Prom Spot - Q&A: Prom Dates: Am I A Prude?

Q. All my friends seem ready to do things I still find a bit scary (you know what I mean). They are giving me a hard time. Am I being a prude?

A. Who you hang out with is entirely up to you. And if you love your posse, make sure they're aware of your boundaries. "You don't have to be holier-than-thou or give them lectures about their behavior," advises Carol Weston, author of For Teens Only: Quotes, Notes and Advice You Can Use. "But nor do you have to join in! You don't need to defend yourself, but if you feel you have to, just say, 'I don't like the taste' or 'It gives me a headache' or 'I'm not interested.'"

And remember, you're not alone. While your pals may go on and on about how everyone's doing it, that's definitely not the case. Many teens worry about making the wrong choices. And the more you hold your ground, the more your friends should respect you. That said, if they keep giving you a hard time, you may want to find some new friends.