Walk of shame

"The girl was fair who went upstairs with her favourite KOK. She knocked around and came back down, and now she takes the walk. The walk of shame; she's not to blame. Who could resist the KOK? The walk of shame: she found her fame. And now she takes the walk!"

The above quote is taken from the movie "Sorority Boys" (and if you haven't seen it, DO watch it...it's brilliant. Watch the chant at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx6xJkYJKiM&feature=related). The boys in the fraternity line up in the corridors and chant this as girls leave the boys' rooms in the morning. KOK is the name of the fraternity and yes, it's pronounced 'cock'. Giggle and get over it. :P

Now I know I'm going to come across as relatively preach-y here, but I found myself wondering this evening: when did it become OK - or even something to be proud of - to have to perform a walk of shame? Back in my gran's era, it would have been considered incredibly scandalous to be leaving a boy's bedroom in the early hours of the morning. But somehow, women's lib seems to have given us the right to act like complete sluts and proudly proclaim that we're just asserting our womanhood. As one girl puts it, "It's not a walk of shame, it's a stride of pride!"

Those of you who know me will realise that I'm not being self-righteous here (mom, if you're reading this you might want to stop here), because I've also had those early morning walks down the hill (or up the hill, depending on the guy's res). If you're returning from your boyfriend's place, then yes it's a different matter. We're adults now - technically, anyway - and staying over with your significant other is normal. One friend of mine was returning from her boyfriend's res in the morning and had some older women giving her judgemental looks. She claims she was tempted to yell at them, "He's my boyfriend, it's OK!"

But when exactly does it become OK? It seems to have become acceptable to go out, get drunk, hook up with a random guy and wake up topless in his bed the next morning. Surely that's something we should be embarassed about, not proud of? For the record - and to protect my reputation - I want it noted that I have never ever had a one-night stand (i.e. had sex with a random guy). But I know many girls who do, and it worries me that it's become normality. Yes we all know that guys have a reputation for being sex fiends and that for them to have one-night stands is considered in today's society to be OK. "So why shouldn't we have them too?" girls clamour.

Perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. Why is it then OK for guys to have one-night stands and not girls? Why is it OK for guys to have one-night stands at all? It's a modern society, very few people allow their religions to restrict their sex lives, we're grown-ups now, blah blah blah. These are terrible excuses. The question you should be asking yourself is "Why do I do it?" Because in the end, girls, if you go home with a guy on the night that you met him then he's not going to respect you in the morning. And guys, if you take a drunk girl home on the night you met her then she's not going to have anything good to say about you to her friends. I do understand that there are exceptions to this rule (the Samantha Jones-type girls of the world) and if you're happy with a fast f*ck (excuse the language, but that's what it is) then go for it. But don't feel pressured into going home with a guy because all your friends are doing it/he promises to 'respect you in the morning'/he wants to watch a 'movie' with you. Maybe some guys really do want to watch a movie, but not the ones in my experience. Speaking of experience, if he unexpectedly pounces on you during the movie and tries to get his hand up your shirt, kick him. Hard. It works, trust me.

So now I'd like to issue a challenge to all of my readers and followers. Yes, all 7 of you. :P for one month next year, make it your goal not to have random naps with anyone. It sounds simple, but when the alcohol is flowing and he's a really good kisser, it's hard to say no. Try it. I dare you. Girls, if he likes you then he'll hang around regardless of whether you'll stay over or not (as my current boy did). Guys, she'll love you for it and rumours will go around about what a gentleman you are, resulting in hordes of girls chasing after you. So sidestep the walk of shame/stride of pride for one month. Consider it a dare.