For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 09, 2019

I didn’t go to any my high school dances; didn’t know with whom to go.

School dances are a school function with mandatory attendance? That was never the case in my schools growing up.

I went to a dance, but didn’t dance.

If you don’t have anyone special to go with, then what’s the point in going anyway? That’s my philosophy.

Being constantly chosen last for phys-ed teams (on one occasion both teams insisted that the other take me!) taught me how to handle humiliation: Hate schools forever!

If you are going to join the working world of today after you graduate, then that’s a good lesson. No room for pride getting in the way at a job interview. They want smart and eager, but not stuck-up or self-indulging.

My old high school held dances a couple of times each year, at night. No mandatory attendance whatsowhoever. More like, if you didn’t go, everyone at school would ask you why not, next school day.

I remember going to one or two in junior high, and one in high school. Usually with friends, didn’t really have a boyfriend

Mandatory school dance. Harsh! What is this, Hogwarts?

Whenever someone tells me I HAVE to do something, I make it a point not to.

I remember going to my middle school dance and dancing on my own with both of my left feet—-and not caring who saw!

I went to a junior high school dance with a friend (female). A group of kids publicly humiliated me (long story short, they implied that I was a hooker), and my “friend” told me to find another way home. I swore that I would never go to another school dance unless a guy asked me. That said, I never went to another school dance.

When I was in high school, we had dances after every home football game. They weren’t mandatory, but it was a good way to blow off steam after a loss, or even a win. They were held in the cafeteria and we’d all take off our coats and dance until midnight. Nobody had to go with someone, but plenty of us met up with friends in the band, cheer squad, or football team. I always went with a bunch of my friends and we’d dance right in front of the big speakers. Those were some of the best times.

Exactly!!!

Lynn Johnston is from Canada. maybe it’s mandatory up there???

Always dance like nobody was watching have a ball life’s a cabaret enjoy the fun

Don’t forget learning about rejection also.

I was never much of a dancer. When I was invited to a dance, we would slow-dance once or twice, but sit out the rest of it. Needless to say, I wasn’t much of a date in those days.

My senior prom was canceled due to lack of interest. I know, classy school! My senior class was probably the biggest bunch of losers that school had ever seen.

I’m really happy that there are other ways in Europe to embarrass young people.

How very true.