A full two months or more before school dances even take place, students rush to ask their dates. Once the first person asks, there’s typically a ripple effect.
New Trier spirals into a frenzy. In early September, boys scramble to figure out which lucky person they will ask to Homecoming. This year, girls rushed to ask their Turnabout dates as early as December before winter break.
The way in which students ask their dates involves a complicated set of unwritten social rules. Most students ask over text with something as simple as “Hey! Do you wanna go to Homecoming?”
Once confirmed over text, a group starts to form with which to dance the night away. As the following weeks progress, the “asker” begins to think about the creative ask. Yes, the date is confirmed, but one of the unwritten social rules indicates that the date has to be asked in a creative way.
Creative asks usually happen during the two weeks leading up to a dance. The basic creative ask tends to be a pun on a decorated poster, while the asker is dressed up to go along with the pun.
Another popular option to go along with the “punny” poster are baked goods such as cupcakes or brownies. Senior Talia Levy thinks that food can break the ice for dates who aren’t as familiar with each other.
“Food makes it less awkward if you don’t really know the person,” said Levy.
For pun posters, it is important that the pun makes sense. According to senior Sarah Abrams, it is best when the poster is about an inside joke between dates. Another solid approach is making the poster relevant to their interests, such as a sport they might play.
“Let it be personal to their personal interests,” said Abrams.
Senior Katherine Mayer agreed.
“Sometimes it’s fun to do something personal,” said Mayer. Mayer said she created a scrapbook for her junior Turnabout date that was very personal.
There’s another unwritten social rule of creatively asking: if you don’t post it on Facebook or Instagram, did it really happen?
When asking creatively, do not forget to bring along a friend to take a picture for social media. Newsfeeds the week leading up to dances are cluttered with pictures of couples on one of the date’s doorsteps holding their “punny” sign. This lets everyone know which couple is which and just how creative the ask is.
However, according to Mayer, there’s no need to post on social media.
“Don’t feel like you need to post it on Facebook,” said Mayer.
Posting it on Facebook or Instagram is more common among the younger grades, especially the freshman.
While pun asks and baked goods are the most conventional route, some askers think outside the box. In the past, askers have surprised their dates with a flash mob or by filling their cars with balloons. Other creative ideas are leaving notes in all of their classes, serenading them, or drawing “HC” or “TB” on their driveway with sidewalk chalk.
According to senior Jessica Jeon, it is important to show appreciation, even if the creativity is lacking.
“I just think the effort people put in, the money they spend for posters, markers, costumes, cookies, and other materials are something people should appreciate,” said Jeon.
However, if time is crunched, or a certain date doesn’t care for a unique creative ask, just keep it simple.