Prom Spot - Q&A: Prom Dates: My Date Thinks Prom is a Joke!

Q. I just found out that my date thinks prom is one big joke. He only wants to stay for a few minutes at the dance. But I care a lot and want to stay for the whole thing. What do I do?

A. Don't worry. It's easy enough to convert even the biggest prom scrooges. The best way to get him excited is to make him realize how much fun it will be. Play up the big event -- the DJ, dancing, and decorations. If that doesn't work, try the old peer-pressure tactic. Most likely, he thinks all his friends aren't into prom either. It's your job to convince him otherwise. Drop little hints about all the cool things your friends are planning to do on prom night. Tell him how everyone is doing this or that for prom. Emphasize the "fun" factor. You could even recruit one of his friends to help you. Pretty soon, he'll have more prom spirit than you'll know what to do with.

If all else fails, try appealing to his inner cheapskate. Tell him what a shame it would be to spend all that money on prom tickets and not stay for the dance. And if that doesn't work, try the honesty routine. Tell him that you've always wanted to have the full prom experience and you won't settle for anything less. But if he's still not falling in line, tell him it's either your (prom) way or the highway!