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If someone had told me in college I’d be working in a sex toy store I would’ve laughed. Fast forward a few years and there I was, part-time job in hand, standing behind the counter of a store that sold everything from vibrators to lingerie. I’ll admit it was an eye-opener and not just because of the products on the shelves. Working in a sex shop gave me a front-row seat to people’s perceptions, curiosities, and sometimes awkwardness about their sexual health and pleasure.
The First-Day Jitters
The first day on the job I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I walked in and the bright neon signs on the window made it feel like a different world compared to any retail job I’d had before. Customers weren’t just browsing for socks or kitchen gadgets here they were buying things that were deeply personal. And that’s where the real challenge came in.
People’s reactions to walking into a sex toy store varied. Some folks walked in like they owned the place, completely at ease with browsing the aisles. Others? Well, they looked like they were sneaking into a crime scene, trying to stay under the radar while pretending to check out “just the lotions.” It wasn’t long before I realized that part of the job wasn’t just selling products it was making people feel comfortable enough to ask questions.
Breaking the Ice
Do you want to know one of the hardest parts? Getting people to open up. It’s not easy to ask a stranger about something as personal as pleasure. But over time I learned the secret: humor. If a customer was browsing and looking like they’d rather disappear than ask for help I’d crack a joke, something light. “Need help finding the rocket boosters? Or just here for the mood lighting?” It never failed to get a smile. And once the ice was broken they were more willing to ask what they were really looking for (I talk more about tips for visiting a sex toy store in this article).
Over time I found that working in a sex toy store had its own rhythm. There were the regulars—the ones who knew exactly what they were looking for and didn’t need a second opinion—and then there were the newbies. New customers would often start off hesitant, looking over their shoulders like they were being watched. But once you started talking to them and told them there was no judgment they relaxed. Most people just needed to know they weren’t “weird” or “out of place” for being curious about these things.
The Questions You Didn’t Expect
Let me tell you some of the questions I got were totally out of left field. “Will this sex toy make me lose sensitivity?” or “Can I use this in the shower?” But my all-time favorite question was probably, “What’s the quietest vibrator you’ve got? My roommate has ears like a bat.” You never know what someone’s going to ask when they walk through that door but part of the fun is figuring out how to answer without making it awkward.
I always gave customers the information they needed even if the question was a little… unusual. It’s all part of the job. And while some questions were funny some were more serious like couples coming in together to find something to spice up their relationship or someone new to toys looking for advice on where to start. The most important thing was being empathetic and understanding. It wasn’t about selling a product it was about helping people explore their sexuality in a way that felt safe and comfortable.
Behind the Scenes
Working in the backroom was just as fun as being out front because that’s where you get to know the products inside and out. Literally. I spent hours unpacking and organizing vibrators, dildos, lubricants, and lingerie. It wasn’t just about stocking shelves. I had to learn how each item worked, what made it different, and which customers would benefit from them.
I’ll never forget the day we got a shipment of “life-like” dildos in. My coworker and I spent more time laughing than working. Imagine pulling out a box full of anatomically correct items and trying to stack them neatly on the shelves without cracking a smile. It wasn’t easy! But that’s part of what made the job so fun—you never knew what was going to show up in the next shipment.
The Learning Curve and Skills
Working in a sex shop honed skills I didn’t know I had. It wasn’t just about customer service it was about understanding people’s needs. You had to be a good listener and able to read between the lines. Sometimes customers didn’t know what sex toy they wanted or weren’t comfortable enough to say it out loud. Learning to communicate clearly and help them find what they were looking for became a skill I carried over into other areas of life.
Another skill I gained? Product knowledge. You couldn’t just ring up a sale without knowing everything about every product in the store. I spent hours reading product features and customer reviews. From learning which lubes were good for sensitive skin to figuring out which vibrators were good for couples, it became second nature. And when customers trusted your recommendations it felt like a win for both.
The People You Meet
If you think working in a sex toy store is all about awkward glances and whispered questions think again. You meet some of the most interesting people. From the couple celebrating their 30th anniversary and looking to try something new to the single person confidently picking up their next pleasure product, there’s no one “type” of person who shops at these stores. It’s a reminder that sexual pleasure is universal and everyone deserves to feel good about exploring it.
My favorite customers were the ones who came in with an open mind ready to learn. They weren’t embarrassed they were excited. Those conversations always felt more like sharing stories than making sales. We’d talk about what was trending in the industry, how to use certain products, how to buy them discreetly, and even swap funny stories about sex toy mishaps (because let’s face it we’ve all been there).
The Awkward Moments
But let’s not sugarcoat it there were awkward moments too. Like the time a guy came in asking for a toy and insisted it was “for a friend” all while turning redder than a tomato. Or the time someone’s card got declined at the register and they had to make the long walk back to an ATM to get cash. The key was to keep things light and move on quickly. No one wants to feel judged especially in a place where they already feel a little vulnerable.
Then there were the pranksters. You know the ones who came in with their friends, acting like they were on a dare. They’d ask outrageous questions with a straight face or loudly comment on the products, all while trying to stifle laughter. You could tell they were just there to get a reaction. As frustrating as it was at times, you had to laugh it off and play along, knowing they’d eventually get bored and leave.
Community and Teamwork
One of the best parts of the job was the sense of community among the staff. Working in a place like this you form a tight-knit community with your coworkers. We all shared the same mindset—open non-judgmental and curious about the industry. There were days when we’d help each other out with tricky customers, brainstorm ways to explain a product, or just laugh about the weird situations we’d encountered. Having that kind of support made the job a lot more fun and helped to lighten the load during those busy shifts.
It wasn’t just teamwork either we became friends outside of work too. Whether it was grabbing drinks after a shift or swapping stories over lunch the people I worked with were a big part of what made the job enjoyable.
A Learning Experience
In the end, working in a sex toy store taught me more than I ever expected. I learned about the industry sure but I also learned a lot about people—what makes them tick what they’re curious about and how they handle sensitive topics. I discovered that everyone no matter how confident they appear has questions and uncertainties about sex and pleasure. And that’s totally okay.
It also helped me become a better sex toy tester and educator. I carried those experiences with me when my wife and and I started My Sex Toy Guide (the website you are reading now) which eventually led me to become a best-selling author. Knowing how to talk to people about their needs and guiding them toward the right products without making them feel uncomfortable—that’s something I’ll always be grateful for learning.
Final Thoughts
So what’s it like working in a sex toy store? Well, I like to say it’s a little bit of everything. It’s funny, awkward, rewarding, and occasionally embarrassing. But more than anything it’s an experience that opens your eyes to the fact that people’s needs and curiosities about sex are as varied as the products on the shelves. Working there taught me that selling sex toys isn’t just about making a sale—it’s all about helping people feel good about their desires. And honestly? There’s no better feeling than that.
Happy vibing!
Tim
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