When I was in high school……(was it really that long ago? ), my mother made my prom dresses which were very cool and I spent the day polishing my nails, “setting” my hair, tweezing my eyebrows and spending extra time on my make up. My boyfriend picked me up in his mother’s car instead of his beat up old Falcon and after my parents snapped a few pictures, off we went to the high school gym. The formal was followed by an all night party which consisted of a movie at the local theater then off to the country club for a few games and a breakfast. The all night party required a second change of clothes which were casual and easily removed…….in some cases. Total cost including tickets: $100. 00 if you were really extravagant.

Today, thanks to Keeping Up with the Kardashians and other reality shows, some teenagers (parents) are breaking the bank to show up at the prom. Lets start with the gowns. Some, yes some are spending anywhere from $300 to $6000 on beaded dresses and matching designer shoes. The days preceding prom are filled with manicures, pedicures, spray tanning, teeth whitening, Botox injections, eyebrow threading and hair extensions. On the day of the prom, walk into any Macy’s and the make-up counters are filled with the young ladies getting their makeup and false eyelashes applied by professionals. Then, on to the hairdresser for the up-do. After photo sessions with friends (a date is no longer required), dresses are lifted as they step into a double decker Hummer limos complete with stripper poles, which take them to a five star restaurant for dinner which is barely touched for fear of smearing the lip gloss and looking bloated. On to the prom which is often anywhere BUT the high school gym. Then there is the “after prom” dress and the weekend getaway to the Hamptons or the equivalent. Total cost: $1000 to as much as $20, 000.

My guess is that most of the time, they will be on their IPhones and Androids texting each other and sending pictures to Facebook. Do you suppose they have an app for satisfaction?