Life
In this on-demand, technology-obsessed era, no-strings-attached sex seems easier to come by than ever. As you can probably imagine — or may know from personal experience — location is everything. Theoretically, you can hook up with a soon-to-be one-night stand anywhere, but according to Saucy Dates, a casual dating site, some locations are more popular than others, as far as the meeting location is concerned. In a recent survey of over 10,000 of their members, the found the best places to find a one-night stand.
"I think people like the idea of a one-night stand, as you can be more experimental and adventurous," David Minns, Founder of Saucy Dates, tells Bustle. "Additionally, many responders commented that they liked the excitement of someone new. If it doesn't work out, then nothing is lost — if it does, you have some experiences you can carry forward to a future relationship."
Rachel Needle, Psy.D., licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist in West Palm Beach, FL, says there are definitely benefits of a one-night stand. "It can be liberating and stress-free to have sex with someone with no expectations for where the relationship is going or what the emotional impact having sex will have on you or your partner," she tells Bustle. "Additionally, there are no expectations as far as performance goes, and this allows us to be more sexually free and take the pressure off that we often put on ourselves during sex. Also, one-night stands can serve as a great ego boost. It feels good to be able to have someone want to have sex with you solely based on your looks, charm, and the skills you have that night."
But it's also important to be safe when it comes to casual sex, whether you're having sex with someone just once or hooking up with a friend with benefits. "It is important that both parties are not drunk and are, therefore, able to consent and communicate about the hookup," Dr. Needle says. "In addition, remember to protect yourself as much as possible from STIs (sexually transmitted infections) by using protection in every step of the 'hookup.'"
So without further ado, here are the top 10 venues to find a one-night stand, according to Saucy Dates' findings.
1
On The Street: 15%
Fifteen percent of respondents reported meeting their one-night stands on the street. Who knew?! This will definitely make you think twice the next time you take a walk, right?
2
Bar & Party: 14% (Tie)
Yep, the good-old standard, a bar, made second place with 14 percent of respondents. It tied with "a party" for where to meet a one-night stand. I guess the two are similar: You're out with friends (or not), you're drinking (or not), and there are plenty of eligible men and women in your vicinity.
3
Hotel: 11%
If you find yourself at a hotel — perhaps for a casual drink or perhaps as part of a business trip — casual sex may be in the picture, too. Eleven percent of respondents said hotels were a good place to find a one-night stand. Now you know!
4
Nightclub: 9%
Nine percent of those surveyed said nightclubs are good places to pick people up for a night of sex. When you think about it, it makes sense, since you may already be in close contact with strangers while dancing with them.
5
Wedding: 8%
Have you ever gone to a wedding alone? If so, were you seated at the singles' table? Eight percent of Saucy Dates respondents said weddings are great venues to find a one-night stand. After all, romance is in the air (as well as an open bar!).
Need proof? A friend of mine had a one-night stand at a wedding, and he and the woman ended up dating for three years. So not all one-night stands end at one night!
6
Public Transportation: 7%
Next time you're on the train or bus, look around: Your next one-night stand could be sitting right behind you. Seven percent of those surveyed said public transportation makes for a good place to find a one-night stand. Maybe the thought of this will make your morning commute more enjoyable.
7
Gym & Museum: 5% (Tie)
You may know people who go to the gym not to work out, but to pick people up. Well, they're not alone. Saucy Dates found that five percent of people use the gym, as well as museums, for more than the free weights or art exhibits.
8
Through A Neighbor: 4%
Neighbors make for an easy way to meet new people, including one-night stands. Four percent of respondents said so, and it's not surprising. Plus, you already have mutual friends, which means you may trust that your soon-to-be one-night stand is a legit person you have a built-in level of comfort with versus a total stranger.
9
At A Store: 3%
The next time you're shopping, you may be shopping for more than food or clothes. You may be asking someone's advice about fruit or a sale item one minute, and then find yourself at their apartment the next. Three percent of people said they found one-night stands this way. Who knew talking about tomatoes (or some other seemingly benign thing) could lead to so much more?
10
Concert & Online Dating: 2% (Tie)
Concerts and online dating (dating apps and sites) came in 10th place as venues to find a one-night stand, with two percent of respondents choosing them. Is anyone else in shock about dating apps and sites coming in 10th place? Wow.
Overall, did any of the locations to find a one-night stand surprise you? "The two biggest venue shocks had to be online dating and the street," Minns says of the findings. "The image that dating apps and sites have generated a hookup culture doesn't seem to fit in our findings — longer-term casual relationships appear to be the norm, which can then develop further. Also, the street coming out as number one was a total surprise. But, in reflection, it seems to make perfect sense. Maybe we will see more people trying this technique."
I'm curious, too, if more people will try to pick up more one-night stands on the street. In any case, the above definitely makes you think twice about some of the one-night stand meeting locations, that's for sure!
