Teach good manners for picking up a date
BY SHERRY THOMAS
Parents, you've survived the "hanging out" and "hookin' up" stages (not what you think, I learned from my teens), and now it's on to the more formal rituals of "dating."
Like it or not, parents analyze every single characteristic or "flaw" of someone who is courting their offspring. Review with your daughter or son the rules of date pickup.
 Boys
1. Dress appropriately. Let your date know in advance where you will be going and give her an idea of the dress code. This way, no one is embarrassed by being 'over-' or 'under-' dressed.
2.Arrive on time - not too early and not a minute late.
3. Don't arrive with music blaring. Show respect for the parents and the neighborhood.
4. Never blow the horn and expect your date to come running out to meet you. The same applies to a
text or phone call. You must enter your date's home, properly introduce yourself, say hello to her family.
5. Before leaving, ask the parents what time you should have her home.
6. Respect the parents' curfew and honor your word. This is comforting to parents and instills a
sense of trust.
7. Walk her to the car and open the car door for her.
8. Do not peel out of the driveway.
9. Upon return, walk her to the door and do not leave until you see that she is safely inside with
the door closed.
Girls
1. Dress appropriately.
2. Be on time. It isn't "socially acceptable" to keep him waiting. It's rude.
3. Do not allow a text, a phone call, or a honking horn summon you to his car.
4. When your date arrives at the door, invite him inside to say hello to your family. He may be uneasy; make him as comfortable as possible.
5. Start the conversation by telling your parents something interesting about him.
6. Offer your date something to drink.
7. Ask if he needs to use the restroom before leaving.
8. Do not laugh or make light of him peeling out of the driveway. If he does it, this should be your last date with him.
9. Honor your parents' curfew. Parents do not sleep well, if at all, until their children are home safely. It will make also make your date look bad, as your parents will think he is being disrespectful.
10. Regardless of whether you had a good time, write a simple (not overly gushy) thank you note for the evening. He and his family will be impressed.
Sherry Thomas is president of The Palm Beach School of Etiquette and Life Skills. Visit the school's website and follow her on Twitter @EtiquetteQueen.
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