Flynn Taggart

Sometimes I wonder what someone was thinking when they decided to advertise a product, person, or idea in a particular way. Take, for example, the public bus I saw at the shopping mall this morning:

“Free condoms. Get some!” it touts. Seriously? We’ve resorted to advertising sex supplies on the side of our public transportation? Don’t get me wrong; I’m not a prude, nor do I have anything against birth control. As far as I’m concerned, people can do whatever they want when it comes to that. Abstinence, the pill, condoms, a wool sock… I don’t care. It’s their life, so they can choose to live it however they want… As long as they don’t come to me for financial assistance when they suddenly realize that 12 children is too many to handle. But, that’s another rant for another time.

I’m not annoyed about the bus advertisement for free condoms. I guess I’m just a bit bewildered that it’s posted in grand fashion on the side of a bus. Given the subject matter, it surprises me that someone didn’t have a problem with driving it around town. I mean, if a conservative wanted to advertise: “It’s abstinence or nothing.” on the side of a bus, we’d have liberal-minded folk jumping down their throat. “How dare they impress that upon our children?” they might say. Yet, free condoms are okay with the conservatives these days? Apparently so.

Branching in another direction, who is actually taking advantage of the free condoms? I have to admit that I’d feel a bit odd if I walked into a building, sauntered up to a desk, slammed my fist on the table, and said, with a gleam in my eye, “Hi there. I saw the bus ad. Give me all the free condoms you got!” Then again, maybe other people are different. I recall watching a guy in CVS carry condoms up to the counter, lay them down, and then while the cashier was cashing him out, he proudly stated that “it’s going to be a busy weekend.” Great. A little too much information there, pal. If I recall, the female cashier was rather embarrassed. Can’t blame her on that one.