Some teens think girls and guys look “smart” when they carry a condom on a date! We ran some polls about this question on Sexetc.org. Here are the results:

Over 2,200 readers took our poll on guys who carry condoms on a date:

• 38 percent thought he looks “smart and prepared.”
• 30 percent thought he looks like he was “expecting to have sex.”
• 25 percent thought he looks like a player.
• 7 percent thought he looks like he was trying to look cool.

The next week, over 2,600 readers took our poll on girls who carry condoms on a date:

• 54 percent thought she looks “prepared for anything, and smart, too!”
• 31 percent thought she looks “definitely willing to have sex.”
• 10 percent thought she looks like a slut.
• 5 percent thought she looks like she’s trying to be cool.

As you can see, some people are still attached to old stereotypes about what a girl or guy looks like if he or she carries a condom. In the end, however, staying safe and protected is more important than someone judging you for carrying a condom. You can also encourage others to carry condoms—you might inspire a condom revolution! Just remember the following:

• Store condoms in a cool dry place. That means wallets and back pockets are out.
• Avoid throwing them somewhere where they could get punctured by a pin or anything else, so backpacks and purses aren’t good ideas either.
• Safely carry condoms in a cool condom case or on a key chain.

The bottom line? While letting sex “just happen” may feel romantic, it doesn’t protect your health. You need to talk about using a condom before you even start getting sexual. When you talk openly about your expectations, both you and your partner understand that if you do have sex, protection is a must. You could ask your partner, “Hey, what’s your favorite condom brand?” or “Is there a drug store near your place to buy condoms…you know, just in case we decide we want to do that?”

When you talk about using condoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are saying you want to have sex. It just means that you place a strong value on avoiding pregnancy or STDs, or both! Remember, if suddenly you realize that sex doesn’t feel OK, you always have the right to say no, even at the last second. Partners need to respect the right of anyone at anytime to change his or her mind.

Here are a few tips from other teens on talking about condoms and safer sex with a partner:

“I’d simply ask, ‘You have protection right?’ If he said no, then I’d say, ‘No deal. No condom, no sex. But most importantly, no STDs.’ ”
—Kristen, 17

“When we’re kissing, I ask my boyfriend, ‘Hey, you have a condom right? Just in case?’ If he says no, then I let him know I’m going home early, so that we aren’t even tempted to go without!”
—Malik, 18

“My girlfriend buys condoms in bulk from a Web site, and I pay her back for half. That way we both know we have plenty of condoms, and we both pay for them. It works for us!”
—Drew, 19

Learn more about how to talk to your partner about using a condom.