Sometimes when you look at a sex toy, the meaning is obvious. Those handcuffs are, well, handcuffs. Other times, it’s not always so clear. This can be something as basic as wondering exactly where that vibrator goes to literally having absolutely no idea what a certain toy is. Sometimes people will take a guess and oftentimes they are fun and inventive in ways I never would have imagined.

How well do you know the toys that stump our customers? Try this multiple choice quiz and see (BONUS if you can name all of the toys as you go).

1. This is:

a) A grip strengthener to help you hold on to your sex toys

b) A combination G-spot/clitoral stimulation toy

c) A new BDSM pinching toy
d) A nutcracker

2. This is:

a) Babeland’s new line of futuristic headwear

b) A cap for a small vibrator

c) A large vibrating cone that you sit on

d) Paris Hilton’s newest accessory

3. This is:

a) The latest in prostate stimulation technology

b) A modern dance abstract sculpture

c) A sleek new silicone lube dispenser

d) A massage toy

4. This is:

a) A piece from a long-lost Muppets show

b) A cup to hold cum during penetration

c) An attachment for the Hitachi Magic Wand

d) The latest in dildo-handle technology

5. This is:

a) Fingercuffs for Simpsons characters

b) A toy that turns two dildos into one double dildo

c) A dildo storage rack

d) A new kind of mask

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.

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Answers: 1) b 2) c 3) a 4) c 5) b

Names: 1) Rock Chick 2) Cone 3) Nexus 4) Gee-Whiz 5) Coupler

So, how did you do? You are now prepared to walk into any Babeland and proudly display your skills.

I’m thrilled to announce that Rachel Kramer Bussel will be guest blogging here all week next week. Rachel writes a fantastic blog called Lusty Lady and she’s a former Village Voice sex columnist. Not only that, but she writes and edits some of the steamiest erotica out there. She has stories in the Best Women’s Erotica series and has edited her own collections that cover domination, cross-dressing and voyeurism. You can read more about it on her blog (which I highly recommend you do).

If you live in New York City, Rachel hosts an erotic reading series called In The Flesh. The hotest erotica writers read new and classic stories and there’s candy and cupcakes. The next one is September 20th at Happy Ending Lounge. She even keeps a blog for the event if you want to learn more about it.

I’m thrilled to have Rachel here next week so don’t forget to check back to read what she has to say!

I love this photograph from Boing Boing (my favorite blog). I know when I’m looking for condoms I head right for the Sour Patch Kids. It’s great, though, that this store didn’t feel the need to separate out the condoms from everything else. It makes shopping so much easier when you don’t have to overcome your fear and ask the surly guy behind the counter for what you need. Even though he’s sold a million condoms to people way more interesting that you, it can still be difficult.

Working in a sex toy store really shifts your perspective on these things. I remember the days when I would slink into Wal-Mart or a convenience store to buy condoms. I’d often walk out with toothpaste, deodorant and other assorted items (candy?) and the condoms, just so that it wouldn’t look like that was all I’d gone in there for. In these stores, condoms are the most “naughty” thing you can buy (unless you know what to do with that massager).

At Babeland, condoms are the least “naughty” thing you can buy. Although I’m always happy when people want to come get their safer sex supplies from us, when they only buy condoms, I always find myself hoping that they’ll at least glance at the vibrators or get waylaid by the stretchy cock rings near the cash register. But if not, I’ll count out their purchase and send them on their way. Maybe next time. It’s all about that shift in perspective. In one store - buying condoms makes you freaky. In another, it’s the most blase thing imaginable.