The Single Girl’s Guide To One-Night Stands

It’s Saturday night and you’re at the club with your girls. You’re several shots gone, your dancing is all over the place and your vision is blurry, but you’re still able to spot the person that’s been staring at you from their table for the last couple of minutes. It’s dark and you can’t really tell if they’re cute or not but you wave them over to your table anyway. As they get closer, you relax because it turns out they’re actually really good looking and they smell amazing. Even though you can barely hear a thing they’re saying, you like the sound of their voice so you give the perfunctory laugh here and there. Soon enough, you’re dancing together, their hands are on your waist and your hands are on the back of their head. It feels like you two are the only ones in the club and you can’t help but wonder what it would be like to hook up with them at the end of the night.

One-night stands have always had a bad rap and it’s easy to see why. They’re risky but thrilling; casual, but fun. One-night stands can either be easily forgettable or very memorable but you’ll never know until the night is over. People love to roll the dice and that’s why almost everyone you know has had one, or two, or several. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re considering having a one night stand, here are a few helpful tips to consider.

Read: The Single Girl Diaries: The Time I Got A Yeast Infection After A One Night Stand

Going home with a total stranger is extremely dangerous. It’s best to take the person you’re hooking up with to your place so that you’re comfortable and safe. A lot of things could possibly go wrong if you go home with someone you just met so it’s best to avoid it. If taking the person home is not an option for you then consider meeting up in a neutral place, like a hotel of your choice or maybe even a public bathroom (trust me, it’s a lot more fun that it sounds).

If having a one-night stand is not a decision you’d make sober then it’s not a decision to make when you’re drunk. In the moment, it might feel like something you want to do but you don’t want to wake up the following day filled with regret. Don’t take for granted how much alcohol can impair your judgement, just like you wouldn’t drive when you’re drunk, you shouldn’t have a one night-stand when you’re drunk either.

Most importantly, don’t forget to use protection! The last thing you’d want is to get an STI or end up with an unwanted pregnancy. If your partner is ambivalent about using protection, that’s a clear sign you shouldn’t be having sex with them. Safe sex is great sex. Protecting yourself is always the best decision to make, don’t let anyone shame you into thinking it isn’t.

And finally, enjoy yourself! The best part of one-night stands is the sex part, and it should be consensual and enjoyable. Don’t. fake. anything. You’re not seeing them again anyway so why would you? Communicate your preferences, guide your partner where necessary then relax and enjoy the ride 😉