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It’s New Year’s Eve. You arrive to a party with your closest friends, wearing your sparkly new dress, and feeling fabulous. You immediately size up the room, deciding who you’d like to lip lock with at midnight. Once you’ve found Mr. Midnight, you quickly position yourself next to him and spend the next few hours laughing, drinking and flirting it up. And, like clockwork, when the ball drops you two share a steamy kiss.
Fast forward 30 minutes. It’s now 12:30 am and Mr. Midnight is asking you to go somewhere with him for more “privacy.” Translation? “Let’s go have sex.” You now have a serious decision to make…to hook up, or not to hook up with this person you just met?
If this scenario sounds a little too familiar, that’s because almost half the population (45%) has had a one night stand at least once this past year (as of 2007). But how many were responsible about it? We’re guessing not everyone.
In light of this, we’re making this dilemma a little easier—and safer—for you this New Year’s Eve. We say, go for it, as long as the sex is consensual, mutual, and you stick to the following…
The 3 Commandments for Hooking Up On New Years Eve:
- Thou Shall Be Sober. It’s one thing to have a few glasses of champagne. It’s another thing to be so sloshed you can no longer stand up. Being hammered is no time to make sexual decisions, especially with someone you just met. Be smart and stay above the influence, or stay out of the sack.
- Thou Shall Recognize This Is Just a One Night Stand. If you’re going to hook up, you have to know it’s only a one-time fling (that’s why it’s called a one-night stand!). If you go into it thinking, “Aw, he’s so nice. I bet he’d make a really good dad someday…” then you definitely should not participate. Recognizing what the situation truly is/isn’t will save you both time and heartache.
- Thou Shall AT MINIMUM Use A Condom. Does this one even need an explanation? You just met this guy, remember? You don’t even know his last name, let alone his sexual history. Using a condom will not only protect you against pregnancy but will reduce your chances of contracting any sketchy STD he may have. And don’t expect him to always have one either. Make sure you have some with you in your purse. (Stop by any of our health centers for free Proper Attire condoms! They’re not only trustworthy, they’re downright trendy.)
That wasn’t such a bad list, was it? Have fun tonight. And remember the commandments! Happy New Year!
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
