Under the Bloomberg administration, New York City has distributed millions and millions of free condoms at bars and other public locations throughout the five boroughs. I think it’s a great social program, though there has been a lot of bellyaching from some quarters about “subsidizing promiscuity” and such. Blah blah blah.
The original condoms were packaged in a black wrapper, with the letters “NYC CONDOM” in brightly colored bubbles that resembled our subway line logos. You can see that here. But after three years, the city Department of Health has decided to rebrand their product with a new wrapper. And the winner is…
Kinda weird. It’s based on the “power on” button familiar from computers and other electronic devices, but of course it also evokes penetrative intercourse.
I like that it’s not strictly gendered, and could reference more than just PIV sex, since condom usage is important for more than just pregnancy prevention.
But I’m not sure I like it. Power on? Get it on? Put it on? Sex = computers? Although really, my liking it doesn’t matter, since my condom usage is almost nil.
But maybe yours isn’t. What do you think? Effective? Clever? And most importantly, will dudes pick them up–and use them?
Uhhh…okay. I agree that it’s better than something gendered or overly “brand-ed.”
I have to say, as someone who is a frequent user of condoms, I’ve never bought or used one because of how it was packaged. It’s a condom! It goes on your wang to prevent diseases and pregnancy (well, not my wang, but you know…). It’s not something that SHOULD require a gimmicky package, IMO. Just use as necessary and it’s all good.
To be honest, the only condom packaging I’ve ever found was a plus in any way is Planned Parenthood’s “Proper Attire”. That I think is clever. This? Meh. Although probably not having the name LifeStyles on the package is good, since in my experience, they have a reputation for sucking.
I saw multiple men of my acquaintance pick up and pocket the old NYC condoms from bars with the explanation that they were “cool”. Plural of anecdote obviously not data, but I do think that the whole concept…the publicity around the design, having them available in bars, and the packaging that doesn’t scream condom all help it seem more normal and less awkward or shameful to be carry condoms. Which is a very good thing, in my opinion.
I thought the “Achtung, Baby” condoms the U2 sold during their ZooTV tour, with the baby in a red circle and slash were pretty awesomely “branded.” But apart from that, I just don’t care. As long as it does what it’s supposed to do.
The best packaging I ever saw were condoms my university handed out during lunch once a week. They were labeled “Mr. Happy’s Hat” and had a picture of a yellow smiley face wearing a condom as a hat. A lot of people picked them up because they were hilarious.
I agree that free condoms sell themselves to me by being free and not because of the packaging.
I do prefer them to not be different colors, because sometimes boys yell when they think something has gone wrong with their penis and it has turned jaundice yellow, or whatever, and then I think they are yelling because there is something wrong with the condom. So, those spread anxiety, in my opinion.
LAME. The old version was way cuter. It had kind of a subway theme, which made it New York-y and kind of funny, from a double entendre perspective.
http://echtnewyork.com/unterwegsnewyork/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/new-york-kondom3.jpg
I actually have whole bunch of these at home right now; why buy ‘em when you can get ‘em at Marie’s Crisis for free?
@Meg: Just out of curiosity, how do those NYC condoms compare with drugstore-bought ones? Are they lubricated, for example? I’ve never actually used one.
I will never look at turning my computer on the same way again.
Okay, I’m asexual and a virgin, but still. Creepy. So. Very. Creepy.
They should have had a condom design-off. Maybe a Project Runway challenge, back when it was on Bravo.
I’m personally a fan of the condoms with an Israeli flag that say, “Israel: It’s still safe to come.”
Yeah, we’re giving those out at a program with my school’s Jewish organization…
@vegkitty: that is the most awesome thing i have ever heard.
Honestly condom packaging isn’t a huge thing for me. As long as they work.
Like others have said, I think it’s eye-catching and possibly “cooler,” which might make men pick it up and keep it around.
When I saw the image, however, I immediately thought of Sex as Power.
In my mind, putting the power button on a condom sends the message that having sex is exerting power, which makes me uncomfortable. I think this is because those kinds of condoms are for men to wear. I’m not sure I’d be so concerned if the power symbol appeared on female condoms or dental dams.
I’m a geek and like the new ones. Of course, I do live in Silicon Valley. The design would be more appropriate here;-)
Skada put their finger on why the new design was bothering me. I can’t deny that the “turn me on”/penetration visual double entendre is clever, but I just get a visceral squick from the “power button” image. But to tell the truth, the conflation of sex with machinery in the subway design bothered me a little too, but it was less blatantly, visually, *there*. I guess I like it when a penis is just a penis and a train is just a train.
Okay, I have to admit that I laughed out loud when I saw this. It looks pretty..instructive to me, which would also mean that it’s pretty heteronormative.
It did not in any way remind me of a power switch, but that might be a generational thing. At least it’s not Mr Yuck.
I like it. The power on symbol makes me think of vigour, energy, getting started, charging up. It didn’t make me think of the other sense of power, i.e. control or influence, probably because that’s not the way in which the power on button on a computer is ever used.
I think the image is clever. I don’t think it is heteronormative at all; the circle to me doesn’t look any more similar to a vagina than to an anus. Or a mouth.
My verdict: it’s a winner.
Giving out condoms is a very good thing. Since I haven’t had a drink in over 20 years I hadn’t picked up on any of the free ones. I’m in total agreement with your assessment and comment, Becky. I still carry condoms, whether in my wallet or in my purse if in drag despite the fact that I’ve managed to avoid getting laid since I’ve been sober. Carrying condoms is just good practice and has nothing to do with intent or promoting desire (I’m living proof of that). It’s just that if a situation does arise when sex occurs it’s best if it’s safe sex. As for the design on the condom packaging, I think some indication of what it’s supposed to be used for might be a good idea for ignorant drunks. The gender neutral design may be a nice way of reducing the number of people who would be put off by some gender related theme. This particular design didn’t register with me as I’m not from the techno-geek generation. With my luck the next time someone hits me up for sex it will be in a situation where some adult movie director wants to see a cum-shot and I’m not in the market. Yay condoms anyway. Happy safe sex everybody. If only it were true that the appearance of condoms made people want sex. No such luck.
Bah. The old design was *much* better. If it ain’t broke … sigh.
@BeckyS – as I recall, they were perfectly good quality, and lubricated.
@Becky: Yes, I double-checked last night. They are actually Lifetsyles brand, lubricated.