Prom Reminders

Dear Cotillion Students,

I hope that you are well and have a fun weekend planned. Every spring I receive emails from students with questions about their upcoming proms. Prom and prom events are planned to celebrate wonderful times in high school in a safe and memorable way! This week’s email is specifically for my older high school students, but all of you might find something useful as the end of the school year is often full of special events. 

Ladies and gentlemen know that good manners add to the celebration and make it even more special!

Mrs. Achiu’s Pre-Prom Primer and Other Special Occasion Reminders:

REMEMBER TO:

• Extend the invitation in advance. (You can be creative!)
• Accept promptly, and graciously. If you have another date or other plans, and cannot accept, make sure that you are very kind and leave them with their pride intact. To be invited to prom or any other event is a ‘gift’, recognize it and treat it as such.
• Call to confirm plans, times, arrangements, etc. Check to see what time your date’s curfew is, always be respectful of family rules.
• Be sure that you check your own appearance carefully. You want to be the one to find the tag on your clothes, the unzipped zipper, the stain, the hole, etc.
• Gentlemen, if your hands tend to sweat, put a Kleenex in both your right and left jacket or pants pockets to blot your hands on, this will help to keep them dry.
• Remember, he who invites – pays! If you extend the invitation, remember your wallet.
• If you were invited, it’s still a good idea to have emergency cash with you.
• Have your phone fully charged – BUT, please don’t use your phones during the evening, except for taking pictures or in an emergency.
• BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT! OR YOU WILL MISS IT.
• Order flowers in advance.
• When you pick up flowers, make sure to keep them refrigerated until you are ready to give them to your date or escort.
• Be on time.
• Be ready on time.
• A gentleman ALWAYS goes to the door for a lady, he never ever honks or texts for her to come out.
• A lady waits for a gentleman to come to the door, she allows him to have the opportunity to be a gentleman.
• Make sure that you introduce your date/escort to parents and family members and others that you meet throughout the course of the evening.
• When safe to do so, Escort Position Please!
• Gentlemen, remember to help her with her coat. Ladies remember to let them help you.
• Gentlemen, remember to open all doors for ladies and to help them in and out of cars. Ladies, remember to be patient and to allow them to do this service for you.
• Be patient when parents want to take pictures. This is a special time for them, too, and you will always be glad that you have the pictures.
• In restaurants, the lady follows the host/hostess. If there is no one to show you to your table, the gentleman goes first.
• Be courteous to the wait staff. Do not make an unnecessary mess for them to deal with.
• Be aware of your table manners! (See your cotillion workbooks for a refresher.)
• NO PHONES OUT AT THE TABLE.
• Be courteous to the other guests in the restaurant, keep your volume down.
• Be sure to leave an appropriate tip.
• Remember to have a few mints with you for after dinner.
• Include others in the fun. There is always room to include a new friend or someone that might not be included otherwise.
• Enter into ‘the spirit of the party’. If you decide to have fun, you will have a great time and you will make it more fun for all those around you.
• Express gratitude frequently – every time you are shown a courtesy! Make sure that you express gratitude to your escort, parents, chaperones and to anyone else that does something nice for you.
• Gentlemen always see a lady to the door and make sure that she is safely inside at the end of the evening, before departing.
• Try to plan prom with other couples. It is safer and more fun that way.
• A goodnight kiss is not required. The pleasure of your company is more than enough. (Don’t roll your eyes!)
• Make good choices. Do not give into peer pressure. Unwise short-term pleasures often lead to long term pain.
• If you ever find yourself in an inappropriate situation, LEAVE. Ask your date to take you home. If they are not willing, call your parents. Have the courage to do what is right. Treat yourself with that level of respect, you deserve it.
• Remember who you are and be your best self – even when you are nervous. Have fun! This is a great time of life, enjoy every minute of it!

I hope that you have something wonderful to celebrate this month! (I’d love to see your prom pictures.)

Love,

Mrs. Achiu