A guy’s guide to prom survival

LINDSAY EMMITE/Riverside

By Justin Wymer
St. Albans High School

Prom will be here before you know it, and though it’s generally girls who are consumed with pre-prom preparation, there are some things guys can do to help the big night go smoothly.

Pre-prom preparations

First, you have to find a date. Even if you don’t agree with it, it’s a guy’s job to ask and also to buy the tickets. Get the tickets in advance because they’re usually cheaper, giving you more money for other prom expenses.

Once you’ve found a date, and she’s found a dress, order a color-coordinated corsage. Also, make dinner reservations early — the best restaurants fill up quickly and you’d probably hate to end up eating prom dinner at McDonald’s.

If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to meet your date’s parents before prom so that they won’t think you’re just a strange, testosterone-crazed boy. On prom night, it’s also a good idea to give them all your contact information in case they need to reach one of you.

Finally, you want to look good for your date. If you have acne, scrub it. If you’re a dirty person, start taking regular showers. Smelling good is important, too, but on the night of the dance, don’t douse yourself in cologne.

What to wear

You show know the color of your date’s dress at least a month in advance so you can coordinate your outfit. The color of your tie and/or shirt should match or at least compliment the girl’s dress. It would be a sin to wear red if your date is sporting an orange gown.

Also, remember to consider patterns in this coordination effort. Don’t don stripes if she has flowers or plaid if she wears plain colors. It’s her night, so don’t make her miserable and hating you because you didn’t think to match your outfit to hers.

Tuxedos can be rented at any men’s formalwear retailer, like Casual Male, Value City or S&K Menswear. Discount tuxes can even be found at Goody’s for under $100.

And for goodness sake, don’t wear brown shoes with a black tux!

What to bring

Just bring the basics. That includes things like money, breath mints, a camera and, oh yeah, your date’s corsage. Also, you probably want to stash a set of clothes in your ride to change into once the dance is over.

Pictures

Most girls — and some guys — think this is the most important part of prom. A picture will capture the night so it can be remembered vividly for years to come. Have pictures taken before the dance either by the photographer at the site or by a private photographer somewhere else. Couples should also split the cost of the picture package evenly so that neither person has to shoulder the cost alone.

Rules for the big night

• Be prepared for anything to go wrong, but don’t expect it. Think positive, and keep an open mind.

• Don’t check out other girls. You date may slap or leave you, thus wasting your time, money and feelings. (You’d look like a jerk, too.)

• Be polite but not boring. It’s one thing to be cordial but another to sound like a recording of “Etiquette for Dummies.”

• You don’t want to be a wallflower, but if you can’t dance, don’t. It’s better to seem shy than to look like an orangutan with epilepsy.

• Though you can dance with other girls if she permits it, it’s best to give your date first dibs on all dances. Even if you’re a horrible dancer (as described above), you should still slow-dance with your date.

• Don’t go to prom with someone you don’t like. It would be a night of pretty flowers, colorful dresses...and emotional hell.

After-prom

Prior to the day of prom, you and your date should decide if you want to hang out somewhere after prom. This should be a joint decision - neither one of you should make it alone.

Some examples of after-prom activities include bowling, theatrical or rented movies, a walk in the park beneath the stars or even a late-night trip to Wal-Mart if nothing else seems interesting. Also, some schools sponsor post-prom events.

And make sure that you don’t make a fool of yourself by getting completely drunk. The last thing you want is to be remembered as the guy who got so trashed that he danced around the living room wearing a lampshade...or worse.

Expense guide

Prom tickets (both): $50
Corsage: $20
Dinner (both): $65
Tuxedo rental: $125
Pictures: $60
Gasoline: $5
Bowling (3 games): $6

Total: $331