Never just stay in your vehicle,honking your horn for your date.Walk up to the door and knock,or ring the doorbell,and introduce yourself to your date’s parents politely and respectfully if they don’t already know you.The girl/lady should be the first person whom her date sees when she knocks on the door.It is also a part of prom experience to let both sets of parents take photos of the prom couple.The easiest way to do this is to pre-designate one of the couple’s homes for both sets of parents to meet and take the photographs.This should be arranged well in advance so that the parents could prepare their home for the guests and an area to take pictures.To avoid some accidents that will delay the time you should do the above things as simple as possible.Although the prom night is very special and important,parents will need to establish a curfew that falls within the boundaries of their family.It is suggested that both sets of the parents talk to each other in advance of prom night and let each other know what their expectations are in regards to the prom time schedule and the events that their daughter and son will be attending.Just a short talk between the parents may work well in avoiding any misunderstanding or miscommunications on the prom night.Additionally,both sets of the parents should obtain the contact information for their daughter or son’s dates,date’s parents,friends and friend’s parents in case of any emergency.
■Picking up Your Date
If you drive your own car to the prom,remember to clean both the interior and exterior of your car in order to show your respect and courtesy to your date.Remember that the prom dress can and will pick up dirt from anywhere in or on a car.Ensure to fill up your car with gas in advance of the beginning of the prom evening.Nothing is in poorer taste than stopping on the way to or from a prom,and no parent would believe that you“ran out of gas”.
■Limousines
If you think of renting a limousine for your prom,you should realize that it might be the most expensive item in your prom budget.Consider sharing your limousine with some other couples to reduce the cost.A limo can really add much to the special atmosphere of the prom night,but it should be reserved well in advance.Not only the type and the size of the limo but also the time of being used will affect the rental price,and you should also bear in mind that some of the companies do not accept prom reservation.Keep in mind the following tips of limousine manners:
◇It is not allowed to smoke or drink in most limousines.
◇The lady should enter the limo first; while the gentleman should get out first and then helps the lady.
◇Sometimes the professional driver opens the limo door for you and your date.The driver will take you to the prom,to the restaurant and,if OK with your parents,to an after-prom party,and then back home.
◇People in the movies always stand in the moon roof when the limo is moving down the street.In fact,it is very dangerous and illegal.Your driver may gladly allow you to stand in the moon roof to take pictures after he parks the limo legally.
It is a common practice to tip the limo driver at the end of the night,though the rental cost has already covered the tips.100 dollars is the current going rate for a nice tip for a limo drive.