As a tradition in the United States and Canada, high school proms have become one of the most important events in a teenager’s life. In some countries it is just a party to celebrate a graduation from high schools or even colleges, but in other countries it can be the most stressful and exciting event for a young person. Whatever the situation may be, it is a celebration that is spreading worldwide.

The word “prom” was used for the first time in 1890 as a short version of the word “promenade” that referred to formal dances. In United States, parents and teachers believed that proms are a good way to teach students social skills. In the 1920s, the first proms took place and a decade later they were popular across USA. In the beginning proms were pretty modest, held in the school gymnasium and decorated with crepe-paper. From the 1960s until now, proms are more formal events with boys wearing tuxedos and girls in formal dresses arriving in limousines hired exclusively for that special night. As part of the attire girls wear a corsage, generally a wrist corsage, given to them by their dates and girls give boys matching boutonnieres.

The tradition has been popular in several countries around the world that now have their own version of the high school proms. Some of them kept the same elements as the Prom in the United States and others made their own.

In Canada, most schools have the same traditions as Prom in the United States, except it is strictly a ceremony celebrating the graduation from high school.

In Brazil, proms are usually held at the end of high school or at college graduation. Evening gowns and suits are required.

In Argentina, proms are for students finishing their last year of high school. A big party in a local disco and school leavers usually wear costumes to be identified.

In United Kingdom, proms were unheard of until the late 1990s. It was believed to start in Cambridge where every school in the area had a special “school ball.”
In France, some schools or universities hold “gala” which are social events each year gathering newly graduates and newly entering students.

In Germany, students celebrate their graduation from high school with an “Abi-Party” or an “Abi-Ball”. They are not compelled to wear tuxedos or dresses.

In Italy, the equivalent is known as “Mak ? 100” because it takes place 100 days before the students’ graduation in high schools. It is not a formal event, and the students will often perform shows making a parody of their teachers.

In India, the equivalent is a farewell party. Students are given a warm send-off by the junior students with souvenirs and outstanding students are given awards.

In South Africa, the equivalent is the Matric Dance. It takes place during the final year of high schools. It usually takes the form of a formal dinner and dance. In most schools the 11th grade class is responsible for arranging the events.

If you are organizing a prom, now you know that you are not alone in that task. Thousands of people around the world are doing the same with clear cultural differences. But what is certain is that if we talk about a formal event we will for sure need to talk about decoration as well. Flowers, as in any other event today, have become increasingly important for decoration and even as part of the attire. The days of crepe-paper are over so the venue has to be decorated accordingly and what can be better than flowers to do the job!

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Category: Dating
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