As you may or may not know, East High’s prom takes place April 5, 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm at the Scottish Rite Ballroom. Prom is a big milestone of the high school experience. Prom is depicted in tv and movies in the 20th century as one of the biggest events of a person’s high school career. So when it gets to be spring again and people start talking about prom, it’s easy to feel lost and then screw up or simply not go. But don’t. This is your one stop shop guide for prom for the guys.
So where the hell did prom come from anyways? Proms evolved from 18th century debutante balls, which marked a young womens formal entry into society. Northeastern colleges and universities held these early proms as formal events that intended to teach young men and women proper etiquette and maneuvers. Prom is short for promenade which could mean many things related to dance and general show-offery. (USA Today)
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of promenade is, “A ceremonious opening of a formal ball consisting of a grand march of all the guests.”
LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR PROM
How to get a date – If you have a girlfriend or any kind of romantic relationship you can skip this step and move on to the next paragraph. The first thing guys think about but the last thing they want to act on in terms of prom is getting a date.
There are a few things to consider when deciding who to ask to prom: who you are interested in romantically, who would be fun to hang out with, who do you already know, and who would let you have a relatively unencumbered prom experience despite your having a date (If being dragged around taking photos all night isn’t your scene, don’t ask a photographer)?
Once you have picked someone you want to ask, go for it! Maybe don’t just randomly walk up to them and ask them if they want to go to prom with you, but when you do ask, be direct about it. Start off with casual conversation and then bring it up so as to not jar your person and decrease your chances of getting the date. With a little humor and some confidence, you could get a date to prom in no time. If your potential prom date seems like they want a promposal, you can get some Bristol board and a magic marker, a romantic pun (A Collection of Terrible Puns), some flowers, and present your date with these gifts and call it a day. But only prompose if you know for a fact, beyond a reasonable doubt that they will say yes.
But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have a date, just hanging out with your friends could be just as fun, if not more so, than an actual date. Don’t let the social pressure of having a date force you to go out with someone you aren’t interested in. Also, don’t be a freak when asking someone out. They aren’t obligated to say yes or anything just because you asked nicely.
How to dress – Generally, you will look as good as you feel and you should feel as good as you look. Prom is a formal dance meaning guys typically wear suits or tuxedos. When wearing a suit, you want dress pants, a matching suit jacket, a dress shirt, a necktie, a leather belt, and dress shoes (the belt and shoes should be the same color). A tuxedo typically consists of tuxedo pants, tux or dinner jacket, waist coat, a tuxedo shirt with either a wingtip or spread collar, a bowtie, and dress shoes or loafers.
You can either thrift a suit and tie or rent a tux depending on what your budget is (I bought my tux from Iraqi hustlers for around $90). Check any thrift store and there are a few places to rent tuxes in Lincoln (Men’s Warehouse) and (Shannon Formal Wear). You shouldn’t worry about knowing anything about how tuxes fit before you go to rent one because you will be measured for one when you go to pick one out.
However, if you are thrifting a suit, you are on your own. (But, since you read this article you will know how to get something that fits well.) The jacket needs to fit in the shoulders (like the end of the shoulder of the jacket should be even with your shoulder) and the sleeves of the jacket should hit mid palm. Don’t wear a clip on necktie as tying a tie (a windsor knot) is a life skill (How to tie a windsor knot). While it is important to look nice, so long as you’re having a good time, the clothes you are wearing don’t really matter. I’d rather be in blue jeans and a Hawiian shirt and having a blast than be in a satin tuxedo and miserable.
How to dance – One of the most important yet overlooked aspects of prom is the fact that it’s a dance. You might be tweaking out right now if you don’t know how or can’t dance or whatever you tell yourself to keep yourself off the dance floor, but it isn’t rocket science.
Prepare for the dancing part of prom by watching music videos or dance movies like “Footloose” or “West Side Story” to prove to yourself that dancing is cool (and maybe when you’re watching take note of some moves you could do.) When you’re actually at the dance just move to the music with your entire body, and let loose. So long as your dancing is not hurting anybody physically, mentally, or emotionally, it should be okay. But don’t be a freak. Even if it’s dark in there, you’re still in public.
How to go to prom if you don’t have a date – If you don’t want a date or were unable to get a date for the prom, don’t worry. Not having a date isn’t the end of the world.
“There are a lot of stories out there from folks who decided not to go to prom because they didn’t have a date. They felt shy, ashamed or embarrassed, which kept them from experiencing one of the most memorable nights of their lives,” said Men’s Wearhouse in their post “Can You Go to Prom without a date”
Enjoy hanging with your buddies but look approachable if you’re still interested, though bear in mind that most people who want dates probably already have them.
“A lot of people find that a date slows them down,” Leah Grace Welcome, Teen Vogue writer said in her article “I went to prom alone and this is what it was like.”
What to do after prom – There’s nothing the people running school dances/events love hitting students with more so than the ‘you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here’ line. Leave when you’re asked to, that’s all I can say, my guidance can only get you so far. I typically get some cheap Mexican food or something after dances, but what kind of food you have a hunger for is more up to personal preference. You are also encouraged to attend post prom, a thing the parents set up to prevent kids from drinking and partying. Entry is 20 dollars, they usually have games, prizes, food, and inflatable bounce structures, though do with that what you will.
MISCELLANEOUS THINGS I’VE LEARNED
Stick up for yourself – no means no. Consent goes both ways, brother.
Don’t sit around outside the Amigos at 70th and A after hours
Really plan out when you’re leaving the building the dance is held at because they will NOT let you back in once you leave
Don’t space out when getting photos taken. The quicker you lock in, the quicker it’s over (something I struggle with)
Some of the best made plans are the ones you make on the spot
Don’t dance so crazily that you make people think you are having a medical episode
