The prom is an annual event where TEENagers invest their every effort to look their best, especially the ladies. Being on your best behaviour is just as important as your dress, and as such etiquette must be exercised for the duration of the night.

The prom/ball is a formal affair and it is your time to not just look like a lady, but act the part as well. If you know a beast exists behind all the 'glit and glam', you must tame it for the prom. Being surrounded by your friends is no excuse for impoliteness, bad manners or acting inappropriately in any possible way. Moreover, you can spare your date and yourself the embarrassment.

Rules of Etiquette for ladies at the prom

Enter with your date
When you arrive with your date, avoid walking in front or behind him. Holding hands while you enter is an appropriate gesture. If you are just going with a group of girlfriends, you must enter as a group and be seated as a group. This will prevent you from shouting to 'Karen, Keshena and Kenisha ' seated all the way at the table across the room.
Note: If dateless, try not to sulk all night. Whether it was by choice or forced upon you, you deserve to enjoy your night nonetheless. Brooding all night will have you remembered as the bitter, angry, "badmind" girl without a date.

Do all touch-ups in the bathroom
If you need to re-powder your nose or add some lipstick to your lips, around the table is not the place to do it. All touch-ups must be done in the bathroom. Even if you are equipped with your portable mirror, you must take it to the bathroom. If you decide to spray some perfume, do it moderately. There is a thin line between pleasant and unpleasant. Too much perfume is unpleasant.

Make your date comfortable
You should not go through the whole night without complimenting your date. Tell him how 'handsome' he looks, or that 'you like his suit'. Be sure to reserve the first and the last dance for your date. It is acceptable to dance with others if they ask, but do not ditch your date for the entire night. Even if he is not the 'cutest' guy at the prom, do not abandon him. If he does not know your friends, introduce them.

Sit properly
This may seem like something your mother or grandmother would say, but for occasions like a prom it is absolutely necessary. This means no slouching over the table or leaning as if you have totally lost your ability to use your backbone for support. Try to stay neat for at least the first two hours. During this time is the usual meet-and-greet and picture-taking. Don't discard those three-inched stilettos under the table as you enter and don't catch up your fabulous hairstyle just yet.

Use your magic words
A word like 'abracadabra' does not apply here. You must be courteous by saying 'please' when you are asking for something, especially to the servers, and 'thank you' when your request is granted. Your waiters are not slaves, so the least you can do is be nice.

Take your time and eat
If you are a natural fast eater, be conscious of the pace at which you are eating. Do not gobble your food as if you are in a race. Do not go to the prom on an empty stomach, because you will be tempted to greedily devour your food. You may receive the wrong type of attention in this case.

Chew with a closed mouth
All your friends will see what the food looks like on your plate. None of them wants to see what it looks like in your mouth. If you want to say something, wait until you have swallowed your food before you speak. Pushing it to the side of your cheek and speaking at the same time does not count for etiquette. Bubblegum are definitely prohibited. If it cannot be swallowed, it should not be chewed at the prom. This also applies to the chewing of straws.

Do not overeat
Don't take advantage of the buffet-style meal some balls may offer. Stuffing your face like a chipmunk is far from lady-like. Neither is spending a portion of the night becoming friendly with the toilet.

Leave all quarrels for the next day
If you have a 'beef' with someone, whether it was prior to the prom or it developed during the night, avoid cursing. If you can, avoid the person totally. If you find that you are unable to contain yourself, excuse yourself to the bathroom and cool off. Keep in mind that the prom is only for a couple of hours and there will be another day to tell him or her your mind thoroughly.

Have clean fun
It is easy to get carried away when the music is blazing, the hype is at its peak and you are having fun, but keep in mind that you are not at a session or a club. There should be no need to lift your dress to do any type of dancing. At times, the atmosphere becomes romantic and you feel the urge to get 'lovey dovey' with your date, but be wary of the extent to which you publicly display your affections.

- Additional reporting from Jodi-Ann Williams

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