August 19, 2013

• Vacation Temptation

  
  I spent the past week roadtripping from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. Along the way, I saw several attractive young women, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t check them out. But, being in a committed monogamous relationship, I didn’t approach any of them. If I was single, though, that may not have been the case. Maybe, just maybe, I would have tried for a vacation hookup.

  I’ve actually never been on the prowl while I’ve been on vacation. For the past five or so years, I’ve vacationed with my fiancée, and before that, I left boyfriends at home while I traveled with my parents or friends. But finding someone to hook up with at the beach (or wherever else) can’t be that hard, right? And it’s totally harmless… right? 

  Here’s a charming little story about a vacation hookup gone wrong. My friend’s cousin (let’s call her Kate) was vacationing at the beach, and one night, she went clubbing with friends. After having a few drinks, she saw a handsome guy from across the room, and they gravitated toward each other on the dance floor. They started dancing together, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Before long, they were swapping saliva with abandon.  

  After a few hours of grinding and making out, the guy asked Kate if she would like to go home with him. She accepted his offer immediately, and found her friends to tell them what was going on. Her friends, who were not quite as drunk on vodka and infatuation, advised her to decline his invitation. “Just get his number,” one said, “and give him a call tomorrow.” Kate still wanted to go, but after minutes of persuading, she took her friends’ advice. 

  The next day, Kate woke up with a horrible rash all around her mouth. She hoped that it was a bad case of beard burn, but she knew better. Worried and scared, she went to the ER to find out what was wrong. After a thorough examination, a doctor emerged with horrifying news. “The rash you have can only come from one thing: contact with cadavers.” (At this point in the story, I thought the punchline was going to be that the guy was a zombie.) Kate handed over the guy’s phone number, and after the police searched his apartment, they found the bodies of three missing women. Gross.  

  When my friend told me this story a few years ago, I actually believed it. But after some internet searching, I learned that this is just a popular urban legend, and a lot of people apparently have a naïve, flirtatious cousin named Kate. Still, the topic of vacation hookups is relevant. They happen every night, in every tourist-laden town. They may be nothing more than a one-night stand, or they may grow into a full-blown relationship. 

  So, if I was single on vacation, would I look for a hookup? Probably not. I would flirt, dance, and maybe even make out, but until I knew the person better, I wouldn’t go all the way. Vacation hookups, like all other encounters with strangers, are potentially dangerous – and I’m not trying to be the next Kate. 

  Have you ever hooked up with someone while you were on vacation? Was it just a one-night stand, or did it grow into something more? Is there anything wrong with vacation hookups? Do you know any other (factual or fictional) vacation hookup stories?

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