Скачать или смотреть SINGAPORE: NEW CONDOM SHOP OPENS

(3 May 1995) English/Nat

A shop that sells only condoms has opened in Singapore - where sex can still be a dirty word.

Nude scenes are cut from movies, pornography is banned and women's magazines are warned not to cover sexual issues.

But the prevailing puritanism was no barrier to an entrepreneurial American.

Singapore's shoppers have never seen anything like it.

Condomania - a store selling 100 varieties of condom - has opened in Orchard Road, the city's glitziest shopping district.

Here the locals can browse - or buy condoms of every shape, size and colour.

Some glow in the dark ... others are scented or flavoured ... some are studded, ribbed or striped. Others are just plain latex.

More than half the brands on sale are only toys meant as novelty gifts.

In prim and proper Singapore, there's a mixture of embarrassment ... and relief.

SOUNDBITE:

I think once this shop has started, a lot of people will come in to buy condoms because most of the time people like me feel very uneasy to go to a supermarket because the cashier is a woman and it's just so shameful.

SUPERCAPTION: Condom buyer

The shop's owner hopes the shop will make people feel more relaxed about buying condoms .

He already has four similar stores in Japan - and hopes Singaporeans will be less reserved than the Japanese.

SOUNDBITE

Since we opened in the last couple of days the people of Singapore are not as hesitant as say the Japanese , as when we opened in Japan the Japanese would take two steps in and then run out.

SUPERCAPTION: John Shimeall, Managing Director, Condomania

Some Singaporeans are worried the shop will encourage promiscuity.

But Condomania's owner maintains it will increase awareness of AIDS and promote safe sex.

Sex lives in Singapore might never be the same again.

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