Why Europe Rocks: Reason #21

The Ples: Not Your Typical Prom

Actually, "ples" is usually translated "ball," and if I had any experience with balls in the States, I'd do a little comparison contrast paper in the spirit of NHS (Davenport! Davenport! Davenport North!) But I don't, so what a Czech ples is, um, it's like if your school sponsored a prom but you could invite--& were expected to invite--your family and friends and if there were free flowing alcoholic beverages and lots of choreographed dancing and it lasts til dawn...that's a ples.



Strakonice High School seniors (including our friend Jirka) being presented to the crowd. Later that night, they also came out and danced to songs from Grease. The astute student of culture that I am (read: nerd) I charted the atmospheric flow of a standard ples. Arrival-10:30: general awkwardness, resulting from being too dressed up and not knowing many people, some dancing, watching the dance troup. 10:30-11:47: more dancing, people starting to loosen up, general excitment about the raffle. 11:47-12:22: The peak of the evening, lots of dancing and merriment, as most adults have imbibed. Notice this phase doesn't last long, because of the imbibing. 12:22-dawn: people falling while dancing, looking haggard, etc. Actually, I didn't make it till dawn, I made it till 12:32, but I think if I charted this on a graph the next few hours can be predicted with credible accuracy (read: super nerd).



Martin, Alca, Ruth and Jozef. I think this was still in the awkward stage, but WE weren't awkward and WE all danced, even to Czech songs I don't know the words to and still try to sing...ha! Some people don't even need to imbibe to be, mmm, cool. And if only the band would have covered some Roxette, I think we would have seen a side of Alca that few get to see, hey Pani Pospisilova?

So, in conclusion, the ples is a great chance to get to know students' families and friends, and if you cut out at the 12:22 mark you'll leave with a pleasant impression, and, if you're really lucky, a raffle prize.