With HIV and general STDs continuing to rise, you would think, perhaps, that it might be a good idea to make condoms as accessible as possible. But hmmm, nope, not at the local Kroger.

I went to Kroger to buy some condoms, thinking I could just grab a box and go through self-checkout. I’m not necessarily embarrassed to buy them, but I do prefer discretion. I usually just buy them online… but the details don’t matter… the point is, at this particular time, I was choosing to buy them in person.

So I went to the Kroger nearby, and was very annoyed to find them locked up in a glass case in the middle of the fucking deli! What a convenient place to put the condoms. Are they going out of their way to make it difficult for shy men to buy proper protection?

I didn’t really feel like finding someone to “let me in” to the case like some child, so I just walked out and went to another Kroger nearby.

Again, same damn scenario. I actually watched a man and woman go up to the case, see that it was locked, and walk away. Proof that people actually are discouraged from buying the condoms due to the way they are locked up. I can only hope this couple went somewhere else to get condoms and didn’t do anything careless that evening.

But I digress… I walked up to a female employee and told her I would like her to unlock the condoms case. She was much younger than I am, and visibly embarrassed and uncomfortable. She told me she didn’t have a key, so I had to walk with her through the store and up to the customer service desk, where she told another young female employee that she needed a key for the condom case. At this point, the other employee looked at me, and she didn’t know what to do. So she told the employee helping me to go ask a manager.

Fine. So I stood patiently at the desk, now feeling judged and as if I’m somehow “wrong” for buying condoms. Clearly these employees have not been trained on how to deal with this, and that’s very disappointing.

Finally, the employee re-emerged with her key, and then we had to do the same awkward walk back through the store, over to the condoms. She unlocked the door and hurried away, thankfully not sticking around to monitor what I chose.

I made my selection and then went through self checkout.

Anyway, I’d just like to say a great big FUCK YOU Kroger. There is absolutely no logical reason to made it so damn difficult to buy condoms.

Who are you protecting? Minors? If so, you should be glad that a minor has enough sense to go buy condoms. Thieves? If so, you should be so thankful that people are stealing condoms because at least they’re being responsible with their sex life.

This is ridiculous, and I’m wondering if this is a policy at all Kroger locations?

Actually, stores do that because condoms are one of the most stolen items in a store. They’re doing it to protect their bottom line.

John beat me to it. Condoms are just like razor blade refills.

It is easier to buy condoms from drugstores, like CVS, which tend to have much larger selections of type and quantity. Also, most of the CVS I shop in don’t lock them up.

Well, that’s a shame. I understand what you’re both saying, but still disagree with the solution of locking them up.

Now what if the clerk was a hot young thing like you? Would you have been more embarrassed or might you have said something like: “Is there a fitting room around here?”

Blush… Wait, what was the question again?

Not only was the embarrassment brought about by the “stigma” around sexual protection, they were locked up because of theft and the “stigma” of sex. The prudeness of America is one reason we are so messed up. If only overweight people were embarrassed to buy Frito lays and ding dongs. If only druggies were embarrassed to stand on street corners and make shady deals. We are prude in the wrong areas.

He he! I am embarrased 0.0% by situations like this, and it’s happened to me before, he he!!

Grego

Thanks for the info about Kroger.. I’ll not go there to buy my condoms when I need them. And actually, while I would have been embarrases, I probably would have made someone get them for me anyways….

Interesting coincidence, just saw this today:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090617/COLUMNIST0304/906170377/1003/BUSINESS

Great, let’s make it as difficult as possible to prevent complications from sex. Can you imagine a high school guy going through what you did to get rubbers? He’d just rely on the tried and true rhythm method.

This experience probably happened to get you over your discomfort. Now you’ve been through a worst case scenario, so condom buying should be a breeze from here on out.

Also I think you can get free condoms, online and at planned parenthood (other non-profits) so people should stop stealing and go score some free rubbers.

San Francisco is very condom friendly, the Sanrio store has a Hello Kittie condom dispenser in the bathroom.