In cruising you carve out these intimacies from public spaces. All of Whitman's poems are about cruising. All of Whitman's poems are about walking through the crowded streets of Manhattan and finding that one person with whom he can have an intimate encounter which, even though it is fleeting, has an infinite significance.

Sometimes we all need to be reminded of something we already know - like to go to bed at a reasonable hour, or to say no to that last shot of tequila. Men and women really do have differences beyond our anatomy, which we all know (of course) but often forget (when our emotions are involved).

Casual sex is not the only pitfall. We all know that not all committed relationships work out, either. But without that commitment -- that mutual desire to try to make it last -- you are taking an even bigger chance with your happiness.

There's nothing wrong with it, if that's what you're into.