So we all know my thoughts about London, right? I blinking love the place.
But despite all the beauty and the fun and the magnificence, it can be a dangerous place to be. And at times like New Year, when let’s face it we are all going to be drinking our little heads off, we all need to be a little bit more careful than normal.
Now, before you start worrying, I haven’t become a preacher and I’m not suggesting for a moment you shouldn’t have fun. I will certainly be having my fair share. But there are a few things you can think about to make sure you’re night goes as well as possible, and that you, your friends and your possessions are all tickety-boo come New Years Day.
- Pre-Book Taxis/Plan Your Tube Journey.
Don’t run the risk of hailing down an unlicensed cab. They are horrible things. Personally, I know people who have been over-charged, taken to the wrong places, dropped off in the middle of no-where, and sadly, people who have been sexually assaulted. On average, 11 women a month are abused in unlicensed taxis – and the shocking statistic is that nearly 80% of stranger rapes are committed by unlicensed cab drivers. That is a terrifying thought. It’s not hard to pre-plan your ride home really is it?!
- Protect Your Belongings
This could be something simple like making sure your bag is in the cloakroom. Simple maybe, but it could stop your phone, purse, cards or camera being stolen. If there is no cloakroom, make sure you don’t leave anything unattended, but also, make sure you have everything insured just in case it does go missing. Nothing worse than realising you just lost everything you owned and having to pay to replace everything at the start of the New Year.
- Protect Your Friends
I have, on more than one occasion, been known to get totally and utterly shit-faced. I’m not overly proud of this, but it’s happened, and luckily I’ve been OK…because I have awesome friends who make sure they replace the tequila with water and drop me off at my door. And I have done the same with them…many times. It’s what friends do. If you see someone you love getting a little bit wasted, keep an eye on them. They’re precious.
- Keep An Eye On Your Drinks
There are some douche-bags out there who like to take advantage of women. Worse still, there are scum-bags who will spike drinks in order to do so. If someone offers to buy you a drink please make sure you go with them to the bar, and don’t leave any drinks laying around. All to easy for them to slip something in while you’re chatting to friends and then hang around to take full advantage when the drugs take effect. Again, this is something that has happened to a friend of mine so I know it’s a very real risk. And holding onto your drink isn’t really that inconvenient is it?!
- If You Can’t Be Good, Be Careful!
It’s New Years Eve. Everyone is drinking, and kissing when the clock strikes midnight. Which means there are lot’s of people hooking up. And good luck to you…I hope the person you’re hooking up with is HOT. But unless you know everything about them, do me a favour and be a little be careful? Condoms are not expensive. You are not cheap if you have one in your bag. And Herpes is for life…not just for Christmas. Ewwww.
So that’s it. This Little Lady’s lecture is over! I really do hope you all have an amazing time, and that you all make it back here in 2011 to read more of our pearls of wisdom…
…Oh, and don’t forget to check out our events pages if you still haven’t planned your big (safe!) night out. We have all the best nights listed, with more being added all the time.
Happy New Year xxx
