No Commitment Fun in Kwinana: The Real Lowdown on Casual Dating, Venues, and Everything In Between
So, you’re in Kwinana — or maybe just passing through — and the idea of something casual, something with absolutely no strings attached, is on your mind. You’re not alone. And honestly, the scene here? It’s not what most people expect. Forget what you’ve heard about sleepy suburbs. Kwinana’s got a pulse. But finding no-commitment fun requires knowing where to look, how to talk, and — here’s the kicker — understanding what’s actually legal. Let’s get into it.
Can you find casual, no-commitment dating in Kwinana? Yes, absolutely. But the real question is whether you can find it without wasting time, without awkward conversations, and without stepping over legal lines. The short answer: know the venues, know the apps, and for the love of everything, know the difference between paid services and genuine mutual attraction. This guide covers all of it — from bars that actually work for meeting people to the legal realities of escort services in WA. Plus, I’ve dug up what’s happening in and around Kwinana over the next couple of months. Because honestly, nothing beats real-life chemistry.
Here’s what nobody tells you: the casual dating game in Kwinana is heavily influenced by the fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) culture. People come and go. Schedules are unpredictable. And that weirdly works in favor of no-commitment arrangements. No one expects a relationship when half the town is on a two-week swing. But — and this is important — that same transient vibe means you need to be crystal clear about intentions from the start. Ambiguity? That’s how feelings get hurt.
1. Does Kwinana Actually Have a Casual Dating Scene Worth Exploring?
Yes, but it’s not obvious from the outside. Kwinana’s nightlife is concentrated in a handful of key venues, and the casual dating scene operates mostly through a mix of local bars, dating apps, and word-of-mouth. The FIFO workforce creates a naturally transient population, which lowers expectations for long-term commitment.
Look, I’ll be straight with you. Kwinana isn’t Perth. You won’t find dozens of nightclubs or dedicated singles bars. But what it lacks in quantity, it sort of makes up for in quality — if you know where to go. The casual dating scene here is real, but it’s underground in a way. People aren’t walking around with badges saying “I’m DTF.” You need to read the room.
The Mediterean Bar & Grill on Rockingham Road? That’s a starting point. It’s not trying to be anything fancy. Decent crowd, mixed ages, and the vibe is relaxed enough that striking up a conversation doesn’t feel forced. I’ve seen people connect there more naturally than in some overhyped Perth clubs. Maybe it’s the lighting. Maybe it’s the wine. Who knows.
But here’s what I’ve noticed after spending way too many nights observing this stuff: the casual scene in Kwinana is seasonal. Summer brings more people out, obviously. But winter? Things get quieter. People stay home, swipe more, meet up less. So if you’re looking for real-world connections, plan your moves between November and March. That’s when the energy shifts.
And let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the FIFO factor. Roughly a third of the people you’ll meet in Kwinana pubs on any given Thursday are either heading to a site in two days or just got back. That creates this weird, almost liberating dynamic. Nobody’s looking for a wedding ring. But it also means you need to be upfront. Don’t hint. Don’t imply. Say what you’re looking for within the first few messages or the first hour of conversation. The FIFO crowd appreciates directness. They don’t have time for games.
One more thing — and this might sound counterintuitive — the best casual connections I’ve seen in Kwinana didn’t start at bars. They started at events. Community stuff. Markets. Even the local sports club fundraisers. Why? Because the pressure’s off. You’re not in “hunting mode.” You’re just being a person. And somehow, that authenticity makes the eventual “hey, no commitments” conversation way easier. Go figure.
2. What Are the Best Bars and Venues for Casual Hookups in Kwinana Right Now?
The Hilton Garden Inn’s bar and the Gate Bar & Bistro are currently the top spots. Both attract a mix of FIFO workers, traveling professionals, and locals looking for low-pressure socializing. The Gate has a more laid-back pub feel, while the Hilton offers slightly more upscale surroundings.
Let me break this down based on actual experience, not just what looks good on Google Maps. The Hilton Garden Inn on Baker Street? Yeah, that place gets busy. Not crazy busy, but consistently busy enough that you won’t feel like everyone’s watching your every move. The bar area is spacious, the staff don’t rush you, and there’s something about hotel bars that just screams “temporary.” Which, let’s be honest, is exactly the vibe you want for no-commitment stuff. People staying there are often in town for a few nights. They’re not looking for a relationship. They’re looking for company. That’s a big difference.
Now the Gate Bar & Bistro on Gilmore Avenue? Different energy. More local. More rough around the edges. But honestly? I kinda prefer it. The drinks are cheaper, the conversations are louder, and nobody’s pretending to be something they’re not. I’ve watched people go from “never met before” to “leaving together” in under two hours at the Gate. It happens. The key is the pool tables. Something about playing pool breaks down barriers. You’re standing close, you’re trash-talking a little, you’re laughing. Next thing you know, you’re exchanging numbers. Or skipping that step entirely.
But here’s something most guides won’t tell you: timing matters more than venue. Show up at 9 PM on a Friday and you’ll find cliques of people who already know each other. Hard to break into. Show up at 6:30 PM on a Thursday? Completely different crowd. That’s when the after-work people roll in. They’re looser, more open, more likely to talk to strangers. The FIFO crews heading out on Sunday night swings also tend to hit the pubs on Thursday evenings. That’s your sweet spot — Thursday from 6 PM to 9 PM. Try it. You’ll see what I mean.
Also, don’t sleep on the local sports and rec clubs. The Kwinana Club on Mekong Way isn’t just for members. It’s got a bar, it’s got events, and it’s got people who aren’t glued to their phones. Something about the slightly older demographic (think late 20s to early 40s) means less game-playing. People say what they want. Refreshing, honestly.
One venue I’m not including? The casino in nearby Cannington. Too far, too expensive, too many tourists. You’ll waste half your night just getting there. Stick to Kwinana proper or Rockingham at most. The travel time kills the spontaneity.
3. How Do Online Dating Apps Work for No-Commitment Stuff in Kwinana?
Pretty well, but you need to be strategic about which apps you use and how you present yourself. Tinder and Bumble dominate the local market, but Hinge has been gaining ground among people seeking something clearer upfront. The small population means you’ll see the same faces repeatedly, so don’t be a jerk.
Okay, let’s get real about app life in Kwinana. The dating pool here isn’t massive. If you’ve swiped through Perth’s eastern suburbs, you know what I mean. In Kwinana, you’ll recognize profiles from three different apps. That’s just how it is. So the golden rule? Don’t burn bridges. Don’t ghost people you might run into at the IGA next Tuesday. Word travels fast in smaller communities.
Tinder is still the workhorse for casual stuff. No surprise there. But here’s the nuance — people in Kwinana are more direct on Tinder than their Perth counterparts. Maybe it’s the FIFO influence again. Maybe it’s just that nobody has time for endless messaging. Either way, if your profile says “something casual,” people actually read that and respond accordingly. Put it in your bio. Don’t hide it. You’ll get fewer matches, but the matches you get will actually want what you want.
Bumble is interesting. Women message first, which changes the dynamic. In my experience, Bumble in Kwinana skews slightly more relationship-oriented, but there’s still a solid casual segment. The difference is the conversation quality. On Bumble, when someone says they’re up for no-commitment, they usually mean it. Less time-wasting.
Hinge though. Hinge is the wildcard. The app’s whole “designed to be deleted” thing suggests relationships, but in practice? I’ve seen more clear, upfront “here’s what I’m looking for” conversations on Hinge than anywhere else. The prompts force people to reveal something about themselves. That actually helps with casual stuff because you can screen for compatibility faster. If someone’s prompt says “looking for my person,” swipe left. If it says “figuring it out” or “something fun,” that’s your green light.
But here’s my real advice — and this comes from watching dozens of friends and acquaintances navigate this — don’t rely solely on apps in Kwinana. Use them as a supplement. The return on investment for app time here is lower than in a big city. You’ll swipe through most of the available people within a week. Then what? Then you need real-world venues. That’s why I keep coming back to the bars and events. Apps start the conversation. Real life closes the deal.
One more app tip: expand your radius to include Rockingham and even parts of Cockburn. The extra 10-15 kilometers doubles your potential matches. Kwinana on its own is too small. Trust me on this. I’ve seen the math, and it’s not pretty.
4. What’s the Legal Situation With Escorts and Paid Companionship in Kwinana?
Private sex work between consenting adults is legal in Western Australia, but operating a brothel or publicly soliciting is not. Escorts can legally work independently work independently, and hiring,, them falls and hiring them falls and hiring them falls into a legal into a legal into a legal gray area gray area that’s gray area that’s that’s generally not prosecuted for generally not prosecuted for clients generally not prosecuted for clients clients. However. However. However, street, street, street solic solic solicitation,itation,itation, brothel operation, brothel operation, brothel operation, and living and living off earnings and living off earnings of sex of sex off earnings work remain work remain of sex work remain criminal criminal criminal offenses.
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This isThis is where thingsThis is where things get legally where things get legally get legally messy messy. I messy. I. I’m not’m not a lawyer’m not a lawyer a lawyer, and honestly, and honestly, the, and honestly, the, the laws in laws in WA are laws in WA are outdated and WA are outdated and confusing. But here outdated and confusing. But here confusing. But here’s what’s’s what’s’s what’s actually enforced actually enforced actually enforced versus versus versus what’s what’s what’s on the on the on the books. Private books. Private books. Private arrangements arrangements arrangements — you — you — you find someone online, you agree on a find someone online, you agree on a time find someone online, you agree on a time time and price and price and price, you, you, you meet somewhere private meet somewhere private meet somewhere private — that — that — that’s technically’s technically legal for’s technically legal for legal for the worker the worker the worker under under under current current current interpretations interpretations interpretations. The. The. The client? Also client? client? Also Also generally not prosecuted generally not prosecuted generally not prosecuted. The. The. The police in police in WA have police in WA have bigger priorities WA have bigger priorities.
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ButBut —But — and this is a — and this is a and this is a big but big but — any big but — any — any kind of organized kind of organized kind of organized premises premises premises, any, any kind, any kind kind of public of public solicitation of public solicitation solicitation, any, any kind of, any kind of kind of brothel brothel brothel operation operation operation? That? That? That’s illegal. You’ll see’s illegal. You’ll see “‘s illegal. You’ll see ” “massmassmassage”age”age” places places around places around around Kwin Kwin Kwinana andana andana and Rock Rock Rockingham thatingham thatingham that hint hint hint at more. Some at more of them. Some of them are at more. Some of them are legit. Some aren’t. The are legit. Some aren’t. The ones that legit. Some aren’t. The ones that aren’t operate in aren’t operate in ones that aren’t operate in constant fear of a police constant fear of constant fear of a police visit visit. And honestly? a police visit. And honestly?. And honestly? The quality The quality The quality and and safety at those places and safety at safety at those places those places are questionable at best.
If>If you’re you’re considering going considering going the paid the paid route are questionable at best.
If you’re considering going the paid route, route,, your safest your safest your safest bet bet bet is online platforms that connect independent is online platforms that connect independent is online platforms that connect independent escorts escorts with clients escorts with clients with clients. Websites. Websites. Websites like Esc like Esc like Escorts Nearorts Nearorts Near Me and Me and Me and Escortify list Escortify list Escort providers who providers whoify list providers who work work work in the in the in the Perth metropolitan area, including K Perth metropolitan area, including K Perth metropolitan area,winanawinana. These including Kwinana. These. These platforms platforms typically platforms typically typically include reviews include reviews, photos, and include reviews, photos, photos, and, and contact methods contact methods. contact methods. But. But But here’s here’s here’s my honest my honest my honest opinion: opinion: opinion: the the the verification verification verification on these sites on on these sites these sites varies wildly. Some profiles varies wildly. Some profiles varies wildly. Some profiles are real are real. Some are real. Some. Some are scams are scams are scams. Some. Some. Some are law are law enforcement st are law enforcement st enforcement stings lookingings lookingings looking for easy for easy for easy arrests on arrests on arrests on related related charges.
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I’veI’ve talked talked talked to people to people to people who’ve who’ve used these who’ve used these used these services in Kwin services in services inana. Kwinana. The Kwinana. The consensus The consensus? Be consensus? Be extremely careful. Ask? Be extremely careful. Ask for verification photos. Meet for verification photos. Meet in public extremely careful. Ask for verification photos. Meet in public first if in public first if possible. Never first if possible possible. Never. Never send money upfront send money upfront send money upfront. And for the love. And for the love of everything, understand that even if the. And for the love of everything, understand that even if the of everything, understand that even if the sex work sex work itself is sex work itself is in in a legal itself is in a legal a legal gray area gray area, things gray area, things, things like drug possession or like drug possession or like drug possession or driving driving driving under under under the influence the influence are the influence are not. are not. Don not. Don’t compound risks Don’t compound risks’t compound risks.
Also>Also worth>Also worth noting: worth noting: noting: the the the legal legal landscape might change. legal landscape might landscape might change. change. There There’s been There’s been’s been talk talk of reforming WA talk of reforming of reforming WA’s’s sex work WA’s sex work laws for sex work laws for laws for years. years. years. Nothing’s happened yet Nothing’s Nothing’s happened yet. But if and when happened yet. But if. But if it does and when it does and when it does,, the, the the entire escort scene entire escort entire escort scene in places scene in places in places like K like Kwinana like Kwinana will shiftwinana will shift will shift dramatically dramatically dramatically. Until. Until. Until then, then, then, operate with operate with operate with the understanding the understanding that you the understanding that you’re in that you’re in’re in a gray a gray a gray zone zone. Most zone. Most of the. Most of of the time, the time, time, if you’re if if you’re discreet and you’re discreet and respectful, discreet and respectful, respectful, nothing nothing nothing happens. happens. happens. But ” But ” But “mostmost of the time”most of the of the time” isn’t isn’t time” isn’t “all “all of “all of the time the time.”
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5. How Do I How Do I Stay Safe While Looking Stay Safe While Looking Stay Safe While Looking for for No for No-Com No-Com-Commitmitment Hookupsmitment Hookupsment Hookups in K in K in Kwinanawinana?
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> Let me be blunt.>Let me be blunt.>Let me be blunt. The casual The casual dating scene The casual dating scene — anywhere dating scene — anywhere, not — anywhere, not, not just K just K just Kwinanawinana — attractswinana — attracts — attracts some some some sketchy sketch sketchy people people. Mosty people. Most are. Most are fine. Most are fine. Most are just looking for fine. Most are just looking for are just looking for the same thing you the same thing you the same thing you are. are. But the are. But the But the ones who ones who aren’t ones who aren’t aren’t? They? They? They rely rely rely on you on you on you being being too being too polite or too polite or too eager polite or to say too eager too eager to say to say no. no. no. Don Don Don’t be’t be that person’t be that person that person.
Practical>Practical>Practical stuff stuff stuff first. The Hilton first. The Hilton Garden first. The Hilton Garden Inn is probably Garden Inn is probably Inn is probably the safest the safest the safest venue for venue for a venue for a first a first meet. first meet. meet. It It It’s well-lit, there’s well-lit,’s well-lit, are staff around there are staff there are staff around, and around, and, and it’s it’s it’s a hotel so a hotel so there’s a hotel so there’s there’s a certain a certain level a certain level level of security of security of security. The. The. The Gate Bar & B Gate Bar & B Gate Bar & Bistro isistro isistro is fine too, fine too, fine too, but it but it but it’s smaller’s smaller.’s smaller.. Easier for Easier for Easier for someone to someone to someone to get aggressive in get aggressive in get aggressive in a corner a corner where nobody a corner where where nobody’s watching nobody’s watching. Not’s watching. Not. Not saying it saying it happens often saying it happens often — happens often — it doesn — it doesn’t — it doesn’t — but be’t — but be but be aware.
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For theFor the love of love of everything, love of everything, everything, do do do not go not go not go straight to straight to straight to someone’s someone’s someone’s house or house or house or apartment without meeting apartment without meeting apartment without in in meeting public first public first in public first. I don. I don. I’t care’t care don’t care how good how good how good their photos are their photos are their photos are or how or how or how smooth smooth their smooth their their messages messages messages are. are. are. Predators use urgency as Predators use urgency as Predators use urgency as a tactic a tactic a tactic. “. “I. “II’m only’m only’m only free free tonight” free tonight” tonight” or or or “I “I “I don don’t really don’t really’t really go out go out go out much” much” are red much” are red flags disguised as preferences flags disguised as are red flags disguised as preferences. Meet preferences. Meet. Meet for for for a drink. Meet a drink. Meet a drink. Meet for coffee for coffee for coffee. If. If. If they they refuse they refuse to meet refuse to meet to meet in public in public in public, move, move on.
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Share your location withShare your location with your location with a friend a friend a friend. This. This is non. This is non is non-negot-negot-negotiable. Thereiable. Thereiable. There are apps are apps are apps for this — for this — for this — WhatsApp live WhatsApp live WhatsApp live location, location, location, Google Maps location sharing Google Maps location sharing, even Google Maps location sharing, even just sending a pin., even just sending a pin. just sending a pin. If you If you If you’re meeting’re meeting’re meeting someone new someone new someone new, someone, someone, someone you you only you only only know from know from know from an an an app, app, app, someone someone should know exactly someone should know exactly where you should know exactly where you are. where you are. are. And check And check And check in after in after. A in after. A. A simple ” simple ” simple “I’mI’mI’m home, all home, all good” home, all good” good” text saves text saves your text saves your your friends from friends from friends from worrying and worrying and creates worrying and creates a paper creates a paper trail if a paper trail if trail if something goes wrong something goes wrong.
Now>Now, about>Now, about, about STI STI STI prevention. prevention. I know prevention. I know I know,,, I know I know I know,,, it’s awkward to it’s awkward to it’s awkward to talk about talk about. But talk about. But. But the casual scene in the casual scene the casual scene in K Kwinana in Kwinana is active is activewinana is active enough enough enough that you that you that you’re not’re not the only’re not the only person the only person sleeping with person sleeping sleeping with the the with the people you’re people you’re people you’re sleeping with sleeping with. That sleeping with. That. That’s just’s just’s just math math. So use protection math. So use protection. Every. So use protection. Every time.. Every time. No time. No exceptions exceptions. And No exceptions. And. And get get get tested regularly tested regularly tested regularly. The sexual health clinic in Rockingham is. The sexual health clinic in Rockingham is. The sexual health clinic in Rockingham is free free free and and and confidential. confidential. confidential. There There There’s no’s no’s no excuse excuse excuse not not not to go.
One more thing>One more thing>One — and — and more thing — and this might this might this might sound sound paranoid sound paranoid paranoid, but I, but I, but I’ve seen’ve seen it happen’ve seen it happen it happen — watch — watch — watch your your drink at your drink at drink at all all all times. times. times. Even in Even in ” Even in “safe “safe” venuessafe” venues” venues. Even. Even. Even with with with people who people who people who seem nice seem nice. Drink seem nice. Drink. Drink spiking isn’t spiking spiking common in isn’t isn’t common in Kwin common in Kwin Kwinana, but itana, but it’s notana, but it’s not’s not unheard of unheard of unheard of either. either. either. If If If you leave you leave you leave your drink your drink unattended your drink unattended, get unattended, get, get a new a new a new one. If one. If someone one. If someone someone offers offers to buy you a drink and you offers to buy you a drink and you to buy you a drink and you don’t don’t see the don’t see the see the bartender bartender bartender make it make it make it, decline, decline politely., decline politely. You’re politely. You’re not being You’re not being not being rude. You rude. rude. You’re’re You’re being smart.
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Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
>Several concerts>Several concerts, festivalsSeveral concerts, festivals, and community, festivals, and, and events community events are scheduled community events are scheduled from from are scheduled from November 2024 November 2024 November 2024 through January through January through January 2025. 2025. The Summerstrong> The Summer Salt Festival The Summer Salt Festival Salt Festival in in Rockingham in Rockingham (December Rockingham (December 7 (December 7–8 7-88)) features live) features live music and features live music and music and beach activities. The Kwinana beach activities. The Kwinana Summer beach activities. The Kwinana Summer Summer Markets Markets Markets run run run weekly, weekly, weekly, and the Australia and the and the Australia Day celebrations Australia Day celebrations Day celebrations on January on January 26th on January 26th26th draw draw draw large crowds large crowds. These large crowds. These. These events create events create events create natural opportunities natural opportunities natural opportunities for casual for casual for casual connections.
> Here> HereHere’s the’s the thing about’s the thing about events — thing about events — events — they’re they’re better than apps they’re better than apps better than apps and and bars and bars bars combined for combined for combined for meeting people meeting people. meeting people. Why?. Why? Because you Why? Because you already have Because you already have something in already have something in something in common. common. common. You’re both at You’re You’re both at the same event. That the same event. That’s a both at the same event. That’s a’s a conversation starter conversation starter conversation starter right there. No awkward right there. right there. No awkward opening line No awkward opening line opening line needed needed needed. “Hey,. “Hey,. “Hey, have have have you been you been to you been to to this before?” works every this before?” works every this before?” works every time.
Thep> The Summer Salt Summer Salt> The Summer Salt Festival in Festival in Rockingham Festival in Rockingham Rockingham is is the is the big one the big one big one… December December December 7th and 8th,7th7th and 8th down at the and 8th, down, down at fores at the foreshore. the foreshore.hore. Live Live Live music, music, music, food trucks food trucks food trucks, beach, beach, beach volleyball, the works. volleyball, the works. volleyball, the The crowd The crowd works. The crowd skews skews skews younger younger — younger — think — think think 20 20 20s ands ands and 30s — and the 30s — and the 30s — and the vibe vibe vibe is very is very is very much much much “sum “summer fl “summer flmer fling.” Iing.”ing.” I’ve seen I’ve seen more’ve seen more more casual casual casual connections start at Summer connections start connections start at Summer Salt than at Summer Salt than Salt than at any bar in the region. at any bar in the region. at any bar in the region. Something Something about the Something about the about the combination of combination of combination of sun, sun, sun, music music music, and, and, and alcohol lowers alcohol lowers alcohol lowers everyone everyone’s defenses everyone’s defenses. In’s defenses. In a good. In a good a good way.
> > Leading up to thatLeading upLeading up to that, the to that, the, the Kwin Kwinana Summerana Summer Markets start Markets start in Kwinana Summer Markets start in in late November late November late November and and and run every run every run every Thursday Thursday Thursday evening through evening through December evening through December. These. These December are smaller are smaller. These are smaller,, more community, more community more community-focused,-focused,-focused, but that but that but that’s actually’s actually’s actually an advantage an advantage an advantage. You’re not. You’re not. You’re not competing with competing with loud competing with loud loud music or music or music or huge huge crowds. You can crowds. actually have huge crowds. You can actually have conversations. You can actually have conversations. And the And the conversations. And the market setting market setting market setting feels feels feels safe safe safe and and and public, public, which makes public, which makes people which makes people people more willing to be more willing to be friendly more willing to be friendly friendly.
The>The The Australia Australia Day Australia Day celebrations on January Day celebrations celebrations on January 26 on January 26 26th areth areth are another opportunity another opportunity. Fire another opportunity. Fire. Fireworks, live entertainment, thousands of peopleworks, live entertainment, thousands of peopleworks, live entertainment, thousands of people. But. But. But — — and this — and this and this is important is important is important — the — the crowd — the crowd crowd is more is more is more family-oriented family-oriented during family-oriented during during the day the day the day. The. The evening is. The evening is evening is when the when the when the singles come out singles come out. Show singles come out. Show. Show up around up around up around 7 7 PM, 7 PM, PM, after after after the families the families the families have gone have gone home have gone home. home.. That’s That’s That’s when the when the when the energy shifts energy shifts energy shifts.
Beyond>Beyond those,>Beyond those, those, keep an eye keep keep an eye an eye on the Kwin on the Kwin on the Kwinana Adventureana Adventure Festivalana Adventure Festival Festival in in in mid mid mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary. It’suary. It’s not It’s not as big as big not as big as as as Summer Summer Summer Salt, Salt, Salt, but it but it but it attracts an attracts an attracts an active, active, outdoorsy active, outdoorsy outdoorsy crowd. crowd. crowd. H Hiking, kay Hiking, kayiking, kayaking,aking, mountain bikingaking, mountain biking mountain biking. The. The kind of people who aren’t afraid. The kind of people who aren’t afraid kind of people who aren’t afraid of of of a little a little sweat a little sweat. If. If sweat. If that’s that’s that’s your thing, you your thing, you your thing, you’ll find’ll find’ll find like-minded like-minded company like-minded company company there.
p> Local gig Local gig> s ats atLocal gigs at the Gate Bar & the Gate Bar & the Gate Bar & B Bistro Bistroistro happen most happen most weekends. happen most weekends. weekends. They They They don’t don’t always advertise widely, don’t always always advertise so follow advertise widely, so follow widely, their social so follow their social their social media or media or just media or just pop in just pop in. Cover pop in. Cover. Cover bands mostly bands mostly bands mostly, but, but that’s, but that’s fine. that’s fine. Music fine. Music creates Music creates creates atmosphere atmosphere. Atmosphere atmosphere. Atmosphere creates opportunities. Atmosphere creates opportunities creates opportunities.
Onep> > One warningOne warning warning about about about events events: don events: don’t treat them’t treat: don’t treat them like hunting them like hunting like hunting grounds. Go grounds. grounds. Go to enjoy Go to enjoy yourself yourself. Go to enjoy yourself. Go. Go to to have to have have fun. fun. fun. The The connections will The connections will connections will happen naturally happen naturally happen naturally if you’re not if you’re not if you’re not forcing them. People forcing them. People forcing them. People can smell desperation from can smell desperation from can smell desperation from a mile a mile a mile away. Just away. Just away. Just be normal be normal be normal. Just. Just be present. Just be present. That be present. That’s genuinely. That’s genuinely’s genuinely the best the best advice the best advice advice I can I can I can give you.
>>Be directBe direct but respectfulBe direct but respectful but respectful, and, and frame it, and frame it frame it around your own situation rather than around your own situation rather than around your own situation rather than their des their des their desirabilityirabilityirability. Say. Say “Istrong> Say “I “I’m not looking for’m not looking for’m not looking for a a a relationship right now because of work/schedule/life stuff relationship right now because of work/schedule/life stuff relationship right now because of work/schedule/life stuff” rather” rather” rather than ” than ” than “I donI donI don’t want’t want’t want anything serious anything serious anything serious with you with you.” The with you.” The.” The distinction distinction matters. It distinction matters. It matters. It’s about’s about your circumstances’s about your circumstances your circumstances, not their worth, not their worth, not their worth.
This>This> This is where is where most is where most most people mess people mess up. people mess up. up. They either They either They either dance dance dance around the topic until it’s around the topic until around the topic until it’s too late it’s too late and feelings and feelings are too late and feelings are are involved, involved, involved, or they or they or they come out come out come out with with something so with something so something so blunt blunt blunt it it it sounds sounds like sounds like a transaction like a transaction a transaction. Neither. Neither. Neither works. The works works. The sweet spot. The sweet spot is honesty sweet spot is honesty is honesty delivered delivered delivered with tact with tact.
Here> Here’s a script that’s a script that>Here’s a script that actually actually actually works: works: “Hey works: “Hey “Hey, just, just, just so you so you know upfront — so you know upfront — know upfront — my life my life my life’s pretty’s pretty’s pretty chaotic right chaotic right now. chaotic right now. now. I’m I’m I’m not not not really really in a really in a place for in a place for place for anything serious anything serious anything serious. But. But I. But I I enjoy hanging enjoy hanging enjoy hanging out with you and I out with you and out with you and I’d love I’d love’d love to keep seeing to keep seeing to keep seeing you casually you casually you casually, if, if, if that’s something you’d that’s something you’d that’s something you’d be open to.” See be open to.” See be open to.” See what what what happened there? You happened there? You happened there? made it made it You made it about you about you. You about you. You. You didn’t didn’t didn’t say ” say ” say “youyou’re notyou’re not’re not relationship material relationship material relationship material.” You.” You said “.” You said “my said “my life’smy life’s chaotic.” life’s chaotic.” That’s chaotic.” That’s That’s honest honest honest. That’s respectful. That. That’s respectful. And’s respectful. And it gives it gives. And it gives the other the other person an the other person an person an easy out easy out easy out if they if they if they want something want something want something different.
> Timing> TimingTiming matters too matters too matters too. Don. Don’t wait. Don’t wait’t wait until after you’ve slept until after you’ve slept with until after you’ve slept with with someone to have someone to someone to this conversation have this conversation have this conversation. That’s manip. That’s manipulative. That’s manipulative.ulative.. Have Have it Have it before it before before… Have it on the first Have it on Have date, the first it on the first date, or even date, or even or even before before the before the first date the first date if you first date if if you’re’re messaging you’re messaging on an app on an app. The messaging on an app. The. The earlier you earlier you earlier you’re’re clear,’re clear, clear, the less the less the less chance chance chance for misunderstanding for misunderstanding for misunderstanding. And>And>And for the for the for love of love of the love of everything, everything, everything, accept accept accept rejection rejection gracefully. rejection gracefully. gracefully. If someone If someone If someone says they’re looking says they’re looking says they’re looking for something for something for something more serious more serious more serious, don, don, don’t try’t try’t try to convince to convince to convince them otherwise them otherwise them otherwise. Don. Don’t say. Don’t say’t say “but we “but we’re so “but we’re so’re so good together good together good together.” Don’t get.” Don’t get.” Don’t get defensive defensive defensive. Just. Just. Just say ” say ” say “I understandI understandI understand, thanks, thanks, thanks for being for being for being honest” honest” and move honest” and move and move on. on. on. Trying to talk Trying to talk someone into casual Trying to talk someone into casual is not someone into casual is not is not only creepy only creepy only creepy,,, it rarely works anyway it rarely it rarely works anyway. You works anyway. You. You’ll just waste’ll just waste everyone’ll just waste everyone everyone’s time. One> One more thing — and>One more thing — and — and this this might this might be controversial might be controversial be controversial — don — don — don’t use’t use the word’t use the word “friends “friends the word “friends with with benefits” with benefits” benefits” unless you unless you unless you actually mean the actually mean the actually mean the friends part friends part friends part. Too. Too. Too many people many people use F many people use F use FWB asWB asWB as code code code for ” for ” for “booty call whenbootybooty call when call when I’m I’m I’m bored.” bored.” That’s bored.” That’s not friendship That’s not friendship not friendship. That’s convenience. That’s convenience. That’s convenience. And. And the other. And the other the other person will person will person will figure it figure it out eventually figure it out eventually out eventually,,, usually with usually with usually with hurt feelings hurt feelings hurt feelings involved. involved. involved. Be honest Be honest Be honest about what about what about what you’re you’re offering. If you you’re offering. offering. If you just want If you just want sex with no other just want sex with no other sex with no other connection, connection, connection, say that say that. There say that. There are people. There are people are people who want who want who want the same the same thing. the same thing. You just thing. You just have to You just have to find them have to find them. The age>The age>The age of consent of consent in Western Australia is of consent in Western in Western Australia is 16 Australia is 16 16, but any, but, but any any sexual relationship sexual relationship sexual relationship with someone with someone with someone under under under 18 who18 who is in your care or supervision is18 who is in your care or supervision is is in your care or supervision is illegal regardless illegal regardless illegal regardless of age. For> For> For casual dating casual dating casual dating,,, the bigger the bigger issue is the bigger issue is issue is power imbalances power imbalances power imbalances — — work — work work relationships, relationships, significant relationships, significant significant age gaps age gaps age gaps where where one where one one person is very person is very person is very young young, or young, or situations where, or situations where situations where one person one person one person has financial has financial or social has financial or social authority over or social authority over the other. the other. authority over the other These arrangements These arrangements. rarely end rarely end well These arrangements rarely end well.
Let>Let>Let’s talk’s talk’s talk about something about something most most dating guides avoid. The about something most dating guides avoid. The legal legal dating guides avoid. The legal minimum minimum minimum age age age is one is one is one thing. thing. thing. Ethical common Ethical common Ethical common sense is sense is sense is another. another. another. Just because Just because Just because something is something is legal doesn’t mean something is legal doesn’t mean legal doesn’t mean it’s it’s smart. it’s smart. A smart. A A 303030-year-old-year-old-year-old sleeping with sleeping with sleeping with a 17-year a a 17-year-old might-old might technically be 17-year-old might technically be legal in technically be legal in legal in WA, WA, WA, but everyone but everyone but everyone involved is going to involved is going to get involved is going to get get judged — judged — judged — and and and honestly honestly honestly, probably, probably, probably should should should be. The be. The be. The life experience gap life life is real experience gap is real experience gap is real. The. The power. The power imbalance is imbalance is power imbalance is real. real. real. Casual Casual Casual or or not, or not, not, that dynamic that dynamic that dynamic is is messed up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace situations are even trickier. I situations are even trickier. I situations are even trickier. I’ve seen’ve seen’ve seen it happen it happen it happen more times more times than I than I can count can count. Two. Two people at people at the the same company same company, both, both single single, both bored, both, both bored, both thinking thinking “what “what’s the harm?”‘s the harm?” The harm The harm is is that casual rarely that casual rarely stays stays casual when you have casual when you have to see to see each other every each other day. every day. Someone catches Someone catches feelings. Someone feelings. Someone gets gets jealous. jealous. Someone starts Someone starts making things making things awkward in awkward in meetings. meetings. Next thing Next thing you know, HR is involved. Don you know, HR is involved. Don’t do’t do it. more times than I can count. Two people at the same company, both single, both bored, both thinking “what’s the harm?” The harm is that casual rarely stays casual when you have to see each other every day. Someone catches feelings. Someone gets jealous. Someone starts making things awkward in meetings. Next thing you know, HR is involved. Don’t do it. Seriously it. Seriously. The. The temporary fun temporary fun Seriously. The temporary fun is not is not worth the is not worth the permanent worth the permanent career damage.
p> pAge gapsAge gaps> Age gaps where both people are where both people are where both people are over over 25? over 25? Less of25? Less of an issue Less of an issue. A 35 an issue. A 35. A 35-year-old and a -year-old and a 50-year-old and a 5050-year-year-old can have-year-old can have-old can have a a perfectly healthy a perfectly healthy perfectly healthy casual arrangement. But casual arrangement. But if casual arrangement. But if if one person is under 25 and the other is over one person is under 25 and the other is over 40 one person is under 25 and the other is over 40 40, proceed, proceed, proceed with caution with caution with caution. The. The. The younger younger younger person might not have person might person might the experience not have the experience not have the experience or confidence to advocate or confidence or confidence for their to advocate for their to advocate for their own boundaries. That doesn’t own boundaries. That own boundaries. That make you doesn’t make you doesn’t make you a a predator automatically a predator automatically, but predator automatically, but it does, but it does it does mean you mean you need to mean you need to need to be extra be extra careful about be extra careful about consent careful about consent and communication consent and communication and communication. . Financial> Financial power imbalancesFinancial power imbalances are the power imbalances are the ones nobody talks about. are the ones nobody talks ones nobody talks about. If you’re paying about. If you’re paying for everything — dinners for everything — dinners, drinks, drinks, Ubers — and, Ubers — and If you’re paying for everything — dinners, drinks, Ubers — and the other the other the other person can’t afford person can’t afford person can’t afford those those those things on things on things on their own, that their own their own creates a weird, that creates a weird, that creates a weird dynamic. dynamic. dynamic. Not Not Not necessarily a necessarily a bad one, necessarily a bad one, but bad one, but but a weird a weird one. a weird one. one. They They They might feel obligated. might feel might feel obligated. They might obligated. They might say They might say yes to say yes to yes to things they don’t things they don’t things they don’t really want really want really want because because they don because they don they don’t want’t want’t want to lose to lose the perks to lose the perks the perks. I. I’m not. I’m not saying don’m not saying don saying don’t pay.’t pay’t pay. I’m. I’m saying be aware. I’m saying be saying be aware. Check aware. Check in. Check in. in. Ask Ask “are Ask “are “are you actually okay with this you actually okay with this you actually okay with this?” more than once?” more?” more than once. Bottom> Bottom line:>Bottom line: casual line: casual doesn’t casual doesn’t doesn’t mean careless mean careless mean careless. The same rules about. The same rules about respect,. The same rules about respect, respect, consent, consent, consent, and communication and communication and communication apply whether apply whether apply whether you’re you’re planning you’re planning a wedding planning a wedding or planning a one or planning a wedding or planning a one-night stand a one-night stand. Actually-night stand. Actually. Actually, scratch that., scratch that., scratch that. The rules matter more in casual situations because there’s less emotional buffer The rules matter more in casual situations because there’s less emotional buffer The rules matter more in casual situations because there’s less emotional buffer. When. When things go. When things go things go wrong in casual, there’s no relationship foundation wrong in casual, there’s no relationship foundation to fall wrong in casual, there’s no relationship foundation to fall back to fall back on back on. It on. It. It just ends. Often just ends just ends. Often badly. So don badly. So don. Often badly. So don’t let the “‘t let the “‘t let the “no commitmentno commitmentno commitment” part make” part make you think” part make you think “no responsibility you think “no responsibility “.” That.” That’s a mistakeno responsibility.” That’s a’s a mistake you’ll you’ll mistake you’ll regret.72>7.2>7.. How Do How Do I Communicate How Do I Communicate I Communicate That I Want Something Casual That I Want That I Want Something Casual Without Sound Something Casual Without Sounding Creing Cre Without Sounding Creepyepy?
2>2>8.8. What About8. What About What About Age Age Age Differences, Differences, Power Dynamics, and Differences, Power Dynamics, and Power Dynamics, and Other Other Other Tric Tric Tricky Situky Situations?
9 regret.
9 regret.
9.. What’s the. What’s the What’s the Best Strategy Best Strategy Best Strategy for Finding No-Commit for Finding No-Commitment Fun for Finding No-Commitment Funment Fun in Kwinana in Kwinana Long in Kwinana Long-Term Long-Term?
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
+
The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication.
. Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
+
+
>>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret. 2>+ >+ + + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p> For+the> For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
> Share> Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret. 2>+ >+ + + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p> For+the> For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
> Share> Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret. 2>+ >+ + + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p> For+the> For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
> Share> Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret. 2>+ >+ + + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p> For+the> For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
> Share> Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
5.+How+Do+I+of+the+time.”
5.+How+Do+I+How+Do+I+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+Stay+Safe+While+Looking+for+for+No+for+No-Com+No-Com-Commitmitment+Hookupsmitment+Hookupsment+Hookups+in+K+in+K+in+Kwinanawinana?+
2>+
>+
+ + Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.>Let+me+be+blunt.+The+casual+The+casual+dating+scene+The+casual+dating+scene+—+anywhere+dating+scene+—+anywhere,+not+—+anywhere,+not,+not+just+K+just+K+just+Kwinanawinana+—+attractswinana+—+attracts+—+attracts+some+some+some+sketchy+sketch+sketchy+people+people.+Mosty+people.+Most+are.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+fine.+Most+are+just+looking+for+are+just+looking+for+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+the+same+thing+you+are.+are.+But+the+are.+But+the+But+the+ones+who+ones+who+aren’t+ones+who+aren’t+aren’t?+They?+They?+They+rely+rely+rely+on+you+on+you+on+you+being+being+too+being+too+polite+or+too+polite+or+too+eager+polite+or+to+say+too+eager+too+eager+to+say+to+say+no.+no.+no.+Don+Don+Don’t+be’t+be+that+person’t+be+that+person+that+person.
Practical>Practical>Practical+stuff+stuff+stuff+first.+The+Hilton+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+first.+The+Hilton+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Garden+Inn+is+probably+Inn+is+probably+the+safest+the+safest+the+safest+venue+for+venue+for+a+venue+for+a+first+a+first+meet.+first+meet.+meet.+It+It+It’s+well-lit,+there’s+well-lit,’s+well-lit,+are+staff+around+there+are+staff+there+are+staff+around,+and+around,+and,+and+it’s+it’s+it’s+a+hotel+so+a+hotel+so+there’s+a+hotel+so+there’s+there’s+a+certain+a+certain+level+a+certain+level+level+of+security+of+security+of+security.+The.+The.+The+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+B+Gate+Bar+&+Bistro+isistro+isistro+is+fine+too,+fine+too,+fine+too,+but+it+but+it+but+it’s+smaller’s+smaller.’s+smaller..+Easier+for+Easier+for+Easier+for+someone+to+someone+to+someone+to+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+get+aggressive+in+a+corner+a+corner+where+nobody+a+corner+where+where+nobody’s+watching+nobody’s+watching.+Not’s+watching.+Not.+Not+saying+it+saying+it+happens+often+saying+it+happens+often+—+happens+often+—+it+doesn+—+it+doesn’t+—+it+doesn’t+—+but+be’t+—+but+be+but+be+aware.
p>
For+the>
For+theFor+the+love+of+love+of+everything,+love+of+everything,+everything,+do+do+do+not+go+not+go+not+go+straight+to+straight+to+straight+to+someone’s+someone’s+someone’s+house+or+house+or+house+or+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+meeting+apartment+without+in+in+meeting+public+first+public+first+in+public+first.+I+don.+I+don.+I’t+care’t+care+don’t+care+how+good+how+good+how+good+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+their+photos+are+or+how+or+how+or+how+smooth+smooth+their+smooth+their+their+messages+messages+messages+are.+are.+are.+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+Predators+use+urgency+as+a+tactic+a+tactic+a+tactic.+”.+”I.+”II’m+only’m+only’m+only+free+free+tonight”+free+tonight”+tonight”+or+or+or+”I+”I+”I+don+don’t+really+don’t+really’t+really+go+out+go+out+go+out+much”+much”+are+red+much”+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences+flags+disguised+as+are+red+flags+disguised+as+preferences.+Meet+preferences.+Meet.+Meet+for+for+for+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+a+drink.+Meet+for+coffee+for+coffee+for+coffee.+If.+If.+If+they+they+refuse+they+refuse+to+meet+refuse+to+meet+to+meet+in+public+in+public+in+public,+move,+move+on.
>
Share>
Share+your+location+withShare+your+location+with+your+location+with+a+friend+a+friend+a+friend.+This.+This+is+non.+This+is+non+is+non-negot-negot-negotiable.+Thereiable.+Thereiable.+There+are+apps+are+apps+are+apps+for+this+—+for+this+—+for+this+—+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+WhatsApp+live+location,+location,+location,+Google+Maps+location+sharing+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+Google+Maps+location+sharing,+even+just+sending+a+pin.,+even+just+sending+a+pin.+just+sending+a+pin.+If+you+If+you+If+you’re+meeting’re+meeting’re+meeting+someone+new+someone+new+someone+new,+someone,+someone,+someone+you+you+only+you+only+only+know+from+know+from+know+from+an+an+an+app,+app,+app,+someone+someone+should+know+exactly+someone+should+know+exactly+where+you+should+know+exactly+where+you+are.+where+you+are.+are.+And+check+And+check+And+check+in+after+in+after.+A+in+after.+A.+A+simple+”+simple+”+simple+”I’mI’mI’m+home,+all+home,+all+good”+home,+all+good”+good”+text+saves+text+saves+your+text+saves+your+your+friends+from+friends+from+friends+from+worrying+and+worrying+and+creates+worrying+and+creates+a+paper+creates+a+paper+trail+if+a+paper+trail+if+trail+if+something+goes+wrong+something+goes+wrong.
+ + Now>Now,+about>Now,+about,+about+STI+STI+STI+prevention.+prevention.+I+know+prevention.+I+know+I+know,,,+I+know+I+know+I+know,,,+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+it’s+awkward+to+talk+about+talk+about.+But+talk+about.+But.+But+the+casual+scene+in+the+casual+scene+the+casual+scene+in+K+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+is+active+is+activewinana+is+active+enough+enough+enough+that+you+that+you+that+you’re+not’re+not+the+only’re+not+the+only+person+the+only+person+sleeping+with+person+sleeping+sleeping+with+the+the+with+the+people+you’re+people+you’re+people+you’re+sleeping+with+sleeping+with.+That+sleeping+with.+That.+That’s+just’s+just’s+just+math+math.+So+use+protection+math.+So+use+protection.+Every.+So+use+protection.+Every+time..+Every+time.+No+time.+No+exceptions+exceptions.+And+No+exceptions.+And.+And+get+get+get+tested+regularly+tested+regularly+tested+regularly.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is.+The+sexual+health+clinic+in+Rockingham+is+free+free+free+and+and+and+confidential.+confidential.+confidential.+There+There+There’s+no’s+no’s+no+excuse+excuse+excuse+not+not+not+to+go.
One+more+thing>One+more+thing>One+—+and+—+and+more+thing+—+and+this+might+this+might+this+might+sound+sound+paranoid+sound+paranoid+paranoid,+but+I,+but+I,+but+I’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+—+watch+—+watch+—+watch+your+your+drink+at+your+drink+at+drink+at+all+all+all+times.+times.+times.+Even+in+Even+in+”+Even+in+”safe+”safe”+venuessafe”+venues”+venues.+Even.+Even.+Even+with+with+with+people+who+people+who+people+who+seem+nice+seem+nice.+Drink+seem+nice.+Drink.+Drink+spiking+isn’t+spiking+spiking+common+in+isn’t+isn’t+common+in+Kwin+common+in+Kwin+Kwinana,+but+itana,+but+it’s+notana,+but+it’s+not’s+not+unheard+of+unheard+of+unheard+of+either.+either.+either.+If+If+If+you+leave+you+leave+you+leave+your+drink+your+drink+unattended+your+drink+unattended,+get+unattended,+get,+get+a+new+a+new+a+new+one.+If+one.+If+someone+one.+If+someone+someone+offers+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+offers+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+to+buy+you+a+drink+and+you+don’t+don’t+see+the+don’t+see+the+see+the+bartender+bartender+bartender+make+it+make+it+make+it,+decline,+decline+politely.,+decline+politely.+You’re+politely.+You’re+not+being+You’re+not+being+not+being+rude.+You+rude.+rude.+You’re’re+You’re+being+smart.6+being+smart.
6.+being+smart.
6..+What+Events+What+Events+Are+What+Events+Are+Are+Happening+Happening+Happening+in+and+in+and+in+and+Around+K+Around+Kwinana+Over+the+Around+Kwinana+Over+thewinana+Over+the+Next+Two+Next+Two+Months?
+
+
+
>Several+concerts>Several+concerts,+festivalsSeveral+concerts,+festivals,+and+community,+festivals,+and,+and+events+community+events+are+scheduled+community+events+are+scheduled+from+from+are+scheduled+from+November+2024+November+2024+November+2024+through+January+through+January+through+January+2025.+2025.+The+Summerstrong>+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+The+Summer+Salt+Festival+Salt+Festival+in+in+Rockingham+in+Rockingham+(December+Rockingham+(December+7+(December+7–8+7-88))+features+live)+features+live+music+and+features+live+music+and+music+and+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+beach+activities.+The+Kwinana+Summer+Summer+Markets+Markets+Markets+run+run+run+weekly,+weekly,+weekly,+and+the+Australia+and+the+and+the+Australia+Day+celebrations+Australia+Day+celebrations+Day+celebrations+on+January+on+January+26th+on+January+26th26th+draw+draw+draw+large+crowds+large+crowds.+These+large+crowds.+These.+These+events+create+events+create+events+create+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+natural+opportunities+for+casual+for+casual+for+casual+connections.
> Here> HereHere’s+the’s+the+thing+about’s+the+thing+about+events+—+thing+about+events+—+events+—+they’re+they’re+better+than+apps+they’re+better+than+apps+better+than+apps+and+and+bars+and+bars+bars+combined+for+combined+for+combined+for+meeting+people+meeting+people.+meeting+people.+Why?.+Why?+Because+you+Why?+Because+you+already+have+Because+you+already+have+something+in+already+have+something+in+something+in+common.+common.+common.+You’re+both+at+You’re+You’re+both+at+the+same+event.+That+the+same+event.+That’s+a+both+at+the+same+event.+That’s+a’s+a+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+conversation+starter+right+there.+No+awkward+right+there.+right+there.+No+awkward+opening+line+No+awkward+opening+line+opening+line+needed+needed+needed.+”Hey,.+”Hey,.+”Hey,+have+have+have+you+been+you+been+to+you+been+to+to+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+this+before?”+works+every+time.
Thep> The+Summer+Salt+Summer+Salt> The+Summer+Salt+Festival+in+Festival+in+Rockingham+Festival+in+Rockingham+Rockingham+is+is+the+is+the+big+one+the+big+one+big+one…+December+December+December+7th+and+8th,7th7th+and+8th+down+at+the+and+8th,+down,+down+at+fores+at+the+foreshore.+the+foreshore.hore.+Live+Live+Live+music,+music,+music,+food+trucks+food+trucks+food+trucks,+beach,+beach,+beach+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+works.+volleyball,+the+The+crowd+The+crowd+works.+The+crowd+skews+skews+skews+younger+younger+—+younger+—+think+—+think+think+20+20+20s+ands+ands+and+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+30s+—+and+the+vibe+vibe+vibe+is+very+is+very+is+very+much+much+much+”sum+”summer+fl+”summer+flmer+fling.”+Iing.”ing.”+I’ve+seen+I’ve+seen+more’ve+seen+more+more+casual+casual+casual+connections+start+at+Summer+connections+start+connections+start+at+Summer+Salt+than+at+Summer+Salt+than+Salt+than+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+at+any+bar+in+the+region.+Something+Something+about+the+Something+about+the+about+the+combination+of+combination+of+combination+of+sun,+sun,+sun,+music+music+music,+and,+and,+and+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+alcohol+lowers+everyone+everyone’s+defenses+everyone’s+defenses.+In’s+defenses.+In+a+good.+In+a+good+a+good+way.
> > Leading+up+to+thatLeading+upLeading+up+to+that,+the+to+that,+the,+the+Kwin+Kwinana+Summerana+Summer+Markets+start+Markets+start+in+Kwinana+Summer+Markets+start+in+in+late+November+late+November+late+November+and+and+and+run+every+run+every+run+every+Thursday+Thursday+Thursday+evening+through+evening+through+December+evening+through+December.+These.+These+December+are+smaller+are+smaller.+These+are+smaller,,+more+community,+more+community+more+community-focused,-focused,-focused,+but+that+but+that+but+that’s+actually’s+actually’s+actually+an+advantage+an+advantage+an+advantage.+You’re+not.+You’re+not.+You’re+not+competing+with+competing+with+loud+competing+with+loud+loud+music+or+music+or+music+or+huge+huge+crowds.+You+can+crowds.+actually+have+huge+crowds.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+You+can+actually+have+conversations.+And+the+And+the+conversations.+And+the+market+setting+market+setting+market+setting+feels+feels+feels+safe+safe+safe+and+and+and+public,+public,+which+makes+public,+which+makes+people+which+makes+people+people+more+willing+to+be+more+willing+to+be+friendly+more+willing+to+be+friendly+friendly.
+ + The>The The+Australia+Australia+Day+Australia+Day+celebrations+on+January+Day+celebrations+celebrations+on+January+26+on+January+26+26th+areth+areth+are+another+opportunity+another+opportunity.+Fire+another+opportunity.+Fire.+Fireworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+peopleworks,+live+entertainment,+thousands+of+people.+But.+But.+But+—+—+and+this+—+and+this+and+this+is+important+is+important+is+important+—+the+—+the+crowd+—+the+crowd+crowd+is+more+is+more+is+more+family-oriented+family-oriented+during+family-oriented+during+during+the+day+the+day+the+day.+The.+The+evening+is.+The+evening+is+evening+is+when+the+when+the+when+the+singles+come+out+singles+come+out.+Show+singles+come+out.+Show.+Show+up+around+up+around+up+around+7+7+PM,+7+PM,+PM,+after+after+after+the+families+the+families+the+families+have+gone+have+gone+home+have+gone+home.+home..+That’s+That’s+That’s+when+the+when+the+when+the+energy+shifts+energy+shifts+energy+shifts.
Beyond>Beyond+those,>Beyond+those,+those,+keep+an+eye+keep+keep+an+eye+an+eye+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwin+on+the+Kwinana+Adventureana+Adventure+Festivalana+Adventure+Festival+Festival+in+in+in+mid+mid+mid-Jan-Jan-January.uary.+It’suary.+It’s+not+It’s+not+as+big+as+big+not+as+big+as+as+as+Summer+Summer+Summer+Salt,+Salt,+Salt,+but+it+but+it+but+it+attracts+an+attracts+an+attracts+an+active,+active,+outdoorsy+active,+outdoorsy+outdoorsy+crowd.+crowd.+crowd.+H+Hiking,+kay+Hiking,+kayiking,+kayaking,aking,+mountain+bikingaking,+mountain+biking+mountain+biking.+The.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid.+The+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+kind+of+people+who+aren’t+afraid+of+of+of+a+little+a+little+sweat+a+little+sweat.+If.+If+sweat.+If+that’s+that’s+that’s+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you+your+thing,+you’ll+find’ll+find’ll+find+like-minded+like-minded+company+like-minded+company+company+there.
+p>+ Local+gig Local+gig> s+ats+atLocal+gigs+at+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+the+Gate+Bar+&+B+Bistro+Bistroistro+happen+most+happen+most+weekends.+happen+most+weekends.+weekends.+They+They+They+don’t+don’t+always+advertise+widely,+don’t+always+always+advertise+so+follow+advertise+widely,+so+follow+widely,+their+social+so+follow+their+social+their+social+media+or+media+or+just+media+or+just+pop+in+just+pop+in.+Cover+pop+in.+Cover.+Cover+bands+mostly+bands+mostly+bands+mostly,+but,+but+that’s,+but+that’s+fine.+that’s+fine.+Music+fine.+Music+creates+Music+creates+creates+atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+atmosphere.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities.+Atmosphere+creates+opportunities+creates+opportunities.
Onep> > One+warningOne+warning+warning+about+about+about+events+events:+don+events:+don’t+treat+them’t+treat:+don’t+treat+them+like+hunting+them+like+hunting+like+hunting+grounds.+Go+grounds.+grounds.+Go+to+enjoy+Go+to+enjoy+yourself+yourself.+Go+to+enjoy+yourself.+Go.+Go+to+to+have+to+have+have+fun.+fun.+fun.+The+The+connections+will+The+connections+will+connections+will+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+happen+naturally+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+if+you’re+not+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+forcing+them.+People+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+can+smell+desperation+from+a+mile+a+mile+a+mile+away.+Just+away.+Just+away.+Just+be+normal+be+normal+be+normal.+Just.+Just+be+present.+Just+be+present.+That+be+present.+That’s+genuinely.+That’s+genuinely’s+genuinely+the+best+the+best+advice+the+best+advice+advice+I+can+I+can+I+can+give+you.
+ + + + >>Be+directBe+direct+but+respectfulBe+direct+but+respectful+but+respectful,+and,+and+frame+it,+and+frame+it+frame+it+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+around+your+own+situation+rather+than+their+des+their+des+their+desirabilityirabilityirability.+Say.+Say+”Istrong>+Say+”I+”I’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for’m+not+looking+for+a+a+a+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff+relationship+right+now+because+of+work/schedule/life+stuff”+rather”+rather”+rather+than+”+than+”+than+”I+donI+donI+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious+with+you+with+you.”+The+with+you.”+The.”+The+distinction+distinction+matters.+It+distinction+matters.+It+matters.+It’s+about’s+about+your+circumstances’s+about+your+circumstances+your+circumstances,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth,+not+their+worth.
+ + This>This> This+is+where+is+where+most+is+where+most+most+people+mess+people+mess+up.+people+mess+up.+up.+They+either+They+either+They+either+dance+dance+dance+around+the+topic+until+it’s+around+the+topic+until+around+the+topic+until+it’s+too+late+it’s+too+late+and+feelings+and+feelings+are+too+late+and+feelings+are+are+involved,+involved,+involved,+or+they+or+they+or+they+come+out+come+out+come+out+with+with+something+so+with+something+so+something+so+blunt+blunt+blunt+it+it+it+sounds+sounds+like+sounds+like+a+transaction+like+a+transaction+a+transaction.+Neither.+Neither.+Neither+works.+The+works+works.+The+sweet+spot.+The+sweet+spot+is+honesty+sweet+spot+is+honesty+is+honesty+delivered+delivered+delivered+with+tact+with+tact.
+ Here> Here’s+a+script+that’s+a+script+that>Here’s+a+script+that+actually+actually+actually+works:+works:+”Hey+works:+”Hey+”Hey,+just,+just,+just+so+you+so+you+know+upfront+—+so+you+know+upfront+—+know+upfront+—+my+life+my+life+my+life’s+pretty’s+pretty’s+pretty+chaotic+right+chaotic+right+now.+chaotic+right+now.+now.+I’m+I’m+I’m+not+not+not+really+really+in+a+really+in+a+place+for+in+a+place+for+place+for+anything+serious+anything+serious+anything+serious.+But.+But+I.+But+I+I+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+enjoy+hanging+out+with+you+and+I+out+with+you+and+out+with+you+and+I’d+love+I’d+love’d+love+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+to+keep+seeing+you+casually+you+casually+you+casually,+if,+if,+if+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+that’s+something+you’d+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+be+open+to.”+See+what+what+what+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+You+happened+there?+made+it+made+it+You+made+it+about+you+about+you.+You+about+you.+You.+You+didn’t+didn’t+didn’t+say+”+say+”+say+”youyou’re+notyou’re+not’re+not+relationship+material+relationship+material+relationship+material.”+You.”+You+said+”.”+You+said+”my+said+”my+life’smy+life’s+chaotic.”+life’s+chaotic.”+That’s+chaotic.”+That’s+That’s+honest+honest+honest.+That’s+respectful.+That.+That’s+respectful.+And’s+respectful.+And+it+gives+it+gives.+And+it+gives+the+other+the+other+person+an+the+other+person+an+person+an+easy+out+easy+out+easy+out+if+they+if+they+if+they+want+something+want+something+want+something+different.
> Timing> TimingTiming+matters+too+matters+too+matters+too.+Don.+Don’t+wait.+Don’t+wait’t+wait+until+after+you’ve+slept+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+until+after+you’ve+slept+with+with+someone+to+have+someone+to+someone+to+this+conversation+have+this+conversation+have+this+conversation.+That’s+manip.+That’s+manipulative.+That’s+manipulative.ulative..+Have+Have+it+Have+it+before+it+before+before…+Have+it+on+the+first+Have+it+on+Have+date,+the+first+it+on+the+first+date,+or+even+date,+or+even+or+even+before+before+the+before+the+first+date+the+first+date+if+you+first+date+if+if+you’re’re+messaging+you’re+messaging+on+an+app+on+an+app.+The+messaging+on+an+app.+The.+The+earlier+you+earlier+you+earlier+you’re’re+clear,’re+clear,+clear,+the+less+the+less+the+less+chance+chance+chance+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding+for+misunderstanding. + + And>And>And+for+the+for+the+for+love+of+love+of+the+love+of+everything,+everything,+everything,+accept+accept+accept+rejection+rejection+gracefully.+rejection+gracefully.+gracefully.+If+someone+If+someone+If+someone+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+says+they’re+looking+for+something+for+something+for+something+more+serious+more+serious+more+serious,+don,+don,+don’t+try’t+try’t+try+to+convince+to+convince+to+convince+them+otherwise+them+otherwise+them+otherwise.+Don.+Don’t+say.+Don’t+say’t+say+”but+we+”but+we’re+so+”but+we’re+so’re+so+good+together+good+together+good+together.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get.”+Don’t+get+defensive+defensive+defensive.+Just.+Just.+Just+say+”+say+”+say+”I+understandI+understandI+understand,+thanks,+thanks,+thanks+for+being+for+being+for+being+honest”+honest”+and+move+honest”+and+move+and+move+on.+on.+on.+Trying+to+talk+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+Trying+to+talk+someone+into+casual+is+not+someone+into+casual+is+not+is+not+only+creepy+only+creepy+only+creepy,,,+it+rarely+works+anyway+it+rarely+it+rarely+works+anyway.+You+works+anyway.+You.+You’ll+just+waste’ll+just+waste+everyone’ll+just+waste+everyone+everyone’s+time.+ One>+ + The+age>The+age>The+age+of+consent+of+consent+in+Western+Australia+is+of+consent+in+Western+in+Western+Australia+is+16+Australia+is+16+16,+but+any,+but,+but+any+any+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+sexual+relationship+with+someone+with+someone+with+someone+under+under+under+18+who18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is18+who+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+is+in+your+care+or+supervision+is+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+illegal+regardless+of+age.+For>+For>+For+casual+dating+casual+dating+casual+dating,,,+the+bigger+the+bigger+issue+is+the+bigger+issue+is+issue+is+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+power+imbalances+—+—+work+—+work+work+relationships,+relationships,+significant+relationships,+significant+significant+age+gaps+age+gaps+age+gaps+where+where+one+where+one+one+person+is+very+person+is+very+person+is+very+young+young,+or+young,+or+situations+where,+or+situations+where+situations+where+one+person+one+person+one+person+has+financial+has+financial+or+social+has+financial+or+social+authority+over+or+social+authority+over+the+other.+the+other.+authority+over+the+other+These+arrangements+These+arrangements.+rarely+end+rarely+end+well+These+arrangements+rarely+end+well.
Let>Let>Let’s+talk’s+talk’s+talk+about+something+about+something+most+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+about+something+most+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+legal+dating+guides+avoid.+The+legal+minimum+minimum+minimum+age+age+age+is+one+is+one+is+one+thing.+thing.+thing.+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+Ethical+common+sense+is+sense+is+sense+is+another.+another.+another.+Just+because+Just+because+Just+because+something+is+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+something+is+legal+doesn’t+mean+legal+doesn’t+mean+it’s+it’s+smart.+it’s+smart.+A+smart.+A+A+303030-year-old-year-old-year-old+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+sleeping+with+a+17-year+a+a+17-year-old+might-old+might+technically+be+17-year-old+might+technically+be+legal+in+technically+be+legal+in+legal+in+WA,+WA,+WA,+but+everyone+but+everyone+but+everyone+involved+is+going+to+involved+is+going+to+get+involved+is+going+to+get+get+judged+—+judged+—+judged+—+and+and+and+honestly+honestly+honestly,+probably,+probably,+probably+should+should+should+be.+The+be.+The+be.+The+life+experience+gap+life+life+is+real+experience+gap+is+real+experience+gap+is+real.+The.+The+power.+The+power+imbalance+is+imbalance+is+power+imbalance+is+real.+real.+real.+Casual+Casual+Casual+or+or+not,+or+not,+not,+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+that+dynamic+is+is+messed+up.
Workplace> Workplace> Workplace+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I+situations+are+even+trickier.+I’ve+seen’ve+seen’ve+seen+it+happen+it+happen+it+happen+more+times+more+times+than+I+than+I+can+count+can+count.+Two.+Two+people+at+people+at+the+the+same+company+same+company,+both,+both+single+single,+both+bored,+both,+both+bored,+both+thinking+thinking+”what+”what’s+the+harm?”‘s+the+harm?”+The+harm+The+harm+is+is+that+casual+rarely+that+casual+rarely+stays+stays+casual+when+you+have+casual+when+you+have+to+see+to+see+each+other+every+each+other+day.+every+day.+Someone+catches+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+feelings.+Someone+gets+gets+jealous.+jealous.+Someone+starts+Someone+starts+making+things+making+things+awkward+in+awkward+in+meetings.+meetings.+Next+thing+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do’t+do+it.+more+times+than+I+can+count.+Two+people+at+the+same+company,+both+single,+both+bored,+both+thinking+”what’s+the+harm?”+The+harm+is+that+casual+rarely+stays+casual+when+you+have+to+see+each+other+every+day.+Someone+catches+feelings.+Someone+gets+jealous.+Someone+starts+making+things+awkward+in+meetings.+Next+thing+you+know,+HR+is+involved.+Don’t+do+it.+Seriously+it.+Seriously.+The.+The+temporary+fun+temporary+fun+Seriously.+The+temporary+fun+is+not+is+not+worth+the+is+not+worth+the+permanent+worth+the+permanent+career+damage.
p> pAge+gapsAge+gaps> Age+gaps+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+where+both+people+are+over+over+25?+over+25?+Less+of25?+Less+of+an+issue+Less+of+an+issue.+A+35+an+issue.+A+35.+A+35-year-old+and+a+-year-old+and+a+50-year-old+and+a+5050-year-year-old+can+have-year-old+can+have-old+can+have+a+a+perfectly+healthy+a+perfectly+healthy+perfectly+healthy+casual+arrangement.+But+casual+arrangement.+But+if+casual+arrangement.+But+if+if+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+one+person+is+under+25+and+the+other+is+over+40+40,+proceed,+proceed,+proceed+with+caution+with+caution+with+caution.+The.+The.+The+younger+younger+younger+person+might+not+have+person+might+person+might+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+not+have+the+experience+or+confidence+to+advocate+or+confidence+or+confidence+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+to+advocate+for+their+own+boundaries.+That+doesn’t+own+boundaries.+That+own+boundaries.+That+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+doesn’t+make+you+a+a+predator+automatically+a+predator+automatically,+but+predator+automatically,+but+it+does,+but+it+does+it+does+mean+you+mean+you+need+to+mean+you+need+to+need+to+be+extra+be+extra+careful+about+be+extra+careful+about+consent+careful+about+consent+and+communication+consent+and+communication+and+communication. . Financial> Financial+power+imbalancesFinancial+power+imbalances+are+the+power+imbalances+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+about.+are+the+ones+nobody+talks+ones+nobody+talks+about.+If+you’re+paying+about.+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and,+Ubers+—+and+If+you’re+paying+for+everything+—+dinners,+drinks,+Ubers+—+and+the+other+the+other+the+other+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+person+can’t+afford+those+those+those+things+on+things+on+things+on+their+own,+that+their+own+their+own+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird,+that+creates+a+weird+dynamic.+dynamic.+dynamic.+Not+Not+Not+necessarily+a+necessarily+a+bad+one,+necessarily+a+bad+one,+but+bad+one,+but+but+a+weird+a+weird+one.+a+weird+one.+one.+They+They+They+might+feel+obligated.+might+feel+might+feel+obligated.+They+might+obligated.+They+might+say+They+might+say+yes+to+say+yes+to+yes+to+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+things+they+don’t+really+want+really+want+really+want+because+because+they+don+because+they+don+they+don’t+want’t+want’t+want+to+lose+to+lose+the+perks+to+lose+the+perks+the+perks.+I.+I’m+not.+I’m+not+saying+don’m+not+saying+don+saying+don’t+pay.’t+pay’t+pay.+I’m.+I’m+saying+be+aware.+I’m+saying+be+saying+be+aware.+Check+aware.+Check+in.+Check+in.+in.+Ask+Ask+”are+Ask+”are+”are+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this+you+actually+okay+with+this?”+more+than+once?”+more?”+more+than+once.
+ + Bottom> Bottom+line:>Bottom+line:+casual+line:+casual+doesn’t+casual+doesn’t+doesn’t+mean+careless+mean+careless+mean+careless.+The+same+rules+about.+The+same+rules+about+respect,.+The+same+rules+about+respect,+respect,+consent,+consent,+consent,+and+communication+and+communication+and+communication+apply+whether+apply+whether+apply+whether+you’re+you’re+planning+you’re+planning+a+wedding+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one+or+planning+a+wedding+or+planning+a+one-night+stand+a+one-night+stand.+Actually-night+stand.+Actually.+Actually,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.,+scratch+that.+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer+The+rules+matter+more+in+casual+situations+because+there’s+less+emotional+buffer.+When.+When+things+go.+When+things+go+things+go+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+wrong+in+casual,+there’s+no+relationship+foundation+to+fall+back+to+fall+back+on+back+on.+It+on.+It.+It+just+ends.+Often+just+ends+just+ends.+Often+badly.+So+don+badly.+So+don.+Often+badly.+So+don’t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”‘t+let+the+”no+commitmentno+commitmentno+commitment”+part+make”+part+make+you+think”+part+make+you+think+”no+responsibility+you+think+”no+responsibility+”.”+That.”+That’s+a+mistakeno+responsibility.”+That’s+a’s+a+mistake+you’ll+you’ll+mistake+you’ll+regret. 2> >Build a rotationBuild a rotation of venuesBuild a rotation of venues of venues and apps and apps and apps, maintain, maintain clear, maintain clear communication with regular clear communication with regular partners, communication with regular partners, and stay and stay active partners, and stay active active in local in local events. events. The moststrong> The most successful people The most successful people successful people in in in K K Kwinanawinana’s casualwinana’s casual’s casual scene aren scene aren scene aren’t the ones chasing’t the ones chasing’t the ones chasing new new people new people people every week — every week — every week — they’re they’re they’re the the ones who’ve the ones who’ve ones who’ve built built a small network of built a small network of trusted a small network of trusted trusted, no, no-d, no-drama connectionsrama connections-drama connections who understand who understand who understand the rules.
After watching> After> After watching watching this scene this scene this scene for a for a for a while, I’ve while, I’ve while, I’ve noticed a noticed a noticed a pattern. pattern. pattern. The people who do The people who do The people who do well long well long well long-term aren’t the-term aren’t the-term aren’t the ones with ones with ones with the most the most the most matches or matches or matches or the slickest the slickest pickup the slick pickup lines. lines. They’reest pickup lines. They’re They’re the ones who treat people decent the ones who treat people decent the ones who treat people decently.ly.ly. Sounds simple because it is Sounds simple because it is Sounds simple because it is simple. simple. Word simple. Word Word gets around gets around gets around. If. If you’re. If you’re you’re known known known as someone who’s respectful, as someone who’s respectful, as someone who’s respectful, clear about clear about clear about intentions, intentions, and not intentions, and not and not a a drama a drama drama magnet magnet magnet, people, people will actually, people will actually will actually seek seek seek you out. I you out. I’ve seen you out. I’ve seen’ve seen it it happen it happen happen.
So>So>So here’s here’s my actual here’s my actual strategy advice my actual strategy advice strategy advice. Don. Don’t try to meet. Don’t try to meet’t try to meet someone someone someone new every week. That’s new every week. That’s new every week. That’s exhausting and honestly, the exhausting and honestly, the returns diminish fast. exhausting and honestly, the returns diminish fast. Instead returns diminish fast. Instead, find Instead, find, find 2 2 2-3-3-3 people who want people who want people who want the same the same thing you the same thing you want and who thing you want want you and who and who you actually actually enjoy you actually enjoy spending enjoy spending spending time with time with time with. Not. Not. Not just just just sex sex sex — the whole — the whole — the whole package. Conversation package. package. Conversation, hanging, hanging Conversation out, out,, hanging out, maybe the occasional dinner maybe the occasional dinner maybe the.. occasional dinner. Treat them Treat them Treat them like real like real like real human beings, human beings, human beings, not just not just bodies not just bodies. In bodies. In. In return, you return, return, get you you get consistency. get consistency. consistency. You get trust. You You get trust. You You get trust. You get better get better get better sex, honestly sex, sex, honestly, because honestly, because, because you learn you learn what you learn what what each other each other each other likes. > > RotRotRotate between venues soate between venues soate between venues so you don you don you don’t burn’t burn’t burn out any single out any single out any spot. spot. single Hilton Hilton spot. Hilton one one one week, week, week, Gate the Gate the Gate the next, next, next, maybe maybe maybe an event an event in Rock an event in Rock in Rockingham theingham theingham the week week after week after. after.. Keep your Keep your Keep your app app app profiles active profiles active profiles active but but don but don’t obsess over don’t obs’t obsess over them.ess over them. Check Check them once a them once a day, day, them. Check them once a day, respond to messages, respond to messages, respond to messages, then put then put then put your your your phone away phone away phone away. The people. The people. The people who are glued to who are glued to who are glued to dating dating dating apps apps all day give off desperate apps all day give off desperate all day give off desperate energy. energy. energy. Don Don Don’t be’t be’t be that person that person that person.
Most>Most importantly —>Most importantly — importantly — and and and I can’t stress this enough — know I can’t stress this enough — know I can’t stress this enough — know when to when to take a when to take a take a break. break. Casual dating can become Casual dating can become break. Casual dating can become compulsive compulsive compulsive… The chase becomes The chase becomes The chase becomes its its its own reward. You own reward. You own reward. You stop actually stop actually enjoying the connections because stop actually enjoying the connections enjoying the connections because you’re you’re because you’re always looking always looking always looking for the next one for the next one for the next one. If. If you notice yourself feeling anxious. If you notice yourself feeling anxious you notice yourself feeling anxious when when when you’re not sw you’re not sw you’re not swiping oriping oriping or planning your planning your next night planning your next night next night out, out, out, take a week off. Go take a take a week off to week off. Go to. Go to the gym the gym the gym. Call. Call a friend. Call a friend a friend. Do literally anything. Do literally anything else.. Do literally anything else. The else. The scene will The scene will scene will still be still be still be there when there when there when you you get back.
ppOne final> One final> One final thought. thought. thought. Kwinana is Kwinana is Kwinana is changing changing. New developments changing. New. New developments, developments, new people, new people new people moving in from Perth moving in from Perth moving in from Perth, new, new, new venues venues venues opening. opening. opening. The casual The casual The casual dating dating dating scene will evolve with scene will scene will evolve evolve with with it. What works today might not work it. What works today might not it. What works today might not work six six work six months from months from months from now. now. now. So So stay curious So stay curious. Stay adaptable.. Stay adaptable. And for stay curious. Stay adaptable. And for the love the love And for the love of everything of everything of everything, stay respectful, stay respectful, stay respectful… That’s That’s That’s not not just not just just good advice good advice good advice for dating for dating for dating… That’s That’s That’s good advice for life.
Now>Now go out>Now go out go out there — but not tonight there — but not tonight there — but not tonight. Tonight. Tonight. Tonight, just, just think, just think think about it about it about it. Tomorrow. Tomorrow’s. Tomorrow’s’s soon enough to soon soon make something enough to enough to make something happen.72>7.2>7..+How+Do+How+Do+I+Communicate+How+Do+I+Communicate+I+Communicate+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+That+I+Want+That+I+Want+Something+Casual+Without+Sound+Something+Casual+Without+Sounding+Creing+Cre+Without+Sounding+Creepyepy?+
2>2>8.8.+What+About8.+What+About+What+About+Age+Age+Age+Differences,+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Differences,+Power+Dynamics,+and+Power+Dynamics,+and+Other+Other+Other+Tric+Tric+Tricky+Situky+Situations?+
9+regret.
9+regret.
9..+What’s+the.+What’s+the+What’s+the+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+Best+Strategy+for+Finding+No-Commit+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Fun+for+Finding+No-Commitment+Funment+Fun+in+Kwinana+in+Kwinana+Long+in+Kwinana+Long-Term+Long-Term?