'Prom nights' and other USA imports

Arising out of another thread, I was thinking about why the UK unthinkingly imports into social festivities so many largely commercial Americanisms.

Besides Prom Nights, think of Hallowe'en; the Easter Bunny; Wedding Showers and all the associated nonsenses.

None is particularly wrong, I acknowledge. But nor is any of them really worthwhile either.

Your thoughts?

It's the "Americanisation" of the world, if that's even a word.

Hallowe'en has been around for hundreds of years; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating

But I get what you mean about the commercialising of it, which is what the US does best really...finding ways to make money from something.

It just sucks that the more annoying parts of it get imported over here, like the Prom Night BS

we are a mish mash of other races and peoples customs and languages and ideas

---------- Post added 30-05-2018 at 18:42 ----------

I mean we were too stupid to have farming until it was brought from Syria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_the_United_Kingdom#History

I quite like the move to formal proms.

The church hall disco in a shell suit was a thing of its time but the 'occasion' of completing education is good to celebrate.

Not saying I'd like to pay for one, mind.

I like ‘The Simpsons’ but I really do not like their Hallowe’en episodes.

I just cannot see the point of "Proms" what's it actually short for, promenade, promise ?

I just cannot see the point of "Proms" what's it actually short for, promenade, promise ?

Promenade Dance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom

Arising out of another thread, I was thinking about why the UK unthinkingly imports into social festivities so many largely commercial Americanisms.

 

Besides Prom Nights, think of Hallowe'en; the Easter Bunny; Wedding Showers and all the associated nonsenses.

 

None is particularly wrong, I acknowledge. But nor is any of them really worthwhile either.

 

Your thoughts?

You mention Hallowe'en. Well expect an increase in 'Day of the Dead' festivals imported from Mexico. As others state, we generally take on immigrants celebration, think of how big Diwali is areas of the Midlands & Southall?

No problem with it, as long as our indigenous festivals, religious or secularist, don't get dropped or sidelined. May 21st 2018 was Whit Sunday but where were the processions of a few decades ago?

But while you ask are we adopting other's practices, I wonder how many foreigners turn up to that purely English festivals of celebrating the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge or Glastonbury?

More hallmark days we get pressured into spending money on. I would love to go back to the basics... birthdays, Christmas, wedding anniversary and maybe even mothering Sunday.

Promenade Dance.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom

Yes, but why promenade? As far as I know promenade means to walk up and down a stretch of road or sea front.

At about 16 years old nearly all children move on to a different form of education which means they go their separate ways.

They have just finished a year of exam pressure.

Its an end of term do, controlled by the school.

Kids love it.

The amount of good will shown to each other at this time is inspiring. The dressing up effort is just part of the ritual.

In days of black and white when children left at different ages leaving was chaotic and often unpleasant.

Yes, but why promenade? As far as I know promenade means to walk up and down a stretch of road or sea front.

To be paraded, shown off, introduced to society.