Asking a Boy to the Prom: 10 Helpful Ideas to Increase the Odds of a Yes

My junior prom was almost sixteen years ago and I asked a boy. My mom and dad gave me grief because they lived in a generation when the girls did not ask the boys out on dates-period. Luckily, times have changed. I was lucky my date opted to attend with me. I had a lot of friends who harassed him into saying he would go. This is not the way you want to ask a boy to the prom. The evening turned out fine but could have been much better. Here are my ideas for how to ask a boy to prom.

1) You could have your friends ask the boy to the prom as I did but beware of several problems. Friends can sometimes be nosey even when they have your best interests at heart. My poor date was pressured into going with me when I do not believe it was what he wanted. Also, having a friend ask shows a lack of self-confidence and that is always a turn off. Being shy, I thought this was my only option. The Internet was not around to give advice articles back then.

2) You could send a note and ask the boy to the prom that way. The problem with this method is being unsure the note gets to him and if he is shy, he may not be sure of how to respond. Notes may also show a lack of self-confidence but if you are very shy it is an option.

3) Sometimes you just have to garner the courage and do it in person. Asking in person is the only way to get a legitimate response.

4) Asking by way of phone is an option if you are very shy. It is better to ask a boy to the prom in person but the phone works as well.

5) When you do ask the boy to prom in whatever manner, be optimistic the answer will be yes. If the answer is no, do not take it personally. My date first said no because he did not want to wear a "monkey suit" (tuxedo). Have a backup boy ready to ask to prom in case the answer is no but do not assume it will be. High school is a bizarre time in life and boys can be unpredictable. I have learned since graduation that several who were mean to me actually had crushes on me at that time.

6) Spend time with the boy you want to ask to prom before you ask. If he does not know you, he may not know what to expect when going on a date with you. Maybe ask him to a movie before prom is scheduled?

7) Be sure to give a lot of advance warning before asking a boy to the prom. Two weeks before the prom is not enough time for anyone to prepare. Do not ask a boy to the prom in August when school starts however. Wait until at least after the Christmas holiday is over.

8) If you are already friends with the boy, strike up a conversation. Wait for the subject of prom to come up and ask if he has a date. If so, obviously do not ask. If not, there is your opening.

9) Do not ask the boy to prom in front of a group of people. In high school, I was asked out on dates several times while a lot of people were around. I did not realize the person asking was serious and I said no. Sometimes people joke around.

10) Going along with the subject of getting to know the boy before you ask him to prom, flirt with him. Let him know you are interested in him before asking him on a date. After the date, it will be clear if he would like to go to prom with you and it will be easier to ask.