Fri, Jul 18 01:05 AM
Writing about Sex in the City can have its occupational hazards. At times, before I get the chance to explain the content of the column, I find perfect strangers proceeding to divulge their sex problems to me.
You're suffering from erectile dysfunction? Delightful. Thanks for sharing that.
You think you may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease? Fascinating. The words 'too', 'much' and 'information', spring to mind.
It can all get a little awkward. Especially after the said perfect strangers come to know that their impromptu sex doctor's appointment is missing that one vital ingredient: a sex doctor.
In recent years, no self-respecting Indian newspaper is complete without its own resident sexologist; available at the drop of a stethoscope to dispense sex-related advice to the general population. However small, large or extra large the issue, the sexologist has the answer.
In Delhi, where lovers' physical intimacy levels are monitored, levels of skin show rationed, and sex talk hushed, the educating role of the sex column pushes the envelope. The sexplicit nature of such columns, while not a bad thing, seems to contradict what is happening in the rest of society.
When an actress donning a bikini threatens to become the USP of a film, or when Shilpa Shetty faces obscenity charges for one kiss, the sex column can seemingly get away with saying anything. In the name of research, I perused the column of noted sexologist Dr Kavan Lakdawala in HT City.
In one sitting, he dispensed advice on a range of topics from premature ejaculation, pregnancy tests, a lowered sperm count and - my personal favourite - does unprotected sex lead to weight loss(!?) The questions range from the bizarre, to the surreal, to the comic. It made me think, why do we take pleasure in reading such columns? What do we find in them that draws us back time and time again? Education? Reassurance? Rumour ? Voyeurism? Sex kicks? Who are thse people? A Delhi sex column had queries from Ahmed H, Okhla; Rajesh S, Vikas Puri; Mrs Khanna, Malviya Nagar.
Are these people genuine patients, or do they just write in to get kicks? I don't suppose it matters, really. Any place that offers a platform to discuss sex is a good thing, and there wouldn't be such an overflow of sex columns if the demand wasn't there.
Actually, being a sex doctor sounds quite interesting. I've officially decided that when I grow up, I want to be a sexologist.
If you are young, have a hectic social life where you drink and party, and have applied for a job, chances are you will lose out to someone who is a teetotaler.
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