FLASHBACKS

Condom Shack Dating

Micro memoir of when I went mixing up searching for a job, and a date, in an inappropriate place

Photo by Lauren O’Neil — from article on its closure

I went to the Condom Shack to look for work, shortly after it had opened. I was twenty-one, new to Canada, and very excited about this shiny new country and the wonderful people there.

I’m sad to hear it closed 6 years ago. However, I only went in once, as explained below.

I went in to ask three questions…

a) Do you have any jobs going?

The beautiful saleswoman smiled an open, warm, generous Canadian smile, “No, sorry, keep your resume on file, though!”

b) Hey, I’m new here. Do you think you could show me around? (I don’t think I winked but that’s how I felt I came across!)

A darkness fell across the land, and her face went with it, “No.”

I didn’t bother with my third question:

c) Can I have some condoms, please?

You can make up your own mind about what she thought I was thinking, propositioning someone who worked in that kind of shop…That, though, was a coincidence; she just seemed lovely to me!