Too bad there is no "prom" in my country. Instead, we have a thing called "Wanhojen Tanssit". It's a rather formal dance party, if you will. Dressing in formal attire and dancing formal dances.
Well, I didn't take part in it. For one, it's nothing but a tradition. Traditions, in turn, are questionable at best. Also, the dresses are usually rented, which requires planning. And I dislike planning. Then there's the fact that all of the dances are pair dances or group dances. I don't like that either.
But more than anything else, the fact that the dances are performed for silly reasons. For one, it's a celebration due to the fact that we would be the oldest students in the school. I don't think that's a reason for celebration, specially since females usually don't like to age. Then the fact that it's performed to the parents and the lower class students. Neither of the audiences have any kind of extended knowledge of the dances, so they cannot properly evaluate the quality of the performance. Not to mention that they are likely to be inobjective at their conclusions.
However, I have nothing against dancing in itself. Actually, I like waltz a lot, despite it being a pair dance. Also, I've done break dance for several years, ever since I was 10 back in 2000. And lastly, I'm of the opinion that a proper gentleman has to know at least waltz. After all, a proper gentleman is always the one to propose for a dance. Not knowing how to dance and asking for a dance go against each other rather radically.
Actually, during the time the practice for the prom was taking place, I was asked by two people to take part in it. One being a classmate of mine, whose friend needed a partner, the other being the coach for the boys. However, I declined. Quite obvious, don't you think? If I'm not asked to take part by the partner herself, I see no reason to take part. It's just not fun dancing with someone who doesn't want to dance with you. Of course, the girls would never consider the things that actually mean something. For example, previous experience. You would never choose someone as your partner only because they've danced in the past. You would always try to pick the nice guy or the interesting guy or the good-looking guy. Well, it goes both ways, obviously. I just find it to be ridiculous. After all, it's a celebration for something. Something other than looking good.
However, there is a good side to the dance. It forces the arrogant and ignorant teens to dress formally. If anything, I like seeing the guys who normally would dress in jeans and a leather jacket wearing a tuxedo. And of course there're the girls as well. Don't they just love dressing up? In that case, the formal dance party is their best chance to show exactly how flamboyant they can be. And that's what I want to see.
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