So, buying balloons from shops or supermarkets

[inflatoal47]

Hey guys, have you ever felt any embarrassment buying balloons from your local shop incase of the cashier thinking you have a balloon fetish?

if so, how do you get around it? (Apart from the obvious, buy online)

Al

[bfinch2000]

I definitely know what you mean. I actually prefer it to buying online because then there's no record anywhere, but I do always think that maybe everyone who sees me knows why I'm buying them. It doesn't make sense, but I still feel like that!

[BusterBill]

I never understood why anyone would care about what strangers think of our fetish. Why do so many looners feel guilt, fear and shame? And why the heck would you care about the opinion of some store clerk? It boggles my mind.

[Azurefox]

I never understood why anyone would care about what strangers think of our fetish. Why do so many looners feel guilt, fear and shame? And why the heck would you care about the opinion of some store clerk? It boggles my mind.

People's minds are different though. The fact that the fetish even exists boggles a lot of people's minds. Why are people terrified of spiders? Boggles my mind. Why are cats terrified by cucumbers? boggles my mind.

I share the same sentiment as OP. I would never buy balloons from my hometown dollar store for two reasons... #1 because they might catch on. #2 because the dollar store in my hometown apparently doesn't know that balloons aren't really viable when they were manufactured say... five years ago. Good thing Unique puts the manufacture date on their packages cause Qualatex doesn't.

@OP I think you disqualified the only obvious answer here. I guess if you have someone that knows about your passion, you could ask them. But if you're afraid to do it yourself you might have to take your business online. I suffer from this problem as well so I refuse to buy from local businesses.

[bloonprincess]

Oh absolutely 100%. Like, it's pretty irrational because
no one gives a heck about what you're doing, no one's paying attention to you. But still. I feel like they can sense it somehow lol. If I go to like Wal-Mart or whatever I'll get a basket and go get other groceries or whatever that I need so I can kinda hide the balloons in there 😋 If I go to saaaay Party City, I get terrified because what if someone notices I'm a uh regular customer? Fortunately I mainly just buy my bloons online now so this isn't much of an issue anymore, thank goodness.

[LondonLarry]

If you ever feel embarrassed buying balloons from a Supermarket either use self checkout or take to a till and buy a birthday card with them, balloons and birthdays go together. Maybe a milestone birthday card like 'Happy 18th!' or 'Happy 21st'. No one will look twice or think anything strange.

[Timid Popper]

I buy balloons at my local Walmart frequently. The only time anyone has every mentioned them is a lady who was reminded that she wanted to buy balloons for an event. I never even get a look. I feel a little strange about it, knowing what I will ultimately do with them, but no one notices.

[Danniballoon]

Hey guys, have you ever felt any embarrassment buying balloons from your local shop incase of the cashier thinking you have a balloon fetish?

if so, how do you get around it? (Apart from the obvious, buy online)

Al

I used to feel like that & still do to a certain extent, thogh it doesn't bother me much, nowadays. There are so many different fetishes, like for example, stomping marshmallows, yet you don't feel embarrassed buying those in a store. When you think about it, why should balloons be any different.

[Azurefox]

I used to feel like that & still do to a certain extent, though it doesn't bother me much, nowadays. There are so many different fetishes, like for example, stomping marshmallows, yet you don't feel embarrassed buying those in a store. When you think about it, why should balloons be any different.

Understood. But part of the reason for me is that balloons are associated with being a small kid's toy. It's kind of like being afraid of someone saying to you "why are you playing with Barbie dolls, or sleeping with Teddie Bears".

[Azurefox]

Oh absolutely 100%. Like, it's pretty irrational because
no one gives a heck about what you're doing, no one's paying attention to you.

I watched a youtube video once. It was basically a study of what would happen if you walked in a university lecture with let's say a rediculous looking shirt. To cut to the chase, you'll catch some eyes but at the end of the day, people are not gonna remember that the next day. Every person is in the world is self-centric but we don't realize that other people don't really care unless we push our way of life on them. I wouldn't do it in my area cause people know who I am but... In a larger urban centre I would gladly get a bunch of helium balloons. I know people are gonna look at me; but it's gonna be of admiration.

I know this. So when you say it's irrational , it's 100% correct. I',m always going to worry that people may find out about the fetish. Still, The balloon fetish is not really well known so people will not make that assumption.

PS: I'm going to take this opportunity say: Please do not go on shows hosted by mainstream media talking about your love. Mainstream media is like the "cool kid" in the class that only wants ratings at our expense. I've seen "documentaries" of looners on the discovery channels. They are NOT on our side, please don
t do it

[bloonprincess]

I watched a youtube video once. It was basically a study of what would happen if you walked in a university lecture with let's say a rediculous looking shirt. To cut to the chase, you'll catch some eyes but at the end of the day, people are not gonna remember that the next day. Every person is in the world is self-centric but we don't realize that other people don't really care unless we push our way of life on them. I wouldn't do it in my area cause people know who I am but... In a larger urban centre I would gladly get a bunch of helium balloons. I know people are gonna look at me; but it's gonna be of admiration.

I know this. So when you say it's irrational , it's 100% correct. I',m always going to worry that people may find out about the fetish. Still, The balloon fetish is not really well known so people will not make that assumption.

PS: I'm going to take this opportunity say: Please do not go on shows hosted by mainstream media talking about your love. Mainstream media is like the "cool kid" in the class that only wants ratings at our expense. I've seen "documentaries" of looners on the discovery channels. They are NOT on our side, please don
t do it

Oh my gosh I would never haha. I've heard about how they frame people like us. It's a shame. I jokingly call myself a weirdo, but in reality we are indeed just normal people like eveyone else. We just have an admittedly funny preoccupation lol.

Also yeah I'm highly tempted to start taking a balloon with me out in public sometimes. No harm in bringing one or two to the mall with me ^^

[Azurefox]

Also yeah I'm highly tempted to start taking a balloon with me out in public sometimes. No harm in bringing one or two to the mall with me ^^

Take me with you lol. It's less embarrassing when you have someone with you. Let's get a crap ton of helium balloons and walk under a balloon umbrella XD XD XD

Ah.... Fantasies

[Danniballoon]

Understood. But part of the reason for me is that balloons are associated with being a small kid's toy. It's kind of like being afraid of someone saying to you "why are you playing with Barbie dolls, or sleeping with Teddie Bears".

I love plastic models, pretty much a kids toy, have done since the age of 5. I'm 66 now & still love them. I have no problem at all going in to a store & buying loads of them

[LoonerHoax]

I used to be nervous about buying balloons in public but I have gotten over it. I don't go to Party City unless I am looking to get some helium mylar balloons. For latex, I go to a distributor that I have been working with for over a decade. For larger or shape balloons, I use online retailers.

[heliumsitr68]

I started a topic awhile back about "Documentaries" I don't think I've seen one that didn't make us look like a bunch of total freaks !! All in all , I am still a bit nervous when I buy balloons in a shop . Typically , I buy when I'm out far away from where I live .