Last week, my husband Bill’s relative asked us to pick up some Gas-X for her. Bill and I were totally embarrassed but I made him buy it because it was his relative. Plus, if I bought it I would feel the need to tell the cashier, “By the way, this isn’t for me.” And then, what if I ran into someone I knew at the check-out? Would I awkwardly attempt to block the Gas-X on the conveyor belt or just casually say, “Oh, hi Bob, just pickin’ up some Gas-X for a relative. Say hello to Mary.”

After the Gas-X incident, I began wondering if other adults became uncomfortable when purchasing certain products. I began asking people about it and below are some responses: (Please note, names have been changed to protect the humiliated.)

“On the morning of my friend’s wedding I went into Walgreens with her. She bought Visine and condoms while wearing her veil. She wasn’t embarrassed but I sure was!” Sandy, 37

“My stepdad used to stock up on Depends Undergarments for his elderly mother. When she went to a nursing home he felt the need to return all the stocked-up Depends. He and my mother returned so many they were eventually ‘blackballed’ from retuning any more to the store. So, every time I came home from college, I was forced to return cartloads of Depends to Venture.” Sarah, 32

“I had to buy a pregnancy test and I wasn’t married. A teenage boy came and asked if I needed help and I’m like, ‘NO, No thanks!’ I certainly didn’t want him helping me with my situation.” Tricia, 31

“I went to Walgreens to buy yeast infection cream for my daughter. As I picked up the box my other daughter's teacher walked by. As we exchanged pleasantries, I instinctively tucked the box under the bag of jolly ranchers I was holding. I felt stupid afterwards for feeling I had to hide it but I was also annoyed that it was actually for my five year-old when I'm sure she thought it was for me!” Linda, 41

“I was mortified to buy hemorrhoid cream and stool softener after I gave birth! Ouch!” Beth, 36

“When I was a teenager, my friend and I went into a bookstore to buy "How to Make Love to a Man." We each put the book face down on the counter and giggled, but tried to play it cool; the cashier acted like he didn't know what book it was. As we walked out, the cashier yelled to us, ‘Happy Studying!’ Marissa, 40

“We buy adult diapers and bed pads to line the cages for our guinea pigs. I want to tell the cashier it’s for the guinea pigs but it sounds too far fetched for anyone to believe.” Gary, 38

“I couldn’t find the ‘feminine section’ at Target. I walked up and down several aisles, only to have to break down and ask an employee. I didn’t want to ask, ‘where are the maxi pads and tampons’ so I used the formal ‘Feminine Hygiene Products’- a little uncomfortable, but what could I do?” Tracey, 39

“I went to buy a doctor-recommended medication for a minor infection. I was horrified when I saw the packaging. At the top, in huge letters, it said ‘PAINFUL ITCHING and BURNING.’ All I could think of is how am I going to bring this over to the 16 year old male cashier and not have him laugh or show signs of disgust? I kept reminding myself I'm a mother who’s had two C-sections and I can do this.” Lauren, 33

“Really, Susan! I stopped being embarrassed to buy anything when I was about 12 years old!” My sister Julie, 2 full years older than me.

After reviewing these responses, I happened to meet Buffalo Grove resident, Mandy Fargotstein, RPh, a registered pharmacist, currently working on her doctorate of pharmacy degree. I asked Mandy if pharmacists or cashiers take notice of the rather embarrassing items people purchase.

“Personally, I don’t notice it,” says Fargotstein who has been a pharmacist for 25 years. “Pharmacists have to be professional and we are trained to hear and see anything and everything. We’re taught to keep the confidentiality of the patients and we just try to help people with whatever issues they have. When purchasing certain products, however, some people are more reserved or more comfortable getting help from their own gender and some don’t care,”

Well, next time I have to buy an embarrassing item, I will try not to be as mortified as in the past. Happy shopping! To contact me about future columns, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.susandubin.com.

© 2007 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois