How to...Have a One-Night Stand

Just because you're never going to see someone again, doesn't mean you can treat them unkindly. Because if today we're rude to our one-night stands, tomorrow we'll stop holding elevators for strangers in a hurry, and by the weekend we'll be answering our cellphones in church. So here are ten good rules to follow:

1. Always lay your cards on the table before the strip poker begins--we like to call this the "pre-nook." Confirm that your date for the evening has no delusions of grandeur about a future together. Too many people out there--including, yes, some men--think that when you sleep with them, it means you care. The responsible cad or cadette weeds these persons out of the mix by being up front about his or her intentions.*

2. That said, it's just plain rude to beat off a dead horse. Let's say you have a one-night stand and the conversation is stimulating and the sex even more so. Let's say your bedmate suggests doing it again sometime as they head for the door. It would be a bit of a slap in the face to begin hyperventilating and gasp, between breaths, "I...am...not...looking...for...a relationship." Plus, they might make a good booty call!

3. Conversation should be kept light anRead more >>d airy; avoid the subjects of life goals and family dysfunction. Read more >>