Sex In Ireland 2012: A Hot Press Special
It isn’t just the popularity of 50 Shades Of Grey. In 2012, young Irish people are far more comfortable about themselves, their sexuality – and their sex toys – than ever before.
Anne Sexton, 28 Aug 2012
Reports from the UK suggest that the popularity of the book has seen an increase in sex toy sales as well, in particular BDSM paraphernalia, including whips and blindfolds. I got onto some of Ireland’s best-known adult stores to find out if this was true also in the lands of saints and scholars.
Brendan Almack from online adult retailer, TheSexShop.ie, tells me that in the last few
weeks there has definitely been increased traffic to their site.
“We couldn’t figure it out,” Brendan says, “and then someone mentioned the 50 Shades book. We have been selling quite a lot over the last week, week and a half, that’s for sure!”
What are their most popular sellers? “Vibrators closely followed by cock rings,” says Brendan. “A lot of people are making a his-and-hers purchase.”
The ultimate his-and-hers toy is the We-Vibe and this is a particularly big hit at the moment.
“There is a bigger interest in erotic novels in general,” says Avril from SecretsIreland.com. “They work better for women because they are more imaginative.”
While 50 Shades Of Grey may have seen a bump in toy sales, Irish attitudes to toys have been changing for a while.
“More women are buying for themselves,” Avril says, “and there is also a lot more, to put it discreetly, bottom sex going on.”
Justin from Miss Fantasia has noticed a similar trend. The store now stocks a whole row of products for anal sex. “It used to be just a couple of items,” he says, “but we’ve expanded our range a lot recently.”
Also selling well at the moment, says Justin, are strap-on dildos, used by women on their male – or female – partners.
While the stigma has clearly gone from buying sex toys and people travel from all over Ireland to drop into places like Miss Fantasia, online adult stores are good for those outside urban areas who can’t get to town, or who prefer not to be seen walking in and out of sex shops. Both TheSexShop.ie. and SecretsIreland.com deliver in plain packaging and use innocuous names on credit card statements.
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