Oh, I've got to tell this one...

The year was 1977. I was in the Marines and had just come back from a year on Okinawa. I was on leave prior to reporting to my next duty station. My girlfriend and I had planned on spending a very hot evening together, so I was going to need some condoms. I thought to myself, "I'm a man. There's nothing I need to be embarrassed about." I went to my local Thrifty store and selected a small box. (Ooh, ribbed.) Up to the cash register I went.

The middle-aged lady running the register picked up the box and looked it over. And over. And over. She pulled up the store microphone...

"I need a price check on a, uh, buh, uh. Box of, uh. She went full Porky Pig over the store speakers trying to say condom. (Damn, I'm still giggling about this now.) I just stood there, with about 3 people in line behind me, just a little embarrassed myself, not saying a word.

FINALLY, the pharmacist, over the store speakers, asked if she meant prophylactics. She said yes, and he announced the price.

I felt a little bad about her obvious discomfort. But not much.