A cheeky new cell phone charm from China is making "bad" boys & girls look more edgy and, surprisingly, just may be helping them to “play safe” – if you know what I mean (wink wink nudge nudge). The “Interesting Imported Condoms” (as they are called) first hit the market in the city of Nanning and are priced from 5 yuan to 20 yuan (under $3) each. In a blatant bid to appeal to school-age teens, the wrappers feature cartoon characters, zodiac signs, etc and the enclosed contraceptive comes in several cute colors. The kicker is the grommet in one corner of the packaging… ideal for attaching to one’s cell phone.
Students carrying around contraceptives is nothing new, as those who recall the early ’80s Dr. Demento fave tune “Circular Impression” by The Extras know all too well. Those who actually kept a contraceptive in their wallets often found that when the time finally came to install “the nose cone on their rocket”, months (or years) of unrelenting pressure had flattened the latex into a mere circular impression… leading to a state of depression… in their walla walla wa – OK, just watch the video:
So where were we? Ah yes, much better to have the li’l guy’s raincoat swinging free & easy from your phone than slowly squashed between your student card and that poorly forged note from "Mom" you were too chicken to try and use. Chinese kids seem to agree, with the added bonus of some social stigma removal in the bargain.
“Many students in school have this kind of cell phone chain,” said a charm owner by the name of Xiao Li. “Everyone thought they are unique and fashionable.”
Xiao Li explained that he used to carry a contraceptive in his pocket
and always felt nervous, afraid others would see it accidentally. “Now we can openly carry it, for emergency use.
About that last little bit of info, potential buyers (and wishful users) should be aware that these “Interesting Imported Condoms” carry no brand name, manufacturer or expiration date – for all we know they were sourced by Seinfeld’s Bob Sacamano. Goes to show ya, when Trendy meets Safety, Trendy wins out every time. (via Ifeng.com and China Hush)
*** UPDATED! Originally published on April 23rd, 2010
