Angie67

I am interested in knowing whether you ever visited a Sex Shop

When not - why - and if yes - what happens?

Long years ago I lived in Colonia / Germany. I left at this time my home city - a very conservative City. In colonia I met my - today former - boyfriend. He tooked me to a sex shop. It was my very first visit. His to. I think he was more afraid to enter the shop than I. I think girls are more brave than boys - in every matters.

When we entered the shop I said to my boyfried: I hope we will not meet boy X. He is looking at me in a very strange way. I dislike this.

My boyfriend appeased me: I don't think that we will meet him here. Because you saw a many shops in this street. Why should he be in this shop?

We entered the shop, took a look around and freezed.

Boy X came to us - laughted at my in a absolutely strange way: hello, what are you doing here?

With a great effort I aborted my shortening reaction: Hello, how are you? We are looking around and you? The complexion of my boyfriend changes to red. He felt so ashamed why this boy of all people met him in a sex shop.

Boy X: I am looking around. It is nice here, isn't it? Could I help you?

That was enough for me. I turned back because I was not longer able to abort my shortening reaction.

This was my first very short visit in a shex shop.

Now, I am interested to read about your visits and about your experience.

Angie

snowy

I love adult shops. I try to visit as many as possible, especially when I travel, because I like to see the differences between them. I have completely lost count of how many I have visited.

There is a small one where we live, and when we're feeling frisky, we sometimes go there to shop. The really big sex shop is in a city about an hour away--it's a Castle Superstore: http://www.castlesuperstores.com/ We stop there when we go to that city. It took a long time for my SO to loosen up in regards to going to sex shops--he's much more of a prude than I am--and he's still not enthusiastic about going to them, but he knows that I like going and like looking at everything. I don't always buy something, but I like to get to know what's out there.

My friend and I once ended up in an adult shop late at night, just wasting time while we were out and about. We ended up in conversation with the clerk about the strangest pornography he's ever sold to someone--evidently it had something to do with ground beef! Yuck! Normally I would chalk it up to "different strokes for different folks" but for me, that's just...eww.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

mixedmedia

I've been in many sex shops, although honestly, 99% of the stuff they sell in them is crap. Do your research!

They're fun to do with a boyfriend, though. And I never thought to be embarrassed in one because everyone else there is in a sex shop, too, lol.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

little_tippler

I'm not sure I get your story, but to answer the question, yes, I have visited a sex shop, but not alone, so far.

I wasn't embarrassed...it never crossed my mind I'd meet someone I know in there. Plus my boyfriend of the time was hot so I was good

I also agree most of what they sell is useless...though there's a lot in them you can laugh about heh.

__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

Fernando Pessoa, 1918

ShaniFaye

Living so close to Atlanta I've been to many many many MANY sex shops, sometimes Dave and I will take a saturday and do nothing but that lol (actually I did that with my first hubby too)

Its always great fun and usually gives us many laughs.

The only thing I can say about running into someone you know there is: they are there too, no biggie

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

cadre

I've been to a few sex shops, one many times. I've actually got a rapport going with some of the employees there. We have a Castle Superstore in Phoenix, like OneSnowyOwl mentioned but it has a cheap feeling to me so I'm not a huge fan.

The last time I was in Fascinations with members of the opposite sex I ended up helping my friend decide on what type of vibrator to have on hand for future encounters. It was entertaining to say the least.

I spare no expense when it comes to my sex life though so going to shops like that can get pricey for me!

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

girldetective

1) I was in convenience store that had a huge stand, like half the store, of porn magazines in plastic wrappers. I bought one for women and my husband bought a Playboy. Later when I opened mine I realized that the naked men were not necessarily there for the pleasure of women. I felt gyped.

2) I bought 2 gay porn mags at a smoke shop downtown and brought them to a friend in hospital.

3) I have taken to wearing these particular stockings that I order by mail but I didnt have any. In a pinch once when Tpop was coming over I stopped at a porn shop that displayed clothing in their window. They didnt have my stockings but I bought a corset. The clothing was in the front of the store so I didnt see what they stock. I considered looking at vibrators but Ive never used one and I just didnt seem to have it in me. I just dont think theyre me. I dont know.

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As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata

Jenna

Yeah, there's actually a pretty good sex shop where I live in Wisconsin. It's not creepy, and it has some good stuff.

I go probably once a month. I'm racking up quite the collection of sex toys, movies, magazines, whips, lingerie, etc.!

Kind of off topic, but when my friends and I were underage, young and stupid, we'd see if we could get into the place all the time. I was always the one who won! Cleavage does wonders I guess.

abaya

I go to sex shops whenever I can, though I haven't gone in Iceland because they look stupid here, and the town is so small and my family is so big, that I am liable to be seen by one of them while walking into the store. Usually, I prefer women-owned sex shops only, particularly Good Vibrations (excellent store in San Francisco) and Babeland (good stores in both Seattle and Boston). We order a lot of stuff online from those two brands in particular.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

little_tippler

This is the ladies lounge...I believe you are a boy?

__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

Fernando Pessoa, 1918

Grasshopper Green

I've been to several, both with friends and with hubby. There's not a whole lot to choose from here because hardcore porn is illegal and anything "kinkier" than lube/warming gel has to be kept in a 21 and older area. I hate Utah.

__________________
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

Laugh-O-Matic

Never set foot in one We don't have them here!

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

xxSquirtxx

Southern state?


I've been to them over the years - sometimes alone, sometimes with my husband. Always with a purpose/purchase in mind, though.

__________________
.

Laugh-O-Matic

India Many things that would seem normal in the US and considered taboo or looked down upon here.

Like on-screen/movie smooching! A sure fire way to generate hype and controversy.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

Shaindra

I've been to a few sex shops. Mostly for entertainment than to buy something and always either alone or with girlfriends. Never been with a guy, but I'm open to trying it. ;-)

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"Never regret something that once made you smile."

JustJess

I have a favorite here too - same as Abaya, actually: Babeland. It's not creepy at all, they have a fine selection of toys, literature, movies, and condoms, and it's a boutique sort of feeling without the snootiness.

I've gone with friends and with my husband (Q), but never seen anyone there I know. Not that I'd care much... I'm pretty blunt/open about my opinions on sex.

__________________
My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

snowy

I'd forgotten that I actually have run into friends at the sex shop here in town--the human sexuality professor gives extra credit if you visit it. I was there browsing and ran into a friend there to do extra credit. It was cool, though, because she's one of my open, outspoken friends, and I'm much the same that way when it comes to sex. Not at all awkward--more of a "I'd expect to run into you at the sex shop, out of all the people I know" thing--for both of us! We're pervs like that, I guess.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

*Nikki*

I live in a southern state and we have plenty here. Most of them are filled with nasty greasy men who give me the harry eye. So I avoid those places, after all that is what the internet is for!

jewels

LMAO @ harry eye. Wuzzat?

I've been to so many over the years. I don't think I would've gone alone when I was younger and was always with my man or husband. At this point in my life, I would have no qualms about going alone.

Anyone I see or meet there is no different than I am.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Sultana

Several months ago I got a "homework assignment" to pick out some porn to take to my friend's house later on. I went to what may be the only one in town, now that I think about it. I was concerned, it's in an icky section of town, but apparantly the new owners have revamped it, and it was pretty nice (a clean and well-lit place). And it helped that there were young ladies working there, totally fun and helpful. I stayed for hours looking at everything, LOL.

There were some guys who gave me somewhat furtitive looks while I endlessly perused the porn section, but they weren't creepy at all. I rather felt they thought it was cool to see a female there. One grandfatherly type tried to prank me somewhat by suggesting some hilarious porn options, and it became a short game of one-up-man-ship ("spanking! midgets! low-fat milk!").

All in all, a fun and positive experience.

__________________
"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath.
At night, the ice weasels come." -

Matt Groening

My goal? To fulfill my potential.

genuinegirly

I have been in a few sex shops. None were as memorable as the first.

I went on a trip to baja with a bunch of male friends. We walked along a row of shops on the beach and randomly one of them saw a sex shop, they insisted on going inside. I hesitated. They saw my hesitation and were all the more interested in going - mainly to see me blush. We went inside. I looked around at all of the odd, huge dildos. I remember standing and staring at an entire wall of them. Eventually they got bored and we all left.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Starkizzer

I have been to a couple. The two in my hometown are creepy and sleezy as one would expect to find the desert. Once we moved to school, my fiance and I found Babeland in Los Angeles. Its a cool sex shop you walk in a feel very comfortable. Its around the corner from the world famous Pinks hot dog stand.
The entire store is painted pink and all the items are out on display, its a very touch and play store. Everything that is motorized is either plugged in or has batteries. Then once you find what you want one of the young (often gay or lesbian 20 something) employees goes into the back and brings out your item perfectly wrapped and sealed.

Also there aren't any of the giant dildos or weird porno mags and movies. They have sex books like you would find at Barnes and Noble and they even have a book of SG.

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Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

Milkyway

I have been to several on my own, or with the girls, or with my man. I like some better than others.

There are a few around here that have little back rooms, with live dancers, but I have never been there, my man was one time when we "were on a break", whatever.

They do not intimidate me, most of the ones I go to have woman working behind the counter so I feel totally comfortable. Never worried about running into anyone I know, everyone that know me knows I am a freak, the only person I wouldn't want to run into is my Dad, he still thinks I'm a princess, sorry Daddy not for like 15 years!

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Yes you can get off on the same sexual experience for 24 full hours!!!!!

Hyacinthe

The first one I went to was not fun - it was infact downright creepy. I have a few tendencies sexually - basically I am a masochistic submissive. As soon as I asked the guy in the store about bondage magazines or D/s groups in the area he started inviting me to his "private dungeon" he was very insistent about it, very unprofessional. So yeah that kindof put me off for a good long while.

For the last few months I have been to one fairly often though, I'm currently seeing a guy who works in one. He's also talked about me possibly getting a job there part time. It's not a big place but it has a surprsingly large range. Most of the stuff there is actually pretty good (staff get 50% discount) and they get alot of strippers and pro's in there.

So don't let one bad experience put you off, there are some good places out there.

__________________
"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own"

"Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part."

serlindsipity

i think some of the best bonding i've ever had with other people is in sex shops. Be it a gaggle of your BFF GFs, or a recent relationship, having it all laid out for you is a great opportunity to discuss and learn about each other.

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My third eye is my camera's lens.

ItWasMe

Oh, gawd...yes, I have. You really want to hear this? *blushing*

I won't tell you how many years ago it was, except that I was young, and it was well over two decades ago. My friend wanted to show me this shop she'd found. She said they had some really interesting things. So when we walked in, I was expecting...I don't know... an odd souvenier shop?? ... it went something like this...

We were browsing the aisles, and my friend was showing me these small vials of scented oils. I saw handcuffs and such and thought they were odd souveniers. My friend looked at me like I'd just grown another head. The front of the store looked a little like Valentine's Day with fluffy heart pillows, chocolates, etc. It didn't look like a sex shop, except for the shelves at the back of the store.

Then the sales lady came over. She picked up "something" they had on special. She squeased some of it onto her hand and rubbed it between her fingers. She explained that this one is greaseless, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. I nodded and smiled politely, wondering what the point was. I finally asked her,

"so this is totally tasteless?"
"totally" (okay, you got me, it was in the 80's)
"huh" *I was actually wondering what the hell it was for; the front of the shop was so discreet, I hadn't yet figured out it was a sex shop.*
The sales lady stepped up her speech, now that she had my interest.
"it's totally edible. you can eat it." she said.

The sales lady followed us to the back of the store, and was mortified at what was on the shelf. Now I knew what a penis looked like, but had never seen a fake one. I didn't even know they made them that size. It dawned on me ...omigod...I am in a friggin sex shoppe, not a Valentine's shop. And my husband is not very well endowed!

I made the mistake of saying "wow"

"Yes," the sales lady said as she reached for the penis shaped dildo. "And this one vibrates. Let me demonstrate..."

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"Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez

I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe

angelpain

Didn't Richard Gere kiss an Indian actress? and the country went ape shit.


and to answer the question YES!!! I live in Philly, PA and theres 2 sex shops on the same street. One's called Mood which appeals to the women and the other Condom Kingdom that sells everything from movies to toys to party games to candy inspired sex organs to all kinds of condoms. Plus the staff their is pretty helpful with any question you have.
I met the most awesome chick there that told me stories of the oddest question asked.

I've been to both a few times alone with friends and ex boyfriend have yet to go with my current boyfriend yet.