(A few years ago, I was with a friend at a local pharmacy. She was looking for water-based lubricant, but could find none on the shelf. I told her that she should ask the pharmacist, since they would know if they stocked the item, and if not they could call other stores to find out. She expressed nervousness that the pharmacist would judge her, and I assured her that it would be entirely unprofessional to do such a thing, but that if it bothered her I would go and ask in her stead. After waiting in line the following exchanged took place.)
Me: “Hello, could you tell me if this, or one of your affiliated stores, carries water-based lubricant?”
Young Pharmacist: “What?”
Me: “Water-based lubricant.”
Young Pharmacist: *looks uneasy* “Why do you need it?”
Me: *confused at the question* “Personal use.”
Young Pharmacist: *becoming irritated* “I need to know exactly what you plan to do with it!”
Me: “Why?”
Young Pharmacist: *suddenly looking upset* “Because it is a controlled substance!”
Me: *thinks he is joking* “No, it’s not.”
Young Pharmacist: *more upset* “Yes, it is!”
Me: *now getting irritated at this very unprofessional behavior* “No! It’s not!”
Young Pharmacist: *now irate* “Yes, it is, and unless you tell me what you plan to do with it I will not sell it to you!”
Me: *now very irate* “For f******!”
Young Pharmacist: *now suddenly pale and uneasy looking* “What?”
Me: *still upset* “For f******! Probably with sex toys involved as well! Anal and vaginal fucking! Now, do you have it or not?!”
Young Pharmacist: *looking very uncomfortable* “I’ll need to get my manager to approve that.” *runs to the backs and has a heated sounding conversation just out of earshot*
(At this point, an older woman who is clearly the head pharmacist comes up to the counter, looking clearly annoyed to be pulled away from whatever she was doing.)
Older Pharmacist: “Hello, I am the head pharmacist here. Would you explain to me what you need the controlled substance for?”
Me: “F******! Sex! Fornication! Probably involving sex toys since certain ones melt if you use the wrong personal lubricant.”
Older Pharmacist: *looking confused* “Personal lubricant is not a controlled substance…”
Me: “That’s what I told him!” *points to Younger Pharmacist* “But he refused to believe me, then demanded to know what I was using it for, then dragged you up here, and now here we are!”
Older Pharmacist: *looks at Younger Pharmacist* “Seriously? You seriously dragged me up here for this?” *turns to the computer* “What kind were you looking for?”
Me: “I need a water-based lubricant; nothing fancy. Do you or any other store in the chain close by carry it?”
(The older pharmacist types for a while, and the younger pharmacist looks uncomfortable.)
Older Pharmacist: “I’m not seeing anything; you probably have to get it online.”
Me: “Thank you very much for all of your help.”
(As I turn to walk back to my friend I hear this exchange between the Older and Younger Pharmacists.)
Older Pharmacist: “If you are going to work in this field you have to stop being this way about sexual and reproductive items or you will not last long.”
(I went back to my friend, informed them of the outcome, and we left. I am so happy that they dealt with me instead of her, as she would have left the pharmacy in tears with no answers.)
