looking at in person, but here they pop up on banners).
I entered this store… and bought nothing. Because I was confused by the overwhelming amount of products, got lost in the categorization. And in general, I’m still too inexperienced to navigate the sea of sex toys and be left there alone.
After all, a lot depends on a good seller, who with confident and calm behavior seems to say: “It’s all normal, these are the most ordinary purchases, it’s just like choosing pasta.” Although surely some would enjoy the anonymity of purchasing in an online store, where there’s no need to hide the screen from anyone and be embarrassed that you’ve stumbled upon a sex toy site.
There’s a huge downside to shopping at an online store despite the vast assortment: you can’t touch the toys, and in such a sensual area, that is important. Especially since silicone, for instance, can be so different that I would gladly use one but wouldn’t want to pick up another.
It’s such a risk — a price for shyness. You never know exactly what will come to you.
When you are already an experienced buyer and know what you like, you can allow yourself to explore the vastness of online supermarkets. But when you are just getting acquainted with sex products, personal contact is definitely better.
I have long been promoting on the channel the idea that people should engage in what brings pleasure. From work to sexual preferences. I don’t quite understand when customers come with the mindset that we have such a perverse corner here. Hi, you can pick something useful and enjoyable for yourself, but if someone likes something that doesn’t fit someone else’s idea of normal — that’s not a reason to judge.
Of course, there are reviews and even entire channels with detailed descriptions of toys and what to do with them. But we understand that no review will tell you how exactly a toy will perform in your hands. It’s like complex perfumes: the scent unfolds differently on each person’s skin.
What’s the conclusion
In conclusion, I know that the world of sex devices is broader than I could imagine, and some things are not at all what they seem. And that in any matter, even in the purchase of intimate goods, skill is needed.
Have you ever been to adult stores? Share your experiences in the comments.
Read also
- 7 unexpected reasons to visit a sex shop →
- How to realize a sexual fantasy: 9 tips for the indecisive →
- TEST: Sex toy or beauty gadget? →
