Sure, the Mardi Gras gods have cursed us by making Fat Tuesday fall on the 13th of February. Luckily, you have a week of partying before you need to feel the societal pressure to shack up with a boo on the 14th. That being said, you might feel inclined to use your Carnival week as a chance to flirt and find a quick fling to spend Tequila Sunrise with. Here are my tips as a Mardi Gras veteran for how to avoid heartbreak, emotional burnout, and embarrassment during the big week.
- Do NOT base your schedule around your love life.
As nice as it is to flirt, and potentially get lucky, Mardi Gras is not the time to become obsessed with a new fling. I promise you, it will ruin your week. You should only make the effort to see your love interest if it is mutually planned, and works within both your schedules. The worst mistake you can make is missing Bacchus to get boned by someone you just met. The odds of that relationship lasting are slim, by the way.
- Be careful with whom you flirt.
Tulane is the epicenter of partying during Mardi Gras. For that reason, many people come to visit from all over the country. Though it might be fun to hook up with someone you just met, you should always be cautious of strangers. Sex trafficking and other sex crimes are very prevalent during Mardi Gras. While you shouldn’t be living in fear, it is crucial to be aware of who you choose to trust. This may seem obvious, but when you have been drinking, sometimes smart decisions aren’t always made. Keep a lookout for your own safety and the safety of those around you. As always, if you see something, say something.
- Watch out for @mardigrasmakeouts23!
Careful when you’re kissing in public… you might get sniped by the paparazzi. Mardi Gras Makeouts on Instagram has eyes everywhere, always on the lookout for the nasty. When you’re smooching, just make sure it’s somewhere a bit more private… unless you’re into that sort of thing.
- There are families everywhere…
In a similar vein, try to refrain from hooking up in public. A peck is fine, but for the sake of the children, nobody needs to see your hands in anyone’s pants. NOPD is also very strict during Carnival season, so public intimacy could earn you a few nights in jail. While the bright lights, alcohol, and excitement of Mardi might make you feel things, just wait until you’re back in your dorm!
- Do not take an outfit as consent.
This also should be a given, but in NOLA it often isn’t. At Tulane, we all love to dress up and show off our bodies. As fun as it is to wear assless chaps and pasties, people often take showing off skin as an invitation to touch. Be on guard while in public, and NEVER assume that anyone wants you to touch them. Ask for consent, and unless it is enthusiastically given, mind your own business!
- Remember that consent cannot be given while intoxicated.
It is no secret that there is a plethora of alcohol and substances available during Carnival season. While nobody can stop you from using drugs and hooking up, it is important to remember that unless you are sober, consent cannot be freely given. Trust must be involved in a physical relationship, and that trust cannot be formed if someone is blacked out. Be conscientious of who you are flirting with and their state of intoxication. Make smart decisions and always err on the side of caution.
- Don’t be heartbroken.
When you see your crush making out with someone else, it can be soul crushing. Though saying “don’t be sad” sounds like crappy advice, it really is accurate during Mardi Gras. This event only happens once a year, so you should truly try to focus on the fun with your friends. If your person-of-interest is hooking up with someone else, they probably weren’t your soulmate to begin with. Make Mardi about you and your friends, not some asshole wearing a basketball jersey.
- Go home. Don’t sleep over.
While it can be fun to spend the night with a lover, you really need your rest this week. People always say that Mardi Gras is a “marathon, not a sprint,” and honestly, they’re right. Sleeping over at a stranger’s house can throw you off your game. Get some good shut eye in your own bed. It’ll keep you on track for your pregame plans and schedule for the rest of the week.
- Have an escape plan.
If you are sleeping over at someone’s house, you should check ahead to see how you’ll get back to campus. Zones of the city are often blocked off by parade routes, so Ubers can be unreliable and expensive. Never sleep at someone’s house without telling your friends where you are, and make sure you know the area! Mardi Gras is not the time to adventure out alone with your new lover.
- Use protection!
Even if it’s a condom thrown from a parade float, anything is better than nothing. If you’re sleeping with a stranger during Mardi Gras, you should always be safe rather than sorry. The last thing you want is funk in your junk while trying to enjoy a parade. And if you do choose to indulge before lent… get tested after the festivities are done!
About Magdalena Saliba
Magdalena is a Co-Editor for Sex and the Crescent City, as well as a member of the photo and graphic design teams. She’s a Junior double majoring in Art History and Studio Art. She loves shopping for cool pants, watching The Sopranos over and over again, and making pasta from scratch.
Magdalena is a Co-Editor for Sex and the Crescent City, as well as a member of the photo and graphic design teams. She’s a Junior double majoring in Art History and Studio Art. She loves shopping for cool pants, watching The Sopranos over and over again, and making pasta from scratch.
