Many bad things are said these days about New Year's Eve. We always assumed it was going to be The Best Night Out Ever, when it usually just ended up being an expensive disappointment, so now many sensible people tend to realise they should probably rein it in a bit. All well and good, but has anyone ever mentioned the hidden dangers of NYE when you're single?
There are always warnings from friends about spending lots attending a big event which will never live up to expectations. There are warnings from your parents about the cost of tickets, outfit, transport, food and drinks for this gigantic night out, because they've probably felt the pinch after a few New Year parties themselves. There are warnings from the police about drinking so much you can't remember your own name and then getting into a dodgy unlicensed minicab.
All sensible advice and most certainly not to be sniffed at. However, everyone knows about those dangers - the expectations, the hideous cost and the perils of binge drinking. But there is one other thing you should beware. When it gets to midnight, and you're happily kissing everyone you know, just remember they might be taking things a little bit more seriously than you are.
It's easy to assume that everyone else is just thinking "this year's gonna be awesome - here, have a snog!" when in actual fact they're wondering whether or not you're as obsessed with them as they are with you. To you and me, a kiss to bring in the new year can simply be a matter of having fun, but to others it can sometimes represent months f waiting for the right moment.
Take the time I got pounced on and ended up in a doomed relationship - which crashed and burned right before my final year exams at university - mostly because he seemed nice and I was too polite to say no. Or the time a friend of mine had her NYE friendliness rewarded with a year of online stalking and insistent text messaging. Even when she gave him a flat out "no", he still continued to chat like they were best buddies.
My main tip for avoiding these hidden dangers of New Year's Eve is to only give out additional contact details whilst sober. If they can contact you via Facebook, let them do that. A phone number should only be given out to potential suitors without the hazy blur of booze to cloud your judgement. You may think that those digits will shut him up, but what if he's incredibly persistent? Be blunt - just say that you don't give out your number unless 100% sober. No one could be offended at that, right?
Of course, sometimes it all works out fine. Occasionally you hook up with someone on NYE after you've both been lusting after each other for months and it all turns out perfectly. This New Year's Eve I shall be celebrating my 13th anniversary and reminding myself that wonderful things can sometimes happen when you're simply partying to celebrate the earth making it round the sun one more time. Here's to 2012!
Lori Smith is a blogger, feminist and BitchBuzz's Sex & Relationships columnist. She recommends hosting or attending a house party for truly awesome NYE fun.
Image © Lori Smith.