|
Prom is the time in a young man’s life when he will get cleaned up, get a hair cut, put on a spanking new suit or tuxedo, and go to an elegant dinner and dance with a beautiful girl on his arm. For many young people, prom incites visions of being at the Academy Awards or even a wedding. Every young person imagines being the best looking and best dressed one at the prom, and usually they get their wish: they all look wonderful. But most young men haven’t thought about prom nearly as much as their female counterparts. While girls begin thinking about dressing up for prom years before they can actually go, boys often don’t give it a thought until the spring of their junior year when the girls in their life begin talking about it.
Following are a few tips and suggestions for young men as they prepare for prom.
1. Choose your date. This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but the idea is to choose your date wisely. Many young women have an unreal expectation about prom, much like a wedding day. They may view an invitation to the prom as the next best thing to a formal engagement. If you have a steady girlfriend or a girl you’re comfortable with, by all means, take her to the prom; but if there is a girl who simply has a crush on you and would look pretty on your arm, think carefully before you invite her.
2. Consider the cost. You will need to either buy or rent a tuxedo or dressy suit for the prom. Most young men find it more cost effective to rent a tuxedo, especially if they want to get a bow tie and/or cummerbund to match their date’s dress. In addition to the tuxedo, costs will include tickets to the prom, dinner, a corsage for the date, a limousine rental (optional), and photographs. Girls often help with the cost, but not always. If the young man was invited by a girl, he may assume she will cover some of the cost, but if he was the one to initiate an invitation, he should assume he will pay for everything and then just be pleasantly surprised if the date contributes.
3. Make dinner reservations early. At prom time, the finer restaurants fill up with reservations, as many schools often have prom on the same night. If there is a particular restaurant you would like to go to on prom night, call at least a month in advance for reservations, and confirm your reservation a few days before the big night.
4. Consider going in a group. Often a group of couples will share the cost of a limousine and enjoy a fun dinner together before the prom. If the young man doesn’t know his date well, this can help to break the ice and ensure a comfortable time for all.
5. Prepare for the unexpected. Even the most responsible young men may find themselves in a difficult situation involving alcohol, drugs, or inappropriate behavior. Young men should plan to carry a cell phone, if possible, or at the least have a list of phone numbers to call in the event of an emergency.
With good planning and preparation, prom night can be a special evening in the life of a young man; one he won’t soon forget.
|
| |
