Yeah, them sticks. I have experienced them on my tongue. Wasn't too painful since the force with which they clamp down can be perfectly adjusted and pain wasn't the objective. However, it was totally annoying to drool all over myself.
That being said: The most evil device I've ever felt was a rubber band. I wouldn't have thought that something so simple could be so hellishly painful. I was even dumb enough to laugh when he approached me with that in hand. Big mistake.
Mwahaha, good joke.
I've recently seen a feature about the pill after where a 20 years old woman didn't know what a menstrual cycle is. So, no, not amazed, let alone surprised, about that, either.