The Polite One's Insights

Frequently Asked Prom Etiquette Questions As an etiquette consultant, I receive many of the same questions around Prom time. What follows are the most often-asked questions with my replies. Question When is the best time to ask my date for the prom ? Answer Your date needs plenty of time to shop for the perfect attire. Therefore, it's best to ask your date at least two months before the date of the prom. If your date is not from your school, inform him or her of the expected formality of attire. Question Our group -- about 10 of us -- wants to extend our evening after the Prom. Our wish is to rent a room at a local hotel . What is best? Answer I can imagine that this is every parent's nightmare: teens spending the night at a hotel without chaperones. It may be best to organize an after-party at someone's home. Alternatively, your school might be interested in hosting this. A number of high schools host a closed-door all-night event after the prom. Local businesses...

If dining in a restaurant Make reservations well in advance. Mind your manners--be quiet. Brush up on your table manners beforehand. Talk to each other! Allow each other time to speak.   Listen and don't interrupt.   Don't broach these topics: former loves, bodily functions, complaints, religion, and politics. At the Prom Don't ditch your date .   Enter and dance the first and last dance with your date.   Behave like a gentleman and lady. She sits first and enters all rooms before him unless she is at his side.   Unbreakable Rules Stay sober . Turn off the cellphones--no texting. Don’t break up with your date that day! Please Read Everyday Manners: Middle Schoolers Teach Us About Manners Anti-Clueless Advice: How To Plan The Perfect Graduation Party Prom Etiquette: Planning a Perfect Prom Q & A 

  Events of Prom night are often burned into our memory like a movie that plays repeatedly throughout our lifetime.  Therefore, planning well is extremely important as I detailed in a previous article .   Even more important than planning well is remembering your manners, displaying courtesy toward your date, and realizing the etiquette expected of you.  So, gentlemen and ladies, let's get our game faces on!  It's time for Prom! Covid Warning: This advice is based on all of us being protected from a deadly virus.  Please be safe and wait until it is safe to socialize.   If Dining at a Restaurant As I mentioned in my previous article, it is perfectly appropriate to dine at home with your date.   However, if going to a restaurant , there are etiquette rules to note.   Most importantly, remember your basic manners.   One of which is to walk to your date's door to pick her up.   Don't just honk your horn. ...

  Although snow may still lie on the ground, it's time to begin planning for your prom.   There are many decisions to make, from transportation, attire, and dinner. Most importantly, who will be your date?   Covid Warning: This advice is based on all of us being protected from a deadly virus.  Please be safe and wait until it is safe to socialize.   How to Begin? If you decide to go, ask your date, or accept an invitation early. This gives you time to coordinate your attire.   Additionally, if your date is from another school, inform him/her of the proper attire. May I go to the Prom alone? There is nothing wrong in attending solo or with a group of friends.   In fact, this might be preferable as there is less stress; you don't have to try to please anyone.   If attending with friends, include them in the transportation and dinner planning.   How will you get there? Hiring a limousine is a popular option but can be awfully e...