Hook-ups and one night stands are pretty commonplace nowadays, but there's always that awkward moment in the morning after when you're not sure when or how to leave.
Although most British people have the universal way of leaving conversations by slapping their knees and saying 'right', before standing up, that's not as easy to do after sleeping with someone you potentially barely know.
The experience itself is (usually) worth it, so long as you've got some game in the bedroom, but it can often be marred by the less fun experience of leaving, or even worse, struggling to get the other person to leave.
While you might be tempted to treat your guest badly in the hopes that they might take the hint, a sexologist has now urged the opposite, even going as far as suggesting that you should give them a cup of coffee. Crazy, I know.
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Speaking to Metro, certified clinical sexologist and dating coach Myisha Battle said: "If it is casual, it’s commonly accepted that you don’t have to treat them nicely, but there’s a different approach if it’s part of a courtship ritual; we’re more willing to put in the effort to be respectful."
There's also a scientific reason why we should cosy up with the person on the other side of the bed, even if their performance wasn't up to scratch, as sex releases hormones such as oxytocin for bonding, dopamine for pleasure, and prolactin for relaxation.
The dating coach added: "People have this idea that there’s no benefit to those tender human moments after sex, like cuddling.
"It’s nice to linger in that space. It’s a temporary physiological state that doesn’t have to mean anything more than we just had a fun night together if you don’t want it to."
Battle also believes that 'hookups can turn into romances', thanks to two of her friends meeting their partners the same way.
She explained: "In my own friendship group, two people have fiancés from nightclub hookups, and so can personally attest to the benefits of getting to know the person a little in the morning.
"It’s not that cut and dry what people will become depending on how they started. People are limiting their opportunities for romance with a 'We’re done with sex. You’ve got to go' attitude."
Considering some folks go on dates purely so they can get people to fix things in their apartment, I fear humanity's hopes of building genuine connections with the people we sleep with may well be over.
But who knows, maybe if you buy a coffee for your next one night stand, you could end up married to them. Or you could just throw £6 down the drain, and never see them again.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Food And Drink
James Moorhouse