Fear of the d-i-l-d-o

About five minutes ago a customer, while in the midst of purchasing girl-on-girl massage porn, turns towards our strap-on area and in a disgusted manner exclaims "do women actually buy these things?"

"yes sir, many do"

(makes a face) "Do guys buy them for their girlfriends?"

"yes sire, many do."

(shudders) "Do they use it to replace their cocks? It doesn't seem right"

This is actually not an uncommon conversation for me. Our strap on section, filled with dildos and harnesses, frightens many a man. Some are intimidated by the size or the idea that a woman could replace and upgrade from their man's cock. Vibrators are fine for these men because their in no competition with "the cock". But dildos imitate "the cock" and create competition since they are getting more and more advanced. Vixen toys now makes a silicone material called VixSkin that is soft with a hard boning underneath that warms up to body temperature. Pretty advanced, no?

Guys, don't fear the dildo. And please don't make smart ass comments to me about them. It only shows your fear of being replaced.

Out of state, out of mind

You know it's a weird day when the purchases from Missouri and Wisconsin is higher than yesterdays total sales.

Since we are California based, I always find it interesting when orders come in from other states. How did they find us?

Rant from a customer on 4/12.2010 on Anal

"The older I get, the more the world is into anal"
"The world likes it up the ass. We've been fucked up the ass from the recession, I came to this liberal town to sell pot and I can't even give it away, and every woman I meet now wants a dildo in their ass."
"I have slept with 37 women and they all haven't enjoyed anal"
(Holding up our bigger dildo) "I'm built like this in case you were wondering, but all these girls want dildos in their ass"


Five minute conversations are interesting

Customers of 4/9/2010

-20-something guy asks if it was plausible that we sold g-spot vibrators? I swallowed my sarcastic response as I pointed out to him that he was standing right in front of them. I'm such a sex toy snob sometimes. He ends up buying the Wisteria G-Spot vibrator by Breeze in purple, his girlfriends favorite color.

-A 30-something guy stands impatiently holding a large bottle of Liquid Silk lube as I check the batteries of the customer in line before him. I can't decide whether he's uncomfortable waiting in line, or waiting in line at a sex shop.
-A regular customer comes in to put an advertisement for a local "bicycle week" campaign. At the holiday party last year I drank too much champagne and sat on the floor in front of the erotica shelf discussion life with her and her boyfriend.
-Two obnoxious young girls giggle and play for a good half hour with almost every object in the store. They become more irritating when they don't replace anything properly back. They end up following today's purchase tradition by getting a Wisteria G-spot vibrator, but in pink instead.

I realize as I'm writing this that being in a grumpy mood at a sex shop is not a good combination. Maybe I'll look up some internet porn. Never mind, the "Numa Numa" song just came on the radio. My mood is lifted.

Coming out on the internet

Last night we had one of our weekly classes. This week's class was on strap-on play, with actual live demonstrations. At first I was pretty nervous that as a shop we would get in trouble or at least a negative reputation in the community. But the instructor was very professional and had what she called "educational sex", where there was penetration, but no orgasms or moaning and or full blown sex. It was actually one of the best classes I think we've ever had. Thank you Rain DeGrey.

After class I was talking to Miss DeGrey and her demo bottom Devi Lynne about the internet and being publically "out" as a sexual educator and to what degree. For example, I am not completely out. I have this blog, a fetlife account, a twitter account, and a private email for all my sexual material, be that advertisements or rants. (by the way if you want to follow me on twitter: AviAnswers) On facebook, I am in the closet. I do mention that I work at a sex shop, but I am not as blunt and open about my life as I am on twitter or those other sites. Perhaps it's for the sake of my friends and family members who would rather not know about my work. Or maybe it's just for myself. I know that I have caused quite a stir with some people who know me already due to my facebook posts, but that's with things I consider petty mild. I took in the habit a few months ago to limit the viewing abilities of family members or anyone who would report back to my family. Though my parents know of my work, I don't think they would want to know the extent of what I do. There's still a part of me that would rather have them be in the dark.

Devi said that she got tired of living a double life and finally came out on facebook as a sexual educator and sex industry participant. It makes me wonder how much longer I will be able to juggle these two lives. And what happens if the merge? Will those who love me now turn their heads in disgust? There are already scandalous photos and videos of me floating out there. What happens when my parents see them?

Too many of my porn star friends have been pushed away from their families when they came out. I don't want my family to think I've become obscene or troubled. Thanks to the sex industry I am finally comfortable with who I am and what I do.

Sometimes I feel like it's only time.

Old and new

Today we've had two customers.

The first woman came in asking what the most popular vibrator we have was. This is a common question. Everyone wants the toy that is most popular, the one that flys off the shelf. That would be the Gigi by Lelo. It's rechargeable, quiet, multi speed, multi pulsations, sleek, pretty, and has a year long warranty. While I was giving her my speech about its greatness I could see the disinterest in her eyes. So I move onto the second most popular toy, the rosebud by Vibratex. This duo stimulator is popular because it's made out of smooth silicone, is pretty and pink, and has a crazy strong clit stimulator. This sold her. She bought it right away, no further questions. I do love it when its apparent that a toy has just aroused a customer.

The second woman was quite the opposite. She had come in because she acquired a coupon that we put out in the local paper that offers a free vibrating bullet with a purchase of $25. First she asked me what a bullet was. When I showed her one, and explained that it was a little clit vibrator, she didn't understand what that meant. After explaining briefly what clitoral stimulation was, she was a little flustered and nervous. She had never been in a sex shop before, and at the age of 57 had never owned a vibrator. I led her over to our vibrator section and showed her some of our simple and classic toys. She told me to just recommend one and she'd buy it. I picked the Velvet touch, which is a classic vibrator that is waterproof and battery operated. I explained to her that she should take a relaxing bath and test it out, which is a good way to guide yourself into self stimulation. Still not quite understanding the concept of her new free bullet, she rushed off nervously, giggling and thanking me for helping her.

Days like this please me