# Prom night story **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 19, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818 "2018-11-19T20:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/1 "2018-11-19T20:36:14Z")
Four of us took the obligatory limo to our high school senior prom, my girlfriend and I, and another couple. After the prom, we stopped at an IHOP for some munchies, still in our tuxedos and dresses. Surprisingly, the place was actually pretty busy so early in the morning. Anyway, when we were about ready to leave, I asked our waitress for the check. She said it had already been paid. What? Who paid it? The guy at the table behind us had paid our tab. Weird, but we turned to thank him, and he explained that back on his prom night many years ago, someone had done the same for him and his friends. The guy who had paid his tab also explained that someone had done it for him years earlier. Now it’s our turn to pass it on. I’ve long since lost touch with the kids I was with that night, but I’ve never forgotten the pact to which we’d been committed. Over the years, I’ve had numerous chances to settle the debt… prom groups are easy to spot. But, I’ve yet to actually do it. I can’t help but feel like a weirdo engaging a group of teens on their prom night. So I’m thinking of creating something like a laminated business card with an explanation of the history of the free prom dinner, and the expectation that it be paid forward someday. Figure the next time opportunity presents itself I can just settle their tab with the waitress, and ask her to give them the card. That way, it’s anonymous, but I will have held up my end of the deal. What say y’all? Still weird? ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/2 "2018-11-19T20:39:35Z")
Yeah, kinda weird. That doesn’t make it a bad thing though. It’s a nice story and it’s nice of you to continue it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/3 "2018-11-19T20:39:48Z")
To me, the laminated card makes it way weirder. I think if you pay it, and let it be awkward if it needs to be–but if they ask, smile self-disparagingly and hand-wave it away and say, “On my prom night, somebody paid my tab, so I figured, y’know, good karma!” Only add details if they ask. But a laminated card? This shit’s premeditated, and would make me feel like I’d become a character in a Hallmark movie. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/4 "2018-11-19T20:41:22Z")
> [@Stuntman\_Mike](#): > > I can’t help but feel like a weirdo engaging a group of teens on their prom night. Yeah, these days that’s likely to earn you a visit from law enforcement. :rolleyes: Kinda fucking sad, really. I like your idea, but honestly, too much time/money investment on your end. Some traditions just need to have a natural death. But, hey! If you don’t mind doing it, go for it! ---
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/5 "2018-11-19T21:06:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > But a laminated card? This shit’s premeditated, and would make me feel like I’d become a character in a Hallmark movie. 😃 See? This is why I asked. ---
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/6 "2018-11-19T21:10:49Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Yeah, these days that’s likely to earn you a visit from law enforcement. :rolleyes: Kinda fucking sad, really. > > I like your idea, but honestly, too much time/money investment on your end. > > Some traditions just need to have a natural death. But, hey! If you don’t mind doing it, go for it! I could just type it up in Word, and print it off. I have those card sized laminate sheets around here somewhere, so it’s no trouble. But like Lefty said, it might still be weird. At least I don’t drink anymore. That’s why I’ve never done it before when I had the chance. Imagine a 40-something drunk guy paying for a table of teens? Ahhh… no. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/7 "2018-11-20T02:48:15Z")
> [@Stuntman\_Mike](#): > > At least I don’t drink anymore. That’s why I’ve never done it before when I had the chance. Imagine a 40-something drunk guy paying for a table of teens? Ahhh… no. Fuck! :mad: If I’da know this was such a bad thing, I’da saved\* hundreds\* last weekend! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/8 "2018-11-20T03:42:27Z")
Just think, I felt good giving a little kid a quarter at the gum machine. I guess I need to try a little harder.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/9 "2018-11-20T06:44:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > To me, the laminated card makes it way weirder… > But a laminated card? This shit’s premeditated, and would make me feel like I’d become a character in a Hallmark movie. Yeah, the laminated card thing is too weird for me. Almost like stalking. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/10 "2018-11-24T21:44:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Just think, I felt good giving a little kid a quarter at the gum machine. I guess I need to try a little harder.🙂 Get yourself a van and a whole bag of candy! 😃 Take your generosity mobile! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/11 "2018-11-24T21:54:26Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Get yourself a van and a whole bag of candy! 😃 Take your generosity mobile! I thought vans came with puppies, not just candy? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/12 "2018-11-24T21:58:45Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Yeah, the laminated card thing is too weird for me. Almost like stalking. On the back of the laminated card, there should be a photo of the group taken several hours earlier, with your leering face photoshopped onto _both_ of the boys. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/13 "2018-11-24T22:11:16Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I thought vans came with puppies, not just candy? The puppies are _always_ missing. That is why the kid needs to get in and help you find them. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/14 "2018-11-24T22:27:36Z")
If you’ve lost touch with the other three, how do you know the debt hasn’t already been paid? You could be in the clear. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/15 "2018-11-24T22:32:36Z")
> [@Stuntman\_Mike](#): > > I’ve long since lost touch with the kids I was with that night, but I’ve never forgotten the pact to which we’d been committed. Over the years, I’ve had numerous chances to settle the debt… prom groups are easy to spot. But, I’ve yet to actually do it. I can’t help but feel like a weirdo engaging a group of teens on their prom night. If that’s what you’re worried about, don’t engage the kids. Ask the waitress or restaurant manager not to reveal who paid their tab. Or better yet, pay their tab as you’re leaving. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/16 "2018-11-24T22:32:45Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > If you’ve lost touch with the other three, how do you know the debt hasn’t already been paid? You could be in the clear. If all 4 in the group pay it on consistently the following year, it will only take about 12 years until every kid in the entire U.S. going to prom gets a free meal. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prom-night-story/824818/17 "2018-11-24T23:12:55Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > To me, the laminated card makes it way weirder. I think if you pay it, and let it be awkward if it needs to be–but if they ask, smile self-disparagingly and hand-wave it away and say, “On my prom night, somebody paid my tab, so I figured, y’know, good karma!” Only add details if they ask. > > But a laminated card? This shit’s premeditated, and would make me feel like I’d become a character in a Hallmark movie. yes but if they don’t pay it forward, terrible things could happen so it can be a Stephen King Hallmark Movie.