So most of you out there that know me in real life are very well aware that I have no problem talking about things that most other people would fine shameful, like walks of shame, but this was the first thing that popped into my mind when I decided I wanted to make a new post. The other day I was on the phone with one of my girl friends from back in high school and this topic came up. If anyone in the world knows my walk of shame horror stories, it is this girl. I have been calling her at awkward hours of the night/morning since I was a freshman at my first college (well maybe a little before then..) We laugh. We cry. We have some awkward pauses. But, all-in-all, I always have a fun story to tell. While discussing my walks of shame from past and present, I realized one thing – “It Does Get Better” (thanks, Trevor Project). But really, you pick up a few tips and trick along the way and I figured I would share them with you. Thanks to life experience and a lot of judgement from on-lookers, my walks of shame have successfully gone from “Lindsay Lohan circa dating Samantha Ronson” to “Mary Kate Olson circa 1 month out of rehab”. I still get the occasional maternal-instinct judgy stares from the 65-year-old Chanel clad women in Society Hill walking their miniature dogs in the morning, but at least now the counter people at Starbucks understand my struggles. Here’s some tips:
1. Accessories to hide the shame – hats and sunglasses. If you have a feeling that you are going to end up walking half-way across the city early in the morning while functional members of society are on their way to office jobs, try to bring these things along with you. This usually only works when it is a pre-planned walk of shame (and where’s the fun in that?)
2. Gum. In the words of Cady Heron, “I have really bad breath in the morning.” Most of us do, let’s face it, morning breath is not cute. No matter how much you go out of your way not to, you may actually need to speak to someone during this long voyage home. You probably already look shameful enough for this innocent casualty. Try not to smell awkward too….
3. Simple outfits. Simple outfits make morning walks home a lot less awkward. You may even be able to blend in with the rest of society. However, if you are like me and dress in theme outfits or simply wear a lot less clothing at night than anyone ever should before 11 PM, this is more difficult to plan out.
4. Morning coffee. You’re probably tired from all of that.. umm… exercise (yeah we’ll use that word) that you got last night. Coffee will help! Also, it will make you look more like you are getting ready to face the day and less like you are on your way home to finally sleep from the night prior. Keep in mind that the more expensive the coffee is, the classier people will assume that you are. I like to go with a Venti iced coffee from Starbucks because it gives my appearance more of a Mary Kate/Britney edge.
5. Stay on your phone (as long as your battery is still alive)! Look down at your iPhone, browse Facebook, follow me on Instagram (@thatjimkid), do some online shopping, anything. Avoid eye-contact with people and look busy all at the same time! In people’s minds, it adds the possibility that you are checking work e-mails and being productive. It also makes the venture home seem shorter. Having your head phones in also helps. Keep the volume down low to avoid worsening that 8 am headache that I know you have.
I mean, logically, you could always just take a cab home, but where’s the fun in that? No stories. No judgement. You would be taking away the joyful reminiscing that those businessmen (and women) feel as they pass you and remember their younger years. That’s just selfish of you! Plus, it’s summer time and a little exercise never killed anyone! So, have a great summer, kids! Maybe I’ll bump into you at 9 AM somewhere in the city. Don’t say hi. We’ll pretend it never happened…
And I know that gays can’t get pregnant or anything, but safe sex is great sex. (That is my public service announcement for the week)