We can all agree that partying is a lot of fun. Dancing with your friends, bingeing on cheesy pizza, making fun cocktails, dressing up, getting your flirt on and just having a great time. However, sometimes, parties can be dangerous to the extent of being life-threatening. A recent New Year’s Eve party in Mumbai has shaken us up and left us feeling angry, shocked and sad. It’s reminded us how unsafe parties can be, especially for women. So, we compiled a list of ways women can (and should) stay safe at parties because we need it now more than ever.
7 Ways Women Can Stay Safe At Parties
1. Always Be In A Group & Use A Buddy System
The saying, “There is safety in numbers” has never held more true. Never be alone at a party, no matter how small and intimate it is. Whether it’s going to the bathroom, getting a drink, stepping outside for a smoke or even going to your car, take somebody with you. Or better yet, go in a group. You can also use the buddy-system for the night and have a designated friend by your side throughout.
2. Make Your Own Drinks
This is something we’ve all been told from the moment we started going out without our parents. Always make your own drinks or get them yourself. Never leave your drink unattended either. It is extremely easy for someone to slip in a pill or even more alcohol into your glass and you won’t be able to tell the difference. This is scary and can lead to an extremely traumatic event after. If you’re drinking straight out of a can or bottle, make sure it’s opened in front of you or open it yourself. You need to be in total control of your drinks, food and literally anything else you consume.
3. Avoid Any & All Fights
Stay away from all and any arguments, fights, confrontations or even heated conversations at all costs, especially if there is alcohol involved. It takes a second for things to escalate and less than a second for something terrible to happen. Even if you’re right and the other person is wrong, please just walk away. Even if someone provokes you, just walk away. Also, never engage in a fight separated from the rest of the crowd. It’s safer to hash it out in front of everyone than away from them. But it should not even come to this because fighting, in any form, is a huge “NO” at a party!
4. Space Out Your Drinks & Know Your Alcohol Capacity
Personally, I only love drinking (a bit too much) when I’m with my girls at a sleepover because then I’m not constantly worried or even scared. At parties though, if I am drinking, I’ll space them out. When you’re out, make sure you know your alcohol capacity and stick to it. Blacking out definitely leads to a hangover but it may also lead to something more traumatic. Drink on a full stomach, keep munching and hydrating throughout and know when to stop.
5. Stay Sober In An Unknown Crowd
We cannot stress this enough. If you’re at a party where you barely know anyone, it is best to stay sober. Sip on an icy soda or a cola instead. This is not to say that the people at the party have bad intentions, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Carry A Small Snack In Your Bag
This is something I’ve been doing for a while and it’s my personal life-jacket. I always carry a nutrition bar in my bag. It helps me in three ways. It sobers me up if I feel like I’ve had too much, it is a great mid-drink snack and it prevents me from drinking more because I end up eating it instead of grabbing another glass. This may not be ideal for everyone, but I thought I’d mention it because it does help me at parties.
7. Trust Your Gut
This is the last and the most important of them all. Always trust your gut. Many times we walk into a room and the vibe is just off. You feel uncomfortable, but you don’t know why. If you feel something isn’t right, leave immediately. It doesn’t matter if you feel it at the start, middle or at even the very end, listen to it! It is never too late to leave a party and get out of an uncomfortable situation. Your gut instinct is stronger than you think, so pay attention to it.
Staying safe at a party is more important than having a great time. Unfortunately, we all know someone who has had a bad experience at a party and been traumatised by it. So, we hope you follow the above.
What safety practices do you follow at parties? Share it with us in the comments below!
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