Prom Etiquette

Home
Love & Relationships
Dating
Prom Etiquette

To properly view this site, javascript must be enabled and Flash version 9 or higher must be installed.
Get the latest Flash player

All videos in this series
Videos by this expert
All Dating videos

Expert
Video details
Transcript
Comments
Learn more

Elaine Swann

Elaine Swann Enterprises (ESE)

http://www.elaineswann.com/

contact-elaine@elaineswann.com

Earning her place as respected authority on the etiquette trade through her self-driven research, Lifestyle and Etiquette Expert Elaine Swann has been touted as today’s hip, savvy etiquette advisor, as evidenced by her regular appearances as a special correspondent on San Diego’s NBC 7/39 “News in the Morning,” her Web site, syndicated column and etiquette-inspired products.

Nick-named “The Etiquette Lady,” Elaine shares up-to-the minute tools and practical tips from a contemporary perspective, presenting workshops, seminars and one-on-one sessions with private clients. Elaine’s clients include schools, civic and non-profit organizations, as well as corporate businesses. Her passion lies in helping individuals empower themselves by developing sharp social skills that transcend into chic everyday style.

Born of Panamanian decent, Elaine is third in a family of five siblings. Elaine developed a love for everything etiquette early in life when her mother gave her the responsibility to set the table for dinner each night. Her dreams were further realized when her mother enrolled her in charm school, and later when she learned the formal teachings of etiquette through her participation in beauty pageants starting in her senior year of high school. The natural next step for Elaine was to move to New York City to pursue a career in modeling.

While living in New York, Elaine first stretched her entrepreneur wings by starting E.P. Models, a model management company that represented petite models, many whom landed principle roles in music videos. Elaine later returned to California, where she continued to develop as a creative leader, obtaining a cosmetology license, opening a full-service beauty salon called Bronzed Images, and becoming a freelance creative art director for Today’s Black Woman Magazine and writer for Word Up Magazine.

Elaine began her career in etiquette instruction when a sorority, aware of her strong pageant and modeling background, asked her to work with the girls for their annual debutante ball. The sorority continued to invite Elaine back, and each year she developed a more advanced program. After years of volunteering, a middle school principal hired Elaine to develop an after-school etiquette program for students. She immediately recognized that this would become her lifelong career motivation and began to grow her mini-empire from then on.

In 2005, Elaine auditioned for the “Martha Stewart Apprentice” in San Diego, where she was plucked from the line of several hundred prospects and interviewed on-air by an NBC reporter. After the brief interview, she was complimented by two news anchors and invited to return to do a segment about etiquette. As excited as she was about the prospect, Elaine had to put the offer on hold because she was called back by “Apprentice” producers for several more interviews. After stopping short of the top 16, Elaine refused to allow her disappointment to get the best of her. Instead, she chalked up the experience as a necessary part of her journey. Elaine followed up on NBC San Diego’s offer, and today she has become a familiar face as a regularly featured guest on the channel.

Prom Etiquette

In this video, Etiquette Expert Elaine Swann will give you tips on etiquette before prom, at dinner and at the actual dance.

This expert: 62,634 views
This series: 10,388 views

Download to Mobile Device

Tags:

Prom

High school

Junior

Senior

Dance

Date

Dinner

Corsage

Boutinerre

Transcripts

Elaine Swann: Hi! I am Elaine Swann with Everyday Style. Today we are going to talk about prom etiquette. Its that time of year, where both the guys and girls get all dolled up and turn into princes and princesses for the evening. But before you get started, let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I have been researching and teaching etiquette for well, over a decade now, to individuals, businesses and organizations. Its my goal to help people here, in the 21st century do everything with grace and style.

Now onto prom etiquette. First thing, you want to think about, is asking out that date. Dont wait when it comes to finding your date. If you are thinking about, who you want to take to the prom, ask as early as possibly. This way your date can get ready, you can get ready and also the parents can get ready and get all prepared for their prom.

Now if you decide that you dont want to go out on a date and you want to go out with an all girl or an all guy date, there is no problem with that. Having fun with your friends for prom, is a great thing to do.

Next tip, proper prom attire. Keep in mind that you are setting history here. You dont want to take a look at a photo album, years from now and see yourself in some sort of video wicks in costume or may be even the guys, looking like something that's sort of Halloween. Be sure that you wear, what I call, age appropriate clothing; not too adult and not too driven out either. Keep in mind that mini schools have a dress code. So if you just abide by the schools dress code, you'll do fine and have a great time.

Should you buy a corsage or boutonniere? Absolutely, its wonderful and an awesome gesture for a young man to bring a young lady a corsage. Now when you pick this corsage, try to find out what she is wearing. They have two different types; one is for the wrist and one can be pinned on her lapel. This depends on what she is wearing that day and ladies it is a good idea for you to buy a boutonnire for your date as well.

When its time to meet the parents, make sure that you make proper use of the English language. Be polite, say please and thank you, all those kind of phrases, go along way. Gentlemen when you are out in a bout, make sure that you open the door for the girls and when you are in the limo, its not just for safety sake, but also for manners sake as well. Keep all your limbs, arms and legs and head inside the limousine.

Now for the girls, allow the young men to open the door for you and treat you like a lady. This is your night to be a princess. Now before you get to the actual dance itself, you will probably take your date out to dinner. For the gentlemen, make sure you do just that; be a gentleman. Hold the chair out for your date, so she can have her seat and allow your date to order first.

Now, everyone at the table, this is guys and girls, be sure that you practice proper table manners. Put that napkin on the lap and be sure that you use this silver wear, all of it. A lot of times we see those two fourths or sometimes even three and we dont know, where to start, just start from the outside and work your way in as you go from course to course.

And finally, have fun and be safe, keep your curfew and no underage drinking. Its against the law and it could save your life. Your parents love you; they want you to have a good time. But most of all they want you home safe and sound. So enjoy your prom, this year.