I am a girl, and this is how people judged me when I bought a condom!

<p>Buying a condom can be an awkward experience in India, especially for women. Unless you make the purchase online, walking into a pharmacy or a store and asking for it can actually make you the centre of attraction (and all for the wrong reasons!). What’s the fuss all about, eh? There is no harm in embracing something that is good for health. Using protection while having sex is something that is taught to us since school time, and it comes with no harm, right?<br></p><p>Using condom is a good sexual practice and must be encouraged. Instead of rolling their eyes, passing comments, staring and gossiping, it’s high time that our society starts considering buying a condom as just another normal affair. The same applies for birth control pills, lubricants, et al, there’s not one logical reason to not do so. But still, the situation turns a little embarrassing when a woman goes to buy a condom. We got in touch with seven women who shared their experience they underwent while buying condoms for the first time. None of them had an experience they can proudly share. Some were hesitant to ask for it, some were embarrassed by staring of people around them. Read on to know more… </p>

<p>“My boyfriend had once challenged me to go and buy a condom alone. I was extremely nervous and was fumbling in front of the chemist. I could barely speak the entire word and wanted to run away from the store. Other people present there just could not stop staring at me, and some even started gossiping. Fortunately, the chemist understood my embarrassment and did not react to the on-going situation. He picked up one from the counter behind him, and gave it to me in a paper bag. I thanked him and rushed out of the store. Now, I am not accepting any such challenges, for sure.”<br></p>

<p>“I really do not care what people will think about me if I buy a condom. Everybody uses it, and what’s wrong about it? I asked my best friend to accompany me when I went to buy condoms for the first time. We were in our mid-twenties at that time, and could not control smiling. Even after sincere efforts to look normal, we kept laughing the entire time and the woman at the store actually rolled her eyes at us. We still laugh remembering that incident. Why condoms, pills, et al, are given such special treatment in our country? ”<br></p>

<p>“I clearly remember the day; it was a horrendous experience. I roamed around a pharmacy store for about 20 minutes and waited till it grew less crowded. Then, I walked in freely so that I can buy it without catching any unwanted attention for buying a condom! But as expected, the store manager’s face had a weird expression. I got irritated by the end of it. What was the use of waiting for so long when I had to face such judgemental look? Had it been a guy, the store manager would have given him the similar look as well?”<br></p>

<p>“I had a very funny experience. I was quite gutsy and asked for details about the brands, flavours and types of condoms. I had already done my homework and knew about all the options available. I am just fussy buyer and I like to know what I am buying. It took me around six seven minutes to finalise one. The guy at the store got embarrassed, and wanted me to get over with it asap. If I would have done the same for clothes, make-up, food or simply medicines, the case would have been different. Why we have to treat condoms in such a way?”<br></p>

<p>“I went to buy a packet of condom with my husband. I was not wearing bangles, traditional attire or anything which indicated that I was a married woman. A middle-aged woman at the store scanned us from top to bottom and gave us a look of utter disgust mixed with disbelief! Why? Because we did not looked a married couple! My husband stopped me but I wanted to give her a lecture about the entire episode. If it is consensual, it is completely fine to have sex before getting married. Having sex has nothing to do with marriage, please!”<br></p>

<p>“I had a smooth experience. From walking into the store, looking for the options, asking about the prices to buying other medicines, everything went fine and there was not even a hint of embarrassment. But when I went to pay the bill, the girl at the counter slyly smiled at me, and said “Oh, nice choice! I use this one too. I hope you have a great night!” I smiled back and thanked her. That was hilarious. Why she was so much concerned about my sex life? And who asked her to wish me luck? Plus, I never asked her which ones she use”<br></p>