“Customers have a choice: buying accessories, films, individual or group viewing in the back room, different sessions every day…”. Claude is far from the traditional caricature of a sex shop seller. He has worked for ten years at Cho, on Gioffredo Street, and for him, “this or being a grocer, it was the same”. Besides, there is no question of hiding. “My children are not shocked that I work here. I even have grandchildren, and I plan to tell them in a few years,” says the grandfather, sitting amid countless pornographic posters. For Claude, sex shops are “not all gloomy places”. “Here, there is a good atmosphere, lots of regulars. Of course, anything can happen in the booths. But it’s between consenting adults, so there’s no control on my part.” Apologizing to advise a customer on buying a large latex massaging object, Claude tells us with humor: “Take a look elsewhere. It’s not always all rosy!”
“Here, it’s not the nice sex shop”
Seductive facade, pink neon lights, provocative name. When you enter a sex shop, it’s rarely by mistake or carelessness. This staging, supposed to entice potential customers, actually frightens many. Some establishments leave an unhealthy impression, the very one that creates these awkward prejudices for the profession: “Here, it’s not the nice sex shop. It’s hardcore, super gore, so no reporting. And don’t you dare give the name of the sex shop!” declares a seller not concerned with the image of the business. However, the official vocation of sex shops is noble: “to sell pleasure”.
So, are sex shops a “neighborhood business” like any other? The clientele is varied and loyal but always anonymous. “Sometimes I’m surprised when I see young, elegant men walking in, who go into the booths where there are people who could be their parents. On the other hand, in 10 years, I’ve only seen two women enter alone,” confides Yann, a salesman at Center Sex, opposite Nice train station.
“Lawyers, notables”
Like a chef proud of his recipes, Yann reveals to us the secrets of a good sex shop. “No prostitutes, checking customers at the entrance, free distribution of condoms, and above all, being welcoming.” Proximity that has its limits. “Couples sometimes ask me to join them, but I can’t leave my post!” In general, sex shops are only staffed by a single seller, thus leaving the back room “in the hands” of customers. Security problems? “With the regulars, no worries. They lock themselves in their booth, or they leave it open and there they know what they’re doing. We have very respectable people: lawyers, notables… The clientele is very varied, I recently advised a woman of 80 who wanted to replace her late husband with an accessory!”
