Trudy Snaith’s etiquette dos and don’ts for prom night:

Dinner

Ladies, do follow the headwaiter to your table with your date behind you

Do use words like please and thank you

Ladies go out with a date that will pull out your chair at dinner

It is more important to leave your silverware in the correct ‘closed’ position when finished eating each course, than up or down.

Do use the bread plate to your left

Do turn your salad fork upside down on the salad plate when you are finished

Don’t turn your coffee cup upside down. If you don’t want coffee the waiter will usually remove the cup once you tell him.

Do put your napkin on your lap

Do place your napkin on the back of your chair if you are leaving to use the restroom

Ladies do eat your dinner

No grooming at the table. This means lipstick, hair, powder etc.

Don’t put your napkin on the table until you are finished eating

Ladies

Don’t forget your date’s boutonniere

Do be on time - don’t keep your nervous date waiting

Do be the first person your date sees when he knocks on the door

If the young lady doesn’t keep her date waiting long it’s alright for her parents or someone else to answer the door when he arrives.

There are occasions when a young lady walks ahead of her date such as entering theatres (behind the usher) or going up stairs.

Don’t forget to tell your date how handsome he looks

Do wear your best smelling perfume, although don’t over do it

Don’t fish for compliments

Do accept compliments with a polite “thank you”, rather than an “I don’t think so”

Do try on all dresses, accessories, and make-up at least a week in advance

Don’t break up with your boyfriend on the night or week of Prom

Do make all entrances with your date

Don’t walk ahead of or behind your date

Do wear a wrap or shawl over a strapless dress

Don’t wear rings over your gloves

Some experts say you should remove gloves when dancing but all agree that they should be removed for beverages and meals. Wearing any jewellery over the gloves might make removing them not as graceful as we would like to appear. Image is everything.

Don’t remove your gloves at any other time than dinner

Do reserve the first and last dance for your date

Do dance with others at your dance when asked, but do not abandon your date for the entire night!

Don’t leave your date to be with your friends the whole night, he has a lot of time invested in this night, make it special

Do make sure that you thank your date for dinner

Gentlemen

Don’t be late

Don’t forget the corsage

Do ask your date what colour her dress is so that you may match her corsage to her dress

Do ask your lady if she would prefer a wrist corsage or a pinned on corsage - when in doubt, opt for the wrist corsage

Don’t forget to tell her how beautiful she looks

Do pull out a lady’s chair

Don’t seat yourself while a lady is standing

Do stand when a lady stands to excuse herself

Do check your lady’s wrap for her at the hotel or restaurant

Don’t forget your wallet

Do wear your best smelling cologne, but don’t over do it

Don’t enter a room before a lady unless you are turning on a light for her

Do escort your lady whenever appropriate

Do make all entrances with your lady, not behind her and not in front of her

Do take dance lessons if you can’t dance

Don’t leave your date to be with your friends the whole night she spent a lot of time preparing for this night, make it special

Don’t break up with your girl friend on night or week of the prom

Do escort your date to the date’s doorstep at the end of the night

Dateless Dos and Don’ts

Do go with friends if you don’t have a date

For Everyone

Don’t drink and drive