Repackaging the Sex Shop: Good Vibrations

I can't exactly remember what my girlfriends and I were looking for when we decided to go to Good Vibrations on San Pablo in Berkeley three years ago, but I do remember the surprisingly welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. Imagine the Borders sex section expanded into an entire store replete with knick knacks and a media section. It was my first sex shop experience, and for my first it was a gentle introduction into the raunchy world of S&M, self-pleasure, sex toys and porno. I clearly remember not buying anything, but at least the environment was comfortable enough for me to leisurely peruse the store wall to wall without worrying about onlookers on the street gawking into the store (windows are blacked out). For some silly reason I was interested in finding a DVD featuring a three-some...I quickly found out that I wasn't ready for anything resembling a menage a trois after taking a look at the front and back cover! There's not enough gay in me. According to a friend, you rarely find a gay Pisces. I guess that rules out girls for me. You can't say that I didn't think about it once or twice.

Now I remember! We went to Good Vibrations to find penis shaped cookie cutters for my friend's birthday party! Being the reserved and shy girl she was, it was extremely fun chanting "big dick! big dick!" while she attempted to shove all the penis shaped cookies down her mouth. I could only imagine what her boyfriend was thinking.

For a less traumatizing sex shop experience, I recommend finding a Good Vibrations near you. I believe the original concept was to create a safe and female-friendly environment for people to explore sex-enhancing toys and disassociate itself with the dirty shops you see peeves go into. Unlike other sex shops, they advocate safe sex and sexual education. They also had fliers at the counter advertising local pole dancing classes if I remember right. Maybe if I'm feeling adventurous one of these days I'll pop into Good Vibrations and take home something worth hiding.