In response to the fantastic Redhead Bedhead‘s request, I’m going to share my first time experiences in a sex shop. She is heading out on the second leg of the Superhero Sex Shop Tour (which I hope you consider funding!) and some posts will hopefully dispel the “ew, it was gross!” image that some people have of visiting a sex shop for the first time.
But here’s the thing: there is no way I can remember my first time. It was, at least, 20 years ago. As soon as I hit the magic age to legally enter (I was way too scared before), I strode right in to some shop in either Hamilton, Ontario or Toronto, Ontario. I lived in Hamilton but frequented Toronto.
Wherever it was, I was surely alone and I probably bought some porn mags (first time buying after applying five finger discount to my five finger shuffle material for so long). And it was probably a pretty cheesy place. Toronto’s Yonge Street used to have a selection of dirty, smut shops and Hamilton really didn’t have a good shop at the time at all.
But let me tell you: I was immediately enthralled and exhilarated by the experience. And I have continued this love affair with sex shops ever since.
I have great relationships with some great, quality, positive stores here in Toronto, including Come As You Are, Good For Her and Seducation. But I like my sex shops like I like my food: varied.
I am no gourmand, but sometimes I like a good dining experience highlighted by quality, ethical food. Same goes with sex shops, so for that I’d go to one of the above.
At the same time, I also love a classic greasy spoon—especially for breakfast—and so I do still visit the shops with neon XXX signs that offer coin-operated wank booths (I love the wank booths!) in the back.
And sometimes, I just want to visit a comfy chain restaurant, to eat something predictable but palatable. And that’s where chain sex shops come in. I know what to get, where to find it and how much it’ll cost.
But all of this goes back to those early visits when I got hooked on more than the physical act of sex. I got hooked on the business, the marketing, the ethics and the complexities of sex.
And I’m so glad that, wherever it was, that door opened for me.
