Original goal of prom was to experience etiquette

Prom etiquette

Linda Weprin, founder of the Midwest School of Etiquette in Dayton, notes there are several etiquette lessons that proms can help teach. They include:

How to dress: Guys do not have to wear a tuxedo, but should have a nice suit with a white shirt and nice tie. Young ladies are free to wear short or long gowns. There is no "rule" as to what to wear, but it should be in good taste and be dressy.

How to order flowers: Call the florist and identify yourself, be specific as to what you want or give them the price range you want to stay within. Check with your date as to the dress color and see what type of flower she wants: wrist, hair, purse, or maybe none at all. Ask when you should pick them up because some florists close early on Saturdays.

How to pick up your date: Go to the door, introduce yourself, be polite, start up a conversation. If you want to sit down, ask first. Compliment your date.

How to eat at a formal table: Start with the outermost silverware and work in toward the plate.

It’s prom season, a time of year that often arrives with concerns over student behavior.

Though there have been no controversies in our area, many area high schools have felt it necessary to make rules prohibiting certain actions on prom dance floors. And, of course, the prom is often a time where kids can get into trouble with alcohol.

Neither of those things were what the origins of the prom intended.

The first proms derived from the middle class following the tradition of the upper class’ debutante balls, said Linda Weprin, founder of Midwest School of Etiquette in Dayton.

“Middle class parents envied and admired the grace and manners of the debutantes and wanted the same for their children,” Weprin said. “So prom came about in order to have an event where teens could dress up and have dinner and learn social etiquette.”

For the past two years Weprin has tried to run an etiquette course for prom-goers. She runs courses for businesses and even children, but teenagers expressed little interest so her prom classes were canceled.

“The original purpose for the prom has been lost over time,” Weprin said. “This is a great opportunity to talk about respect for your date and appropriate behavior at the restaurant.

For many its their first time at a formal or expensive restaurant.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2216 or kmargolis@Dayton DailyNews.com.