Is it a device, or a garment?

[mistergoat]

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Comments

[entrochan]

Huh. My default, I think, would be use. But wear doesn't sound weird. There may be some strange context-dependent way where sometimes one sounds more natural than the other.

[chilimuffin]

hmm... I've said both, but I suspect I say "use" more often. Because I think on some level I view it as a tool rather than an item of clothing.

[arksnay]

Huh. I talk about condoms in at least two meetings every day and have hundreds of them in my office, and I still had to think about my answer. I say use, because I talk about condoms mostly with gender-mixed groups, some of whom are using condoms without wearing 'em.

[dancingwolfgrrl]

Yeah, I say "use," but I think that's because I am most likely to discuss condom deployment in terms of my own relationships, where I am not wearing them.* "Wear" sounds a little weird to me, and moreso if used to describe what one is doing during actual penetrative sex, but maybe that's just me.

Also, politically speaking, I like the way that "use" is something both partners in a relationship do -- ie, women in an "opposite"-sex relationship have something to do with the latex situation.

Also also, I think my doctor and most studies say "use," which might be why it sounds more common to me. This might be just to reduce ambiguity ("53% of gay men wear condoms during sex")...or not.

*There are possibly some nuances to this, but they are not made for a public post.

[pandabwhite]

I agree - I say 'use' because I work with people who won't be wearing the condom, too. I think it makes it easier for everyone to relate to rather than just asking about wearing. It can make people feel more involved in the decision, too, i.e. 'did you use condoms' vs. 'did he wear one'.

[trinitysite]

"use," of course. "wear" just sounds funny. although I *think* I've said a sentence like, "and he wasn't wearing a condom" (in reference to someone much less responsible than I, of course.)

[fence007]

To be a voice crying in the wilderness, I think I'd say wear.
But...when I think about it, it does sound a little odd. I concur with wilfer.