Its six levels, large central atrium, and limited exits make the San Francisco Gift Center an excellent secure site for a teen party. San Mateo High School held its junior / senior prom last night, and the participants seemed to enjoy themselves more than I remember my classmates doing in 197X.
Most attendees arrived in pairs, but even the singles appeared to have a good time. Hundreds of kids crowded the floor, hopping, gyrating, screaming--the distinction between a dance and a concert seems to have blurred over the years. Yes, there were wallflowers who watched from the sidelines, and most were males.
Since maybe WWII it’s been true that more women then men want to dance, and one generational difference is that these high school girls don’t wait to be asked and don’t bother to look for a partner either. They just leap out onto the floor solo or with a girlfriend.
The crowd loosened up as the night wore on, and the fun was of the good, clean variety. Another difference between proms then and now: this one had over 20 adult chaperones, a breathalyzer test at the entrance, and both uniformed and plainclothes security. Regrettable but necessary precautions that made for a happy evening.
Top: Even the chaperones look real young to me.
Bottom: Halfway through the night.
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