Rated R for Retail: My Experience Working at a Sex Store
“So, where exactly do you work?”
I learned more than I had hoped for since early April.
I had been working at a tourist-backed mall for about a month, and honestly it has been the worst job I’ve held to this day. My manager was the typical sales-hungry guy who would want me to make a forced interaction with every customer just to sell them a $40 dollar bracelet.
Here, things weren’t working in my favor: I had gotten in trouble for underselling a $150 necklace for $80 (we had to memorize all the prices, and in this case, my memory wasn’t in my favor.)
I chose to quit the day of this incident and despite my manager’s persistent effort to keep me as an employee, I decided to move on. I applied for a couple of jobs that day, with no expectation of hearing a call-back, as expected in the current state of the economy.
My phone rang–I was in the middle of showering, and with soapy hands and wet hair, I answered.
“Hey, is this Helen? This is the manager of ___ calling about the job posting that you applied for,” she said. “Hi, yes that’s me.” I replied.
“Great, I was wondering if you could come in for an interview today at 4pm,” she said. “That works for me, I’ll be there,” I affirmed.
“Also, I wanted to confirm, since we are an adult store, I wanted to confirm that you feel comfortable being in that sort of environment,” she added. To be honest, I didn’t really remember the jobs I applied for, I was mindlessly applying to anything I could find, not caring for what the job entailed.
“Yes, that’s not a problem at all,” I said.
It’s 4pm and the store ends up being a bit far from me but nonetheless, I arrived early. The interview was short, and mostly consisted of the manager telling me about the store and my responsibilities working there.
By the end, I was hired on the spot. I couldn’t believe my luck. The same day I quit my job was the same day I got hired.
A week later, I began my training shifts with another store associate. The job was easy–attend the customers and leave the store clean. At the time, that was all I was expected to know. It couldn’t have prepared me for what was to come.
I began working night shifts. It was a grueling and long 9 hours. A common question I get from customers is: “Do you usually get a lot of creeps in here?” Sometimes, yes, but in reality, I’ve had all sorts of people walk in.
In the store, we get the occasional sex worker asking what heels suit her best, the husband asking what his wife would like, and which enhancement pill I recommend. (which honestly is none of them)
I’ve had customers ask if I “offer services” when my job is simply being a clerk. Some are more direct than others, with one guy asking me (with a straight face) if I can have sex with him in his car.
Simply sitting behind a counter at a sex shop subjects me to harassment.When it comes to working in the adult entertainment industry, even if it’s only a retail store, it’s looked down upon. Like a lamb fed to wolves; except the lamb is caged in, leaving the wolves unable to reach her.
I am not shy telling people where I work. It is a normal job, at a normal store. I don’t feel ashamed talking about sex toys, lingerie, or what color you prefer your vibrator in.
Alternatively, there’s nothing wrong with laughing at the dick-shaped candy, just don’t do it 5 minutes before we close.
Strike Out,
Helen Capote
Miami
Helen Capote is a student at Florida International University, majoring in Social Work and Journalism. Helen's work is investigative and culture-focused, exploring societal subcultures. Her interests include collecting physical media, solo-dates, and eating burritos. She self-publishes on Substack (@rejectallamerican)
