Yesterday was Prom at our local high school. As usual, girls and guys with their proud parents congregated around our neighborhood to take pictures, since we have some beautiful scenery that people like to use as a backdrop.
But my Mexican-Italian in-laws do not understand Prom.
"Is it high school graduation already? Are they having graduation celebrations?"
"No, it's Prom."
"P-P-P-Prom? What is this. . .Prom?"
"You had two sons and two grand daughters go through the California public school system, and you don't know what Prom is?"
"No. What is . . . Prom?"
"It is a formal dance. The kids get all dressed up and then go somewhere fancy and have a dance."
Blank stares.
"Remember a couple years ago? When Amelia went to Prom with Jacob? And they got all dressed up and we went to the high school and watched all the kids walk through the gym? That was part of Prom."
Blank stares.
"Or maybe they're just celebrating their graduation."
"No. It's Prom."
Blank stares.
Blank stares.
"Or maybe it's a big party because one of them turned fifteen; a Quincenera."
"Noooo. It's Prom. Prom."
"Prom?"
"Yes, Prom."
"I don't think so."
I then stood up, walked over to the wall, and banged my head against the wall three times.
All better.
All better.
.
30 comments:
Wait. So? You're asking me to prom, right?
Aaah, Prom.
The school for homeless students that I did a practicum at has a yearly Prom for grades 7-12. All year long I scout the sales racks at Ross and buy however many totally marked down dresses as I come across and then I donate them--best feeling evah!
Jason, I do hope you strapped your helmet on before banging your head against the wall.
Now, once more from the top: What is prom?
Tee hee hee....
BTW, my word ver word is "sping" which, for some reason, is the way I imagine at least one of your in-laws would say was the season that prom is held. ;-)
LOL!
I have to say prom IS a strange ritual!
So, life is never ever boring is it???
I love prom. Will you be my date? We can find a prom to crash and pretend to be chaperones.
Wait....I still don't know, what is PROM?
Isn't it funny what we take for granted?
maybe it was a wedding? arranged marriages amongst teens, no?
Quienceanerias look more like weddings than proms! They are just missing a groom.
Happily for me, my older son did not do prom, but my co-worker/neighbor has 10 kids coming over for pre-prom dinner (way to save money, kids!) and she doesn't have 10 matching plates so I (collector, not hoarder, thank you very much) said I would loan her plates and silverware. I think she is more excited than the kids!
And Jenn...you are amazing as always.
So share the pictures of your beautiful daughter.
oh great, now you are gonna have to rub Beeks Bappo Roo all over your head, at least your sinuses will be clear.
xo
bwahahahaha gotta love 'em!
c
That is pretty darned funny if I do say so. I hope your head is okay.
I once had to explain football to my very Jewish grandfather and the results were very similar.
Your blog is very cool. I may have to return.
only three?
You tried. That's all you can do. Then you have to let it go. There are many more struggles you need your strength for. Smile.
Oh, this is so funny! I went to 2 proms and have 3 kids that have been to proms and I still don't entirely get it...
ANd love your name idea for Amelia's band!
hahahaha. is it the strange word or the concept that was so confusing?
(I'll have to try that banging my head against the wall next time I battle with my 9 year old over his interpretation and mine).
I would've just said, "Yes, yes - graduation. Whatever." :)
Well, it's like a Quienceaneria but totally not like a Quienceaneria! Um yeah, I have no idea how I would have explained that one either. Chances are I would have opened Google and went to town, haha!
OMG. It's like trying to explain a Condo Association to my mother.
No, seriously. I so get it.
Is that kind of like when my mother in law shook her thumb at a bad driver, thinking she was giving him the finger?
OMG I am dying - this is so funny! I'm pretty sure explaining prom to husbands mother would end up the same way.
(And my word verification is 'fackn' which is probably similar to what you were saying as you banged your head. ;)
Bahaha!! Seriously? I hope your headache gets better soon!
Ah, the cultural divide...when coupled with the generation gap, it's wide. Gee, I'm poetic today!
Awww...lost in translation...maybe they have a different word for prom..or maybe they should go to one to find out how awesome they are...can you hook them up with one of your local proms...they might enjoy it..!
LOL! I'd pay money to see you try to explain to them what Facebook is :)
Maybe you should have brought out the Vicks Vapor Rub.... and in some weird cross-cultural,cross-language way, they may have understood....? :)
(Still laughing about Diego's pronunciation of that... so cute.)
Boy... prom. What memories. Surreal.
We just told mom it was the school's end of the year dance. Mom got it and didn't need more explanation.
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