Things started great, you’d go out with your friends and get a little crazy. At the end of the night while stumbling back to your pad, you send a booty call to that guy or lady who makes your gears turn, you two meet up a late night romp, and when you wake up they’re gone, just in time for you to grab a bowl of Fruit Loops and nurse your hangover with Saturday morning cartoons.

But recently, you’ve noticed they’ve been hanging around a little longer, inviting you to breakfast, calling in the middle of the afternoon asking if you wanna “grab some coffee,” and your 6th sense (the sense of cling) is tingling. You’ve gotta cut this clinger off, and quickly, and then follow BCU’s rules for avoiding this situation next time.

1. Keep the conversation like the sex: casual

Your childhood memories, your mom’s favorite color, your hopes and dreams- these interesting topics of conversation need not be shared with your casual friend. They might know your favorite food or the sex position you like, but beyond that, keeping the conversation casual will ensure you don’t think of your booty call as anything but that.

2. No dates

Sure you can meet up for a drink before, or casually hang out with friends, but a romantic dinner, a movie, or a morning coffee date are not part of the booty call protocol. The second you start meeting up without the intention of ending the night at one of your homes, you’ve veered off Booty Call Avenue onto Relationship Road.

3. No gifts

Unless it’s some fancy glitter condoms or a fancy sex toy- keep your mix CDs and flowers for your mom. There is no reason to start sending mixed signals to someone you have no intention of dating exclusively. (Unless of course, you do plan on it, in which case you are at the wrong site.)

4. Keep your options open

Just because you have a reliable booty call for the night doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes open.  Getting lazy with a booty call is just as bad as finding yourself six months into a relationship on the couch watching Law and Order reruns. By keeping your options open, you’ll guarantee you don’t get emotionally attached to one person.

5. Be safe

Birth control and condoms are two seriously important ways to be sure your casual sex remains casual. Nothing will put a damper on a life of strings-free booty calls like finding out you’ve gotten the clap or are pregnant with triplets. Be safe, along with following our other rules, and you’ll be sure to keep your fantastic casual sex relationship just that. Casual!