by CHRIS BARRY

Age: 28

Bio: This sweet yet sultry delicate flower of a St-Henri resident had been hurting to work in a sex shop for years, so, last summer, upon learning that cooperatively-owned Venez Tels Quels would soon be opening a store in Montreal, Tamara seized the moment to effectively watch this dream come true. With an infinitely pragmatic BA in religious studies under her belt, when not describing the various ins and outs of anal plugs and things of that nature to her devoted, trusting clientele, Tamara organizes the truly wonderful sex workshops Venez Tels Quels is quickly becoming famous for.

A few workshops she's organized: Erotic Writing, Female Ejaculation, Sensual Massage, Maps of the Clitoris. "Some are really practical, where you get hands-on experience, while others, like the female ejaculation workshop, are with a speaker and demonstrations are given. I'm always looking for qualified people to teach the basics, like oral sex, anal play, anything that will benefit people and allow them the opportunity to explore sexuality in a warm and accepting space."

Do they do better business in the warm weather, when seemingly everywhere one turns they find themselves confronted/tormented by all the exceptionally titillating flesh Montreal has to offer? Yes. "People are definitely hornier when spring comes around, and yes, it helps the store a lot."

The male/female ratio of their customers: "Probably about 60 per cent female."

When she meets potential lovers for the first time do their eyes light up with excitement upon discovering what she does for a living? "Well, people think I'm going to have a lot of knowledge about sex, and, truth is, I've learned one hell of a lot working here. In the end though, it's really all about communicating with your partner, not if you know where to find the male G-spot."

Will she be participating in the big Venez Tels Quels charity Masturbate-A-Thon going down this month? Absolutely.

Is she gonna win it all this year? "Ooh, I don't know. One year Josey Vogels participated and did it for eight hours. Eight hours! I'm hoping to do… ah, I don't know, I just want to enjoy myself. I don't know if anyone can masturbate more than Josey. But who knows, maybe a new record will be set this year."

Their return policy vis-à-vis masturbation devices: No returns.

Have they not considered there might well be a dedicated market for previously-owned vibrators - so long as they haven't been washed? "Um, no, we haven't."

Something the store is very proud of: That every product line they sell has been tried out by at least one staff member. "If we don't like it, we won't sell it. And yes, testing is a very popular duty around here."

Where she hangs: At any number of cafés along the "coffee strip" on St-Viateur.

Something else she does: Produces segments for Labour Radio on CKUT.

Words of wisdom: "Do everything a lot slower. Living your life, making love, everything, do it slower."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca