One nights stand: The dos and don'ts
One night stands haven't got the best reputation. But we're not convinced that they're quite as bad as some people think.
A one night stand can be fun - it's your chance to go wild for a night.
And if you want to sleep with a sexy stranger you've met on a night out, then why not? Guys don't get nearly as much stick for it as us ladies.
Now don't get us wrong, we're not suggesting you hop into bed with any hot guy you meet on the dance floor.
And yes, you have to be safe (we've got plenty of parent-style keeping safe tips to come, don't you worry).
But these days one night stands are pretty commonplace - and can be a lot of fun, as long as you follow these simple rules.
Do be safe
We told you we were going to go all mum and dad on you, so let's get it out of the way, then we can tell you how you should act in bed and what time you should leave the morning after a one night stand.
If this guy is a total stranger, you should be wary of going home with them, even if they promise you that they're very trustworthy and have fresh John Lewis sheets on their bed.
Make sure your friends know where you have gone and keep in touch with them.
Do go wild
The great thing about a one night stand is that you probably won't see the person again, so you can be as wild as you like in the bedroom.
Is there something you've always wanted to try but been too embarrassed to ask a boyfriend? Now you can try it!
Uninhibited sex can be liberating. But remember, just because you can go wild, doesn't mean you have to.
If he asks you to do something you don't fancy, you know what they say...just say no!
Don't be too gushy
We've been sharing a lot of one night stand stories here in the sofeminine office. They're not all ours, of course. Many are from friends, and friends of friends.
It seems that a common mistake that many people make - boys and girls - on a one night stand, is either being a little over-gushy or thinking too much about an ex.
Comments like "Oh Dan" when the guy is called Alex, "Let's spend the weekend together" and even the dreaded "I love you" have all been uttered mid sesh.
Chances are, you'll be a little bit tipsy, so just remember to think before you speak if you want to save embarrassment.
Don't take photos
We've heard of people doing it before on one night stands, and it can be fun. But if you ask us, taking photos or filming you and your new lover on a one night stand is a big no no.
If you've just met this person, you have no idea what they're going to do with the pictures. Chances are they'll keep them for some private viewing, but you never know!
If it's someone you do know, you're still not safe - it's going to be a lot easier for those photos to accidently get into the hands of people you don't want.
Do be resourceful in the morning
So you wake up in the morning and you're not in your bed. Your in his bed, and you haven't got any of your essentials. No toothbrush, no hairbrush, no make up wipes, let alone make up.
But don't worry, there are some nifty tricks you can use. First, there's the classic 'toothpaste on your finger' trick. Yeah, it's not ideal but you haven't got much of a choice here.
Next, wipe away the make up that has crawled down your face at night with some tissue and soap, but leave on the make up that's still around your eyes, you'll be surprised by how OK that looks.
For your hair, get out that hair tie. It's the only solution.
Of course, it doesn't really matter what you look like and we're sure you look stunning when you wake up from a drunken slumber anyway, but this might boost your morning confidence a little bit more.
Do leave early
It's a top tip that many people forget - don't hang around the next morning. No matter how hung over you are, if you don't want things with this guy to go further, there's no need to linger. It makes things awkward for both of you.
It's not always easy to get away in the morning, especially if he wants you to hang around, so we recommend making your excuses early. Maybe you have an aunt's birthday to go to, or an exercise class.
And when it comes to the journey home, we recommend just seeing the funny side of the situation you've found yourself in.
Chances are, you're going to be in an outfit that is clearly from the night before - few people wear short sequin dresses and five inch heels for a morning stroll.
Rather than be embarrassed, just laugh about it, it's something to remember! Then again, if you can sneak into a taxi we definitely recommend it.
Don't take his belongings home
Again, this is only if you want the one night stand to definitely be a one night stand - don't take any of his belongings home.
It can be tempting to borrow an item of clothing if you've not got much on. And that's fine is you're happy to return it if he really wants you to, but don't take anything if you really never want to speak to him again.
On that note, if you don't want to have to contact him again, don't leave anything precious behind. Got your watch, earrings, phone, keys? Double check!
Don't get hung up on it
So you've got home and you're suddenly filled with regret. You wish you hadn't slept with that person, and you know they're not going to call.
The solution? We know it's easier said than done, but don't worry about it. Hopefully you were safe and had a bit of fun, so what's there to worry about?
If it really was terrible, see it as a lesson, you won't be doing that again!
Either way, we think it's best not to get too hung up on these things, what's done is done!
