2010 Spring Break Survival Guide
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Awesome Applesauce: Charles Quevedo
It's spring time in 2010 and you know what that means to all you college kids... "SPRING BREAK"!
When it comes to Spring Break, the rule book on common sense is often thrown out. People on Spring Break do things they normally wouldn't do in their normal lives (entering wet T-shirt contests, engaging in binge drinking, having sexual adventures with strangers, etc.). Whether you're jet-setting off to Cancun, Acapulco, Panama City, South Padre Island, Miami, South Beach, Bahamas, Jamaica, Ibiza or where ever; the "Talk Nerdy To Me Lover" staff would like to provide you with some simple tips to keep you safe and out of trouble (or at least, "less trouble"):
1) Don't wander off alone. Stay in groups of friends. Pick a friend out of that group to watch your back and keep you from doing anything stupid. Keep a cell phone or a two-way radio handy so that you can constantly keep in contact with friends if you somehow get separated. Ladies, if you meet a "new guy" who you enjoy talking to and wish to go to a nightclub/bar with, make sure that you invite your friends to tag along. Remember, the new guy that you meet over Spring Break is STILL a stranger to you... so, DON'T go off alone with someone you hardly know or just met (even if the guy has a nice smile, anaconda-like arms and six-pick abs). Remember what happened to "Natalie Holloway". Most important of all, trust your "gut instincts". If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable or gives you a bad vibe, there's usually a good reason for that (if necessary, make an excuse to part ways).
2) Don't leave your drinks unattended. Ladies, there's loads of "sexual predators" that go to nightclubs/bars and use them as their hunting grounds for naive young girls who aren't experienced in drinking alcohol. When you're NOT watching your drink, a scumbag will try to take the opportunity to slip "Rohypnol", "GHB" or some other kind of "date rape" drug. Date rape drugs are fast acting. They can make the victim act without inhibition, incapable of thinking or making appropriate decisions. Usually, the date rape drug can render the victim unconscious but responsive with little or no memory of what happens. Also, DON'T accept a drink from someone you hardly know.
3) Watch your drinking. Pace yourself. Binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting) can lead to "alcohol poisoning". Alcohol poisoning is high on the list of things to ruin a person's experience during Spring Break (spending a night in the hospital and getting your stomach pumped sucks). Also, you DON'T want to be that person hugging the toilet bowl and throwing up into it the rest of the night... or waking up in an alley the next morning with some strangers looking down at you. Booze can cloud your judgement. Take it easy and make smart choices. Make sure you eat food to absorb some of the alcohol. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (alcohol tends to dehydrate you), so keep a bottle of water (or Gatorade) with you.
4) Practice "safe sex". This is for BOTH male and females; if you do intend on having sex with a stranger, please use a "condom". There's a lot of STDs (Sexual Transmitted Diseases) that people unknowingly carry. Your sex partner of the night isn't going to have his/her medical records saying it's safe to engage in sexual activities. DON'T take his/her word for it. Unless he/she gives you a resume of his/her sexual activity (for the last few years), that person could pose a potential threat to your health later down the line. ALWAYS use a "condom". For you ladies, condoms will not only keep you safe from STDs, it will also keep you from having an unwanted pregnancy from some guy you hardly knew.
5) Carry the necessities. Make sure you carry your most important items (I.D., money, phone, computer) in your backpack (or purse). There have been reports of robberies by hotel employees that steal valuable or expensive items when the vacationer has been out of his/her room. DON'T leave your items unattended. I know it's a pain in the ass to be lugging your items around (especially when you're just wearing a bathing suit), but carry them in a small backpack and just think of it as a "survival kit" (you may need them later). Make sure you carry enough money (or your credit cards) in case there's some kind of financial emergencies you may find yourself in (finding yourself stranded with no money sucks). Also carry some snacks (protein bars, trail mix) and bottled water to keep your energy up.
6) Keep in contact with friends and family. Make sure your friends and family back home can get in contact with you by giving them basic information (your cell phone number, hotel name, hotel room number). DON'T be afraid to check in with them once in a while. It's also good to let them know who you're hanging out with on your Spring Break vacation (ladies... again, I remind you of "Natalie Holloway").
Okay, that's best tips we can give you on surviving Spring Break. Remember... have fun, make good decisions and stay safe.
Follow Charles on Twitter: @FuglyCharlie