The morning after

You know it was a good night, but the details are a little hazy. And who is that person in the bed next to you, anyway?

Talk, don't run

It may be tempting to grab your clothes and leg it, especially if your bed pal is still asleep, but if you've just spent the night with someone you met locally the chances are you're going to see them around. Far better to put on the kettle, wake them with a cuppa and be honest about the situation. Even if you can't remember their name, just say so. Don't wing it, or make excuses. Flag up the fact that you had a good time, but be clear that's where it ends (if that's where you want it to end).

Post-sex protection

One-night stands tend to be super-charged sexual chemistry sessions or sad, drunken fumbling sessions because you missed the last bus home. Hopefully you weren't so passion-crazed or pissed to forget about condoms, but if you did, or you just can't remember, it's important to consider your sexual health - and not just yours but the person you slept with. Unprotected sex carries an increase risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, so if in doubt get checked out - visit your local GP (doctor) or drop in at your local Brook Advisory Centre (call: 0800 0185023 for details). If you're on holiday you should be able to make an appointment at a local Family Planning Clinic or a doctor's surgery.

Shame management

Don't be a blabber-mouth. It's not clever and it may come back to haunt you one day. Avoid bragging about your one-night stand, or worse, dissing your short-term partner for poor performance. If it's a short-term holiday romance, the chances are that you're both more interested in a bit of fun than a long-term romance. Sex for its own sake is fine, just make it safe, and be absolutely clear about your intentions before diving into each other's pants.