You should know by now that December 1 is World AIDS Day and abstaining from sex is the best prevention. But if you must have sex, then play it safe and use condoms. (Yes, this applies even if you are both HIV+ since there are other sexually-transmitted diseases.) So the dilemma we face now is how to buy some.
This post’s question might be a little tongue-in-cheek, especially given the seriousness of AIDS, but I think that it is a worthy question especially for discreet PLUs in this country. Unless you are one who is thick-skinned, you can easily imagine that buying condoms would prove to be difficult especially if you are the self-conscious type and more so in this conservative country like ours. This is unfortunate since the use of condoms when having sex helps to prevent the spread of AIDS.
I will admit that I have never ever bought a condom since I’m quite self-conscious. I’m also not a fan of anal sex and would decline such unless my partner has a condom. The only condoms I’ve ever had in my possession were those that were given as freebies in a PLU event or two. So I guess that I can’t really share some proven tips on discreetly procuring condoms. I actually feel more ashamed to buy condoms than to buy gay magazines, and that sounds illogical since buying gay mags would label one gay while buying condoms would label one possibly as a horny straight guy. 
I do have one idea though. The tactic is to buy from 24-hour convenience stores late at night or very early in the morning when there are very few customers around. That way, the fact that you bought condoms is just between you and the cashier. (Try to ignore the cashier’s smirk if it appears. Or you can flirt back if he is cute. Hehe.) It also helps if you select a store that doesn’t have too much foot traffic. (I.e., stay away from 7-11s and Mini Stops near call centers!)
Alternatively, you can just learn to develop a thick skin while buying some. After all, you are a guy and a guy buying condoms is much more acceptable to Filipino society than a girl. (Ideally it shouldn’t matter but you know how the Philippines is.)
How about you? Got any tips on buying condoms for those of us who are shy? 
15 comments:
I dunno, never pa din ako bumili ng condom. Pero there's this incident sa Mercury drugstore near my former school, I was looking in the condom section lumapit yung cute na pharmacist, I know he's hitting on me, kasi nagpapacute siya, sabi pa noya, sir, why don't you try this, I heard maganda daw 'to, sabi ko, sensya na I was just looking, ala naman ako paggagamitan niyan sabay pacute din ako. Haha. Everytime na bumabalik ako sa store na yun nagngingitian kami... lol
Buti na lang 'di ako horny masyado, I could have just said, sige nga try natin. Haha!
lol. I used to be the designated "condom boy". The one who would go around a party and give out the freebies.
Errr...buying condoms does not mean you are gay. It just means you have sex and are conscious about it. I actually think that there is a kind of sexiness to the confidence that one exudes when buying it in broad daylight without batting an eyelash. There is a certain "anga or yabang" and smugness to the person buying that is appealing.
Pfft.
I buy condoms and lubes together. The cashiers are too overworked and underpaid to raise an eyebrow, anyway, and I always relish a chance to give nosy people the evil eye.
Yup. It's all about confidence.
When I was younger, I used to buy condoms AMONG other products (soda, chips, chocolates), so that it will appear that buying condoms was just one of those products I needed to buy. Parang after-thought. And also, para di ganong halata. Lol.
Nowadays, what the heck..
Gatsby
pakapalan lang talaga ng mukha. aaminin ko nung first time hiyang-hiya ako pero nung kalaunan parang nakasanayan na.
I need to divert the topic from giving tips to the shy to giving tips when buying a condom (which i think most of us know already). (1) check the expiry of the condom; (2) when buying condoms, might as well buy lube - water-based lube; baby oil, lotion and other substitutes can break your condom; (3) if you want extra pleasure, buy the thinnest but most durable condom there is [I choose Okamoto]; (4) if you or your partner is allergic to latex, look for alternatives like condoms that are not made of latex; and (5) always be gutsy in bringing condoms to the counter, coz nothing's more sexy than a man who exudes confidence. Happy World AIDS day!
just buy it! the mere fact that you're buying one means you are mature and more responsible. hiya hiya pa! pag nagkasakit ka ba dahil di ka gumamit ng condom magagamot ka ba ng hiya mo. ang mahiya ay yung mga di gumagamit ng condom tapos merong multiple partner. anong tip sa pagbili ng condom ang pinagtatanong mo dyan! haler...
JayPee, so did anything happen between you and the cute pharmacist?
Tony, yup, I've said that buying condoms doesn't necessarily mean you're gay.
rudeboy, I guess that's why you're the rude boy. Hehehe
Gatsby, good tip! Buy among other stuff.
Ming Meows, mukha nang sanayan lang talaga.
Carrie, thanks for sharing your insights! Hmmm, I've never heard of Okamoto before. Matingnan nga. That gives me an idea for another post. :-)
Anon, well, mahihiya nga naman talaga ang karamihan ng mga gustong bumili. Yung tips ay para matulungan silang makabili sa mga unang beses para masanay, di ba? It's one thing to say "just do it" and another to give concrete ideas and helpful tips to help alleviate the concerns and apprehensions guys may have.
or you can buy magazines that have free condoms. FHM does that a lot. And buying FHM screams "straight dude!" LOL.
Personally I prefer buying condoms from mercury drug. I dunno but the fact that I'm purchasing from a drugstore makes the experience more medical than sexual, and therefore the experience is less awkward.
Johnny, I don't think buying FHM just to get the condom is really an option. It's too expensive! :-) But, you have a very good point about buying from Mercury.
I do buy condoms from watsons and I even ask the sales ladies what is the best brand. They will definitely give their recommendation. And you will end up buying the best brand. Your partner will agree on it when you use it.
hmm i never thought it would be embarrassing to buy condoms... i buy it anytime of the day hehe
miss, pabili ng durex (pag may budget) or pabili ng trust (pag kinakapos) hehe
@ Johnny Cursive- they don't sell condoms in Mercury...
Anon, oh, you ask recommendations from the sales ladies? So what is the best brand? :-)
icarusboytoy, so sanay na sanay ka na pala. Hehe.
How could anyone be ashamed of buying condoms when it really is a matter of life with HIV or stay healthy issue? It's just one of those things that you pick up at Mercury near the cashier. So what if you buy a pack, I normally buy 3 or 4 packs in one binge. The cashier doesn't mind, she's more concerned about the 500 or 1,000 bill being bogus. Just time the purchase when there are no long lines after you. Go for it!
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