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Mumbai’s shy asking for condoms

Giggles, whispers and nervous shifting of feet — enough for the chemist to guess the customer wants a condom! Why does protection make us shy?

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Giggles, whispers and nervous shifting of feet — enough for the chemist to guess the customer wants a condom! And still Mumbaikars don't want condom vending machines installed in public places and colleges. Why does protection make us shy?

Chemists say

Men whisper requests

Mostly men between the age group of 20-40 years buy condoms. We have few women customers who ask for them. Those who live in this area only buy medicines from us. The people who buy condoms don't live anywhere here because many  are still very shy. Men look around uneasily, clearly hesitant to ask for condoms aloud. Some even whisper in our ear. Surprisingly, youngsters have little hang-ups when it comes to buying condoms. They don't even care if the packet is not wrapped in brown paper.
Sanjay Khapre. Royal Chemist, Parel

Women are bolder now

Nowadays people in Mumbai have become quite free. Women are bold and not bothered of the people around them. There are those who ask for particular brands and want to know all kinds of details about them. And those who are shy and usually in a hurry, take the condoms and  rush out. Women above the age of 35 are quite reserved, but the ones between 25 to 35 are the bold ones.

Mostly women ask for condoms for men. A few months ago, a woman asked for female condoms. I didn't even know they existed. When I enquired in the market about the cost, I got to know they are very expensive.

However, the percentage of men purchasing condoms is quite high. Most of them are forthright. Sometimes, the girl is waiting on the motorbike or a cab and the guy comes and asks for a pack.

Most of the people who buy condoms are strangers. A person from the locality, who buys all his medicines from me, wouldn't buy condoms. The exception is a 70-year-old man who buys condoms from my store quite frequently. — Shoeb Wawda. Bombay Medical Stores, Mahim

Men are more conscious

Gone are the days when women felt shy buying condoms. Today, more women than men buy condoms. There are some women who are aware of female condoms, but that's a very small percentage. Most of them ask for regular ones.

As against this, men are conscious if women are around at the counter. It's not that they are shy, it’s perhaps out of respect for the people around them.

Most of the times, other customers are not comfortable when someone at the counter asks for condoms or even sanitary napkins for that matter. —Mahendra S. Jakharia Medical, Mahim

Girl talk

Health is my first priority

My husband and I usually go in the evenings to buy condoms from a select few pharmacies near our house.

The first time after our marriage, we bought condoms together. I've purchased condoms many times.

This particular pharmacy has a glass case displaying all the brands of condoms, which makes selection easier. After a browse and some questions, I choose the brand I want. They bill me for the condoms, wrap them in a newspaper or brown paper, put them inside a 'discreet' black polythene bag for me to carry. Even sanitary towels receive similar treatment.

Once I had to buy condoms, sanitary napkins and pregnancy test kits.

While the chemist remained pokerfaced as I listed the items I needed to buy, I did get strange looks from people. Health is my first priority. People's frowns and reservations can go to hell. —Aditi G

Times are changing

I have never bought condoms from my family chemist. He is inquisitive and knows my family very well. I buy them from another chemist who doesn’t behave awkwardly.

I don’t care what the people around me think. Times are changing and most bystanders are more amused than embarrassed. ” —Gunjan

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