Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Drunk People Like To Have Sex At Holiday Parties, Says Science
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Nov 29, 2011
Modified Nov 29, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Nov 29, 2011
Modified Nov 29, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Normally, we don't spend that much time perusing South African newspapers, but every once in a while, something pops up that's worthy of international attention: several doctors report that people like to get drunk at office holiday parties and have casual sex. Especially women, who apparently don't know how to deal with getting drunk and hooking up.
One doctor explains that alcohol is a testosterone stimulant and therefore women who get drunk are more likely to get crazy. "Dealing with the bravado that testosterone produces is not a common experience to women and they rarely know how to cope with it. That is why most women become out of control after drinking alcohol," Dr. Rodney Smith claims. And once women are "out of control," they're pretty much helpless to defend themselves against aggressive men who feel "powerful" after drinking too much themselves. Whether or not you think this veers a little too close to despicable "asking for it" mentality, you can probably guess what comes next: Smith says STDs and pregnancies skyrocket in December and January following the holiday party high season.
Then the Sowetan, which caused quite a stir this summer over a front page photo of two uniformed police officers caught on tape having sex, offers a halfhearted tip sheet for "staying safe this festive season." Suggestions include "leave a note for yourself at the front door" regarding birth control, "use a condom" if you're so drunk you're puking up the pill, and "don't drink on an empty stomach." Or, you could ignore these fearmongering reports and keep it classy at the office party instead. [via Fork in the Road]
Tagged
alcohol
holiday party
pregnancy
safe sex
sex
stds
women
Jamie Feldmar
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .