How to Go Clubbing the Safe Way

Clubbing has been around for ages as a means to gather and socialize, a place where people of every walk of life come together to exchange ideas, to meet other people, to look for that special someone, and above all to have a good time. Although clubbing has its place as a public forum it can be dangerous, turning what was supposed to be a night on the town into a night you would rather forget. Today I am going to give some tips on some of the safest ways to enjoy your favorite watering hole or dance club.

When it comes to being safe at a bar or clubs some of the simplest things to be careful of are often overlooked. I hate to say it but when going out the world is like an African grassland watering hole, all the patrons going to the club suddenly become prey as predators lurk both inside and outside the establishment. To make yourself a much more unlikely target never go to the club alone, go with at least one more other people, friends, significant others, even siblings will make you so much less appealing when a potential predator can't over power you.

Another thing to be aware of is parking. I know it doesn't seem very hazardous at all, but it's not so much the act of parking its more the location. When going out to your favorite club the surrounding area can be very congested with pedestrians and other motorists, parking can get pretty scarce. It is crucial that when finding a place to park that it be as close to the destination as possible and in a well lit area, limiting the amount of footwork involved can detour muggers, pickpockets, and rapists. Try to avoid places such as alleys and parks, the safest places are the ones with the most people, spending an extra few minutes to find a spot on the street or in a parking garage could be the difference between life and death.

Ok, we have our friends and our parking spot the next thing we should do is prepare to enter the club. A lot of patrons take too much into clubs which is how it becomes very easy for it to become lost, stolen, or just plain ruined. All hats, gloves, coats, purses, and unessential eye ware should be left at home or in the car. I really stress leaving purses at home. A stolen purse can potentially ruin the owners life, inside is usually a wealth of personal and financial information that will allow a thief to apply for credit cards and loans using the victims information and can take years for the victim to clear up. The only that should be taken to a bare or club that isn't being worn by men or women is a small bill fold containing only your state issued identification card and a debit or credit card. Although both cash and credit cards are easily stolen if someone takes your credit card you can cancel it and any unauthorized charges and fees accumulated by those charges will be fully reimbursed. Also when using a debit or credit card it will allow you a clear picture of just how much you spent should you become inebriated.

Now the next thing to really watch out for is drinking, I'm not going to preach about the evils of alcohol and bore everyone with grizzly tales of ruined families and sad drunk driving stories. I am actually sort of in the middle in my opinion of drinking, I believe it is fun and helps many people loosen up and relax so they can have a good time. Moderation is the key and with the prices that most bars charge for bottom shelf mixed drinks its really easy to moderate. Drinking too much can cause some problems, you can spend more money that you really want to. You can get totally sloshed and have your friends the next day explain how the night before you were a total ass and that you have a black eye and can barely walk because you groped a random stranger who then kicked you in groin and punched you out. This is where the inside predators come in to play. Once someone starts showing signs of relatively intoxicated they are perfect for getting them to go even further. This is something that both men and women should be aware of. When you meet someone in a bar and they nurse a drink or two while excessively buying you drinks a red flag should go up in your head. You should ask yourself what is that person's intention of getting you drunk is. Another thing to look out for is being drugged. GHB (Gamma hydroxy butyrate) and ruffies are becoming more and more popular amongst bar dwelling predators, these are the two most common date rape drugs on the scene. These drugs are used to knock people out, so that the rapists can then drag the person out of the bar under the guise that they are helping an intoxicated friend home. Usually once outside the bar the victim is taken to a secluded area (back alley, bushes, dark area behind a dumpster) and the rapist then proceeds to do whatever he wants to with unconscious victim. It is fairly easy to protect against being drugged. Don't let strangers bring drinks to you, don't ever let your drink out of your field of vision, be aware of what a drink should taste like. Most date rape drugs have significantly salty taste, which most drinks don't cover well unless salt is used in their creation.

Well we have had a few drinks, we have met some interesting people, we have had some stimulating conversation, and danced until our legs hurt. It's time to head home, but are you ready? You don't have to worry about collecting a lot of things since you left them in the car, but are you ready to drive? Usually if you have had more than two drinks the answer is no even if you feel completely sober. One thing I have noticed is that many bars not wanting to be held liable for drunk driving issues and accidental death of their patrons have started staying open later to serve just coffee and juice for their customers who are trying to sober up. That is fine an all but when it comes to sobering up you should start drinking other things one to two hours before you are thinking of leaving. Although my favorite pub doesn't stay open later they serve free coffee from eleven PM to closing time. Once you are sober gather your friends and walk back to your vehicle, you shouldn't have too much more to worry about as you parked close in a well lit area. All you should have to do is drive home and watch for others who weren't smart enough to drink responsibly.

I hope this how to guide has been of some use and next time you go out you take the time to remember my advice as well as have a great time. If this article helps just one person it was well worth my time to write it.