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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: School proms
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St. Gwladys
Shipmate
# 14504
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Posted
Oh I do wish we still had a TICTH thread, because I this would be putting school proms on it.
My cleaner has a teenage daughter who has a school prom in June. Lisa reckons that it's going to cost almost £900 for all that her daughter expects - a beautician to do her makeup, a mobile hair dresser, a limo to take her and her friends, and a couple of hundred pounds for a dress which will be worn once.
The peer pressure is immense.
Whist Lisa was telling me all this, I was getting really angry. We live in a depressed area, but young people are being taught to expect this.
Where has this "prom" thing come from? It's fairly new in this country, and where is the sense of the schools in promoting it?
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"I say - are you a matelot?"
"Careful what you say sir, we're on board ship here"
From "New York Girls", Steeleye Span, Commoners Crown (Voiced by Peter Sellers)
Posts: 3333 | From: Rhymney Valley, South Wales | Registered: Jan 2009
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LeRoc
Famous Dutch pirate
# 3216
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Posted
Wow, I'm glad we don't have this tradition.
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I know why God made the rhinoceros, it's because He couldn't see the rhinoceros, so He made the rhinoceros to be able to see it. (Clarice Lispector)
Posts: 9474 | From: Brazil / Africa | Registered: Aug 2002
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
When did this awful prom thing find its way over the Atlantic?
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
Like Halloween, St Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and baby showers, it's an imported custom. But people wouldn't do it if they didn't want it. Grandparents Day hasn't caught on, at least, not so you'd notice.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
A minority of girls spent several hundred at my kids' school, but the school (hurrah!) provided a bus from school to venue and forbade limos.
My daughter had been a bridesmaid a few months earlier and so was able to recycle her bridesmaid's frock and her best friend bought one second hand from E-bay for £50.
Has your cleaner asked other parents what they are spending? Or is she taking her daughter's word for it that "everybody" is spending hundreds? There was a huge variation with us between the highest spenders and the lowest.
We spent just under £100, of which £35 was the cost of the dinner itself, and £15 was the formal photo.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Prester John
Shipmate
# 5502
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Posted
Have her watch Pretty in Pink. . Even better, instead of blaming the "Yanks" for another cultural import, your friend can explain to her daughter that she is not going to get everything she wants. What a novel concept.
Posts: 884 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Feb 2004
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
y quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Oh I do wish we still had a TICTH thread, because I this would be putting school proms on it.
My cleaner has a teenage daughter who has a school prom in June. Lisa reckons that it's going to cost almost £900 for all that her daughter expects - a beautician to do her makeup, a mobile hair dresser, a limo to take her and her friends, and a couple of hundred pounds for a dress which will be worn once.
The peer pressure is immense.
Whist Lisa was telling me all this, I was getting really angry. We live in a depressed area, but young people are being taught to expect this.
Where has this "prom" thing come from? It's fairly new in this country, and where is the sense of the schools in promoting it?
£900? Bollocks to that. Maybe this is an opportunity for the girl to start learning that life is full of disappointments.
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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molopata
The Ship's jack
# 9933
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
Like Halloween, St Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and baby showers, it's an imported custom. But people wouldn't do it if they didn't want it. Grandparents Day hasn't caught on, at least, not so you'd notice.
Yeh like. Ever heard of cultural expectation and peer pressure stoked by commercial interests? It's only loveless bastards like me who shun flower shops on Valentine's.
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... The Respectable
Posts: 1718 | From: the abode of my w@ndering mind | Registered: Aug 2005
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by LeRoc:
Wow, I'm glad we don't have this tradition.
Yet.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Twilight
Puddleglum's sister
# 2832
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Posted
Yes Proms are a tradition in American High Schools but spending 900pounds isn't. You have only yourselves to blame for that. Actually Proms spring from the whole debutante-coming out idea and I believe that started in England before it headed west across the pond.
I went to my Junior and Senior proms and didn't spend anything on the first one and exactly 30 dollars on the second one. Granted that was a long time ago, but still. The first time I wore my cousin's old dress. We did our own hair and make-up and if a seventeen year old girl hasn't learn to do that, now would be a good time. Professionals tend to make young girls look like 35 year-old hookers so why go there?
Limos are a ridiculous frill that no one needs. Girls can lose their virginity just as easily in the boy's father's Buick.
Posts: 6817 | Registered: May 2002
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
There was an attempt to have a 'Prom' at the school my children attended: parents were canvassed for views and I, and all of the parents I know, replied that we thought it was a waste of time, effort and money.
The school decided to go ahead anyway but as the day drew closer it became very apparent that the only people who wanted it was a group of very vocal girls and their mothers; the boys, in particular, were pretty anti the whole thing.
Anyway, end result was entertaining, though perhaps not as imagined by the Prom supporters: virtually all the boys insisted on going alone, if they went at all, and flatly refused to dress up. The catering, done by the vocal girls' mothers, was catastrophic and under-done chicken resulted in lots of children being unwell with several hospitalised.
The experiment wasn't repeated.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
We've had proms inflicted on us (and honestly, what the hell's wrong with a school disco?).
Miss Tor found a dress for £60 (which she's worn more than once) and the tickets were iirc £20. We've another prom coming up for the end of 6th form, but she's already got another dress (£50, and her grandmother paid for it).
Sigh.
Master Tor didn't go to his post-GCSE prom. We stayed in and watched some dvds. Much more his scene.
But some people spent nigh-on a grand for their offspring. We simply don't have the money for that, and Miss Tor knows it. She cuts her cloth accordingly. Wise girl.
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Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
I asked my son to estimate the percentage of girls spending hundreds of pounds at his Prom; he guessed that 50% were spending lavishly, (though not £900!) but 50% were borrowing dresses, doing their own make up etc.
I really think that Lisa should ask around other parents; I find it hard to believe that many are spending £900 on one Prom.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
They are associated with high school graduation here in western Canada and traditionally called "grad". The imported "prom" label has been more common as of late, but then so is the term "hoodie" for "bunny hug" (hoodie being slang for an uncircumcised penis).
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
Limos are a ridiculous frill that no one needs. Girls can lose their virginity just as easily in the boy's father's Buick.
Most European cars are much smaller than a Buick.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
Limos are a ridiculous frill that no one needs. Girls can lose their virginity just as easily in the boy's father's Buick.
Most European cars are much smaller than a Buick.
But still large enough, one presumes, to transport two people safely, and even as suggested, room for a quick romp as well if the mood strikes.
With my daughter we just gave her a budget (and yes, far less than $900). Some years she blew it all on a dress and did her own hair, make up, and dad's car. Other years she borrowed a dress or recycled an old one and was able to go to the hairdressers (never a "mobile" hairdresser, though) for a fancy 'do. I'm a big fan of the budget approach-- give them a reasonable amount of money and let the kid decide which aspects are most important to him or her, and where to skimp/save.
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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LeRoc
Famous Dutch pirate
# 3216
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Posted
quote:
Doc Tor: (and honestly, what the hell's wrong with a school disco?).
Disco.
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I know why God made the rhinoceros, it's because He couldn't see the rhinoceros, so He made the rhinoceros to be able to see it. (Clarice Lispector)
Posts: 9474 | From: Brazil / Africa | Registered: Aug 2002
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
Yes Proms are a tradition in American High Schools but spending 900pounds isn't. You have only yourselves to blame for that. Actually Proms spring from the whole debutante-coming out idea and I believe that started in England before it headed west across the pond.
I went to my Junior and Senior proms and didn't spend anything on the first one and exactly 30 dollars on the second one. Granted that was a long time ago, but still. The first time I wore my cousin's old dress. We did our own hair and make-up and if a seventeen year old girl hasn't learn to do that, now would be a good time. Professionals tend to make young girls look like 35 year-old hookers so why go there?
Limos are a ridiculous frill that no one needs. Girls can lose their virginity just as easily in the boy's father's Buick.
Steph Curry could do no better.
![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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St Deird
Shipmate
# 7631
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Posted
Why are the parents paying? When I had my school formal, I spent my own savings on a (cheap) dress, getting my hair done, and chipping in for a group limo. And I did my makeup myself. It's a good lesson for teens in budgeting.
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They're not hobbies; they're a robust post-apocalyptic skill-set.
Posts: 319 | From: the other side of nowhere | Registered: Jun 2004
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
Neighbor's (male) kid said he was going to hire a limo for the prom. Neighbor said "Fine; how are you going to pay for it?" and had nothing to do with it, no loaning a credit card, no calling to make the reservations. The kid got together wiih friends and they rented a limo together.
Kids old enough to go to a prom are old enough to earn their own prom costs and figure out how to make their dreams affordable.
If parents want to chip in, fine, but I would make it a stated amount not an open ended wording like "a dress" that could end up costing 10 times what you had in mind.
One friend offered $200 and pointed out if the girl bought or borrowed a used dress, she'd have money to do some other things - buy some shoes, or stock up on makeup, or take a few friends to a movie. The gift was not "a prom dress" but $200 which could be used for anything.
900? Outrageous.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
When I was a senior in high school (back before electricity and automobiles) a group of us spent prom evening at a boardwalk amusement park and had a great time with no dresses, corsages, limos, hair stylists, etc. Monday morning the kids who had gone to the prom complained about bad food, a lousy band, etc., etc. We just smiled.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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M.
Ship's Spare Part
# 3291
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Posted
Back when I were a lass, we just celebrated by going to the pub (we had to make sure we went into the other bar from where the teachers were celebating).
M.
Posts: 2303 | From: Lurking in Surrey | Registered: Sep 2002
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
It's an opportunity for a few children and their parents to boast. At the college local to my dad, some even arrived in helicopters.
I'd suggest (and this is what the Misses Mark all did) is to wear the best clothes you have, accept the snide comments and just enjoy yourself.
They'll be the ones payinga few hundred ppunds for a night out - you'll get it for much less and you'll both be at the same function.
[ 22. January 2016, 06:42: Message edited by: ExclamationMark ]
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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Mrs Shrew
Ship's Mother
# 8635
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Posted
We had a prom at school, but at the end of 6th form ( a levels- so when we were 18 rather than what seems to be becoming more common of one at end of gcses and each year after that.
I did buy a new dress for it, but I seem to recall it costing about £40 ( this was 2004), and made a shawl, mostly because that was a nice thing to do on Sunday afternoon with mum.
Tickets were maybe £20-£25 but that included a fairly sizeable meal, and the run of a local historical house and garden.
I think the majority in my year attended, and a fair proportion, but not all, and very few of my friends, brought dates ( we were an all girls school)
A few did hire cars, my friends and I arranged a group car pool with two willing dads. The evening was great fun but because it was a night with friends, not because it was some huge fancy affair.
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"The goal of life is not to make other people in your own image, it is to understand that they, too, are in God's image" (Orfeo)
Was "mummyfrances".
Posts: 703 | From: York, England | Registered: Oct 2004
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
Limos are a ridiculous frill that no one needs. Girls can lose their virginity just as easily in the boy's father's Buick.
Though having dad upfront driving said Buick would inhibit things.
But, the limo driver would also probably do the same.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Schroedinger's cat
Ship's cool cat
# 64
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Posted
I wonder whether the lavish "prom" has come about because young ladies are less likely to have a wedding for many years (if ever), and so this is an alternative opportunity to dress up, be pampered, show themselves off to their best? As mentioned above, the "Season" is no longer a thing, which removed another opportunity for the more society ladies.
But I do think the expected excesses are ridiculous. Our two had something more akin to an end of year disco, which was low key and, while there was an expectation of dressing up smartly, it was not the rappers wet dream that seems to be expected by some. It was an opportunity to get them some reasonable, smart clothes that they have worn a few times since.
However, I do have boys.
I like the idea of giving a fixed amount of money - that reflects the celebratory aspect, but not the "give me everything" aspect. If they want to spend more, they can earn it. And yes, I expect they will complain loudly that "you never give me anything. I hate you". I would reduce the amount by a tenner for each outburst, personally.
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Blog
Music for your enjoyment
Lord may all my hard times be healing times
take out this broken heart and renew my mind.
Posts: 18859 | From: At the bottom of a deep dark well. | Registered: May 2001
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by molopata:
Yeh like. Ever heard of cultural expectation and peer pressure stoked by commercial interests? It's only loveless bastards like me who shun flower shops on Valentine's.
Yes, I'd taken that for granted as a built-in factor. If you present something attractively people will usually buy it. Then their friends (or in this case, children) will want it. Until it becomes the norm. Proms are likely here to stay and will probably become more and more competitive, in the same way as children's parties.
[ 22. January 2016, 07:28: Message edited by: Ariel ]
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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passer
Indigo
# 13329
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Posted
£900 (c. $1250)?
Sounds to me rather like Lisa is asking for a pity-me handout.
Posts: 1289 | From: Sheffield | Registered: Jan 2008
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
When did this awful prom thing find its way over the Atlantic?
About 15 years ago. It has grown to crazy proportions since.
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
When did this awful prom thing find its way over the Atlantic?
About 15 years ago. It has grown to crazy proportions since.
In much the same way that the Wedding Industry took off in 1981, after Charles aand Diana's wedding.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Teenagers? They've missed out if they've had to wait that long! I remember being amazed to read about infant school proms, every bit as grand as the senior school ones!
The whole competitive parent thing can get quite out of hand. Perhaps children should be given an either/or choice: mum can either afford to give them a computer/new bike or a prom experience lasting one day. But not both. If nothing else, it will be good life experience for the inevitable 'posh wedding lasting one day or lump sum towards your first house' dilemma....
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
When did this awful prom thing find its way over the Atlantic?
My school invented proms (or something similar) just after I left. The reasoning wasn't 'aping the Americans' but something rather less edifying.
My school was a 'good' school but a tradition of low-grade mischief-making had developed on the last day before we left at 16/18 (chucking eggs mostly - although someone once managed to get the school into the local paper by hiding a tape recording of something indecent inside the school organ, timed to go off during assembly). The argument was that since it was our last day anyway, as long as we didn't do anything that merited actual expulsion there were no sanctions the staff could apply against us.
In my year the staff combatted this by simply not telling us when our last day would be - we were expecting to break up on a Friday, and on Wednesday we were all summoned and told to go home.
After I left, the school decided that holding a celebration for the last day would create a less adversarial atmosphere, and presumably also give the staff an extra sanction against naughty boys.
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
My cleaner has a teenage daughter who has a school prom in June. Lisa reckons that it's going to cost almost £900 for all that her daughter expects - a beautician to do her makeup, a mobile hair dresser, a limo to take her and her friends, and a couple of hundred pounds for a dress which will be worn once.
The peer pressure is immense.
Key word is "expects". I suspect what's going on is peers expressing wishes as if realities for boasting rights, but the realities will be less than expressed. The peers simply aren't admitting in public that their dress is borrowed from an aunt and the hairdo is done by a friend.
Peer pressure is often about appearances, not realities. Trouble arises when some gullible or literal-minded teen believes the boasting.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
We had a bonfire on the shingle beach, swam a bit (mostly in cozzies) and burned our school uniform brown knickers and brown and green ties.
At college, we had a run in with the Principal who wanted to stop the last night madnesses, and all, except one, whose father complained, and I, who negotiated since I had already negotiated staying on for family reasons, were sent down. Only a few had done anything at all naughty, but there you go. Strangely, this never appeared on anyone's records.
What really got my goat about this was that said Principal, having lost her cool at 2 in the morning, understandably, then tripped merrily to non-denominational Communion in the morning, where I saw her and thought how good it was that we could share together after the ructions of the night. And then, called the President of the Student's Union in and issued her damning rulings which were utterly vindictive.
[ 22. January 2016, 14:08: Message edited by: Penny S ]
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Twilight
Puddleglum's sister
# 2832
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
We had a bonfire on the shingle beach, swam a bit (mostly in cozzies) and burned our school uniform brown knickers and brown and green ties.
At college, we had a run in with the Principal who wanted to stop the last night madnesses, and all, except one, whose father complained, and I, who negotiated since I had already negotiated staying on for family reasons, were sent down. Only a few had done anything at all naughty, but there you go. Strangely, this never appeared on anyone's records.
What really got my goat about this was that said Principal, having lost her cool at 2 in the morning, understandably, then tripped merrily to non-denominational Communion in the morning, where I saw her and thought how good it was that we could share together after the ructions of the night. And then, called the President of the Student's Union in and issued her damning rulings which were utterly vindictive.
Vindictive is the word! Starting with the school uniform of brown knickers and brown and green ties.
![[Tear]](graemlins/tear.gif)
Posts: 6817 | Registered: May 2002
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leo
Shipmate
# 1458
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Posted
Now that schools have to compete against each other, most put on a prom because kids would choose another school otherwise.
Posts: 23198 | From: Bristol | Registered: Oct 2001
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
When did this awful prom thing find its way over the Atlantic?
About 15 years ago. It has grown to crazy proportions since.
In much the same way that the Wedding Industry took off in 1981, after Charles and Diana's wedding.
At least you can't blame that on Americans.
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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LeRoc
Famous Dutch pirate
# 3216
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Posted
Touchy.
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I know why God made the rhinoceros, it's because He couldn't see the rhinoceros, so He made the rhinoceros to be able to see it. (Clarice Lispector)
Posts: 9474 | From: Brazil / Africa | Registered: Aug 2002
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Matt Black
Shipmate
# 2210
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Posted
If the daughter 'expects' it to cost £900, then the mother can jolly well 'expect' the daughter to pay for it out of money the daughter's worked for!
It's a pernicious tradition that, round here, is even permeating to primary school level: the school which our three kids attend is having a 'Leavers' Prom' for Year 6s (our eldest boy's year) in the summer and I am making it clear to him that, whilst I'm happy to chip in a few bob of my own, any further outlay has got to be funded by his nibs, either from saved pocket money or from money earned by him volunteering for extra chores between now and then. The same rule will apply to my daughter and younger son when they get to this stage, and indeed to any subsequent events during their teenage years.
My sons, being boys, aren't terribly interested in the concept; my daughter on the other hand loves any excuse to dress up and Mrs B and I are therefore looking forward to doing fuck all round the house over the next 2+ years whilst she works as our paid domestic skivvy #whatminimumwage? ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
[ 22. January 2016, 16:46: Message edited by: Matt Black ]
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"Protestant and Reformed, according to the Tradition of the ancient Catholic Church" - + John Cosin (1594-1672)
Posts: 14304 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Jan 2002
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Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Now that schools have to compete against each other, most put on a prom because kids would choose another school otherwise.
Really? There are a significant number of families who would chose the school where their children are going to spend several years of their lives based on the quality of the end-of-school party?
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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The Rogue
Shipmate
# 2275
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Posted
Eldest Rogueling's transport to his prom was a narrow boat that a friend's parents owned. I waved to them as I cycled home from work and they changed into smart clothes when they arrived. A few beers were drunk on the way and at the venue and the total cost was about a tenner each. They had fun.
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If everyone starts thinking outside the box does outside the box come back inside?
Posts: 2507 | From: Toton | Registered: Feb 2002
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
Like Halloween, St Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and baby showers, it's an imported custom. But people wouldn't do it if they didn't want it.
Unless you are specifically separating England from the rest of the U.K., Halloween is home grown. Except for the commercialism, you'd be hard put to find something America invented in its celebration. St. Patrick's day requires ignoring Northern Ireland as celebrations of St. Patrick predate the creation of N.I.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
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Matt Black
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# 2210
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Posted
Really? I don't remember it in my childhood.
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"Protestant and Reformed, according to the Tradition of the ancient Catholic Church" - + John Cosin (1594-1672)
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lilBuddha
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# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Matt Black:
Really? I don't remember it in my childhood.
Like anything, there are periods where things fall from favour. Doesn't mean they never existed. A quick web search will find the references.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Penny S
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# 14768
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
We had a bonfire on the shingle beach, swam a bit (mostly in cozzies) and burned our school uniform brown knickers and brown and green ties.
At college, we had a run in with the Principal who wanted to stop the last night madnesses, and all, except one, whose father complained, and I, who negotiated since I had already negotiated staying on for family reasons, were sent down. Only a few had done anything at all naughty, but there you go. Strangely, this never appeared on anyone's records.
What really got my goat about this was that said Principal, having lost her cool at 2 in the morning, understandably, then tripped merrily to non-denominational Communion in the morning, where I saw her and thought how good it was that we could share together after the ructions of the night. And then, called the President of the Student's Union in and issued her damning rulings which were utterly vindictive.
Vindictive is the word! Starting with the school uniform of brown knickers and brown and green ties.
This was two separate establishments. (I have carefully avoided the descriptive word of the brown where navy or bottle would be applied to other colours.)
The odd thing was that in both establishments the person in charge when I joined had been of the generation brought up on the principles of Miss Beale and Miss Buss and a dedication to the education of women, and who had had an enlightened view of what would happen at the end of term. Both were succeeded by career building women who weren't and didn't and were of the opinion that if you want something slightly disordered to stop, you ban it, and expect obedience.
The college one had had a bad start with her appointment being opposed because she had come from South Africa. Instead of standing up before the college and explaining that she had come from there because she could not continue in complicity with apartheidt, she stayed silent on the subject.
When the college closed down, she had revenge. Or so it was explained to me. There were offers made by both the nearby newish University, and a poly or technical college - not sure what its status was. Despite most of the staff wanting to join the Uni, she used her veto to merge with the lesser establishment, which then closed down all the buildings and establishment. She would probably not have been on the same end of the political spectrum as the Uni, which had a reputation.
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Leorning Cniht
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# 17564
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Posted
Hallowe'en certainly existed in my English childhood. We carved jack-o-lanterns out of swedes, and there may have occasionally been a party.
It was a very low-key thing, though - the shops didn't have racks of Hallowe'en merchandise, and we would never have banged on random doors to solicit sweets.
I didn't encounter trick-or-treating until I was an adult living in London. Some of the local kids turned up with carrier bags hoping for chocolate. As I recall, we invited them in and gave them slices of cake.
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Ricardus
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# 8757
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Matt Black:
Really? I don't remember it in my childhood.
My Dad tells me stories about his church boys' brigade 'meeting Lord Nelson' at Hallowe'en.
One boy would be blindfolded and then be invited to touch his stump. (Someone's bare elbow.)
Then they would be invited to touch his eye socket. (A hollowed out tangerine.)
I don't remember what else was involved but I'm sure it was equally Christian ...
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Leorning Cniht
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# 17564
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Matt Black:
the school which our three kids attend is having a 'Leavers' Prom' for Year 6s (our eldest boy's year)
When I was that age, we had a "school disco" at school, in the school hall. Nobody bought special clothes or anything, though.
My senior school had a leavers' ball (rented dinner jackets and posh frocks), but I don't think anyone would have paid to have their hair and makeup done. I didn't go - the school disco has never really been my idea of fun. I don't regret not going, either.
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Penny S
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# 14768
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Posted
For Halloween, we did apple bobbing at Guides. Also attempting to eat buns hung on a rope across the room.
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