Everyone must have walked the infamous "walk of shame" at one time or another. You know that walk back to your dorm room, or the walk out a building to grab a taxi or your car while looking disheveled in the previous nights attire? When you walk down the street where you try not to make eye contact with anyone in fear that they will know that you have just had a one night stand? On the other hand, you could be making the "walk of fame" knowing that you just tagged that one person that you have had your eye on and dreamt about night after night. You might have the staggering hope that the one night stand was the beginning of a long and everlasting love affair, and you want to tell every person what you just accomplished. Individuals are apt to handle one night stands on an individual basis depending on circumstances, your state of mind, and most importantly, the other person.
The typical courtesy of a long courtship between two people generally goes out the window when it comes to a one night stand. Actions involved with a one night stand generally happen very quickly and emotions run high for a brief period of time. Decisions that are made during this period of time can either leave a person feeling elated or regretful, either way; there is no real proper etiquette when handling a one night stand. As I mentioned before, the other person in a one night stand has a lot to do with your actions throughout and immediately following a one night stand.
If you commit to a one night stand while under the influence or under peer pressure you may regret your decision immediately following your decision. However, you don't owe the other person any explanation or any more of your time if you don't want to be there. There is nothing wrong with walking out the door following a one night stand to escape the awkwardness of the situation and the disconnection with the other person. The one night stand probably happened as quickly as it was over under these circumstances, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with walking out on the other person while they are sleeping to avoid any further uncomfortable emotions. You are already going to have to live with your decision for the rest of your life so why spend one more second with another individual if you don't plan on developing any more of a relationship with them.
Let's not forget that the exact opposite could be the case following a one night stand. Two people can easily meet and develop a long lasting, loving relationship based off of a one night stand experience. You might have had your mind and heart set on a certain individual and a one night stand was your beginning. In this case, you would definitely want to stay through the night and take a chance on continuing your relationship the next day. If you want more than a one night affair, there is nothing wrong with expressing this to the other person. I'm not saying that you need to declare your love immediately, but exchange phone numbers and suggest another casual get together to take a step back and start with a new beginning. You never know what fortune in love that a one night stand could lead to in your future.
I think one night stands are more common than people think. Often times, one night stands are a taboo topic of conversation that might depend on your gender and what you consider achievements or failures. Sexuality in itself is an intense conversation and a one night stand can be increasingly uncomfortable to discuss with others. Under a familiar set of circumstances, I think some people will do everything in their power to keep the one night stand under wraps and any detail to themselves. In these situations, one night stands are heavily underreported.
People's perceptions of a one night stand vary from being downright despicable to acceptable and expected. Once again, the circumstances surrounding the one night affair have a lot to do with how other people perceive the situation. People can be extremely judgmental about a one night affair. If they know that you were under the influence and you can't remember the other person's name, they might assume that you are promiscuous and risky. However, if you ended up having a successful marriage or relationship with "the other person", people might view the one night stand acceptable. Other people's views tend to be unrealistic when it comes to a one night stand. This is especially true if they have not been in a similar situation.
It would be very difficult to create a rule book for a one night affair. With emotions running high and everything happening so quickly, rules and decision making tactics don't apply to your typical one night stand. One good rule to go by if you are ever in a one stand should simply be: if you are uncomfortable or feel awkward with your decision, leave at any time. You do not owe anyone anything. If you are comfortable with your decision and you feel a connection with your partner, then you can move forward from that point. You might want to pursue the relationship or you might want to spend the next day with your partner to make a more informed decision. Finally, you have no control over how other people perceive a one night affair. Just remember that you are the one that has to live with your decision no matter what other people think!