Formal dates can leave you wishing the night would never end or wishing you would get sent home by risk management just so you can be done with your date. Sometimes you're able to secure a date months in advance and sometimes you have to take what you can get or go alone, which can still be fun.
In college, every formal date is going to fall into a category, and each of those types has a similar outcome.
1. Your Best Guy Friend/Boyfriend - Your boyfriend is your closest guy friend, and your closest guy friend is basically a boyfriend without all the intimacy. You'll have a great night trying to make him dance and laughing when he does that one really bad dance move. While he might not want to dance, he'll definitely feed you after and make sure you get home safely.
2. A Blind Date - The problem with a blind date is that you don't know if you'll get along or not until it's too late. He could be there just looking to have fun with a cute girl, or be waiting for formal to end so he can get you back to his place. Be wary of the blind date and who you let set you up. Some people are a known campus match maker while others are notorious for setting up the worst possible pair.
3. A Crush - You engage in some friendly chit chat, you've thoroughly checked his social media, and you've set your sights on him. Formal is your chance to pounce when you can let him know you're interested but don't need to ask him on a date. There's two outcomes: you totally hit it off and this becomes something more or you see a side of him you can never un-see
4. A Friend of a Graduated Sister - If your boyfriend or guy best friend can't make it, your next best option is a friend or an older sister. Unless you get into a fight or she gets sent home, you're guaranteed a great time. She'll get down to your favorite songs with you and will also make sure to get food with you afterwards.
After attending my fair share of formals and date parties, I've come to a conclusion: the only way you're almost guaranteed a great time is to bring a friend. Your friends will have your best interests at heart and you'll already be comfortable around your date. Sure, formal is a fun event to bring a guy to, but why not choose someone you already know and care about?
