A Guide to the Sadie Hawkins Dance

Sparkler indianpianist has written this empowering guide to the Sadie Hawkins dance! —SparkNotes editors

If you live in the US and go to a public high school, chances are your “Sadie Hawkins” dance is coming up.  For those of you who don’t know, Sadie Hawkins dances (or “Sweetheart,” as ours is called) are defined by Urban Dictionary as “an occasion when women take the initiative in inviting the men of their choice to a date.”

Yes, you can do that anytime if you really feel like it, but this dance gives girls that extra nudge—and some gutsy girls use the opportunity to ask their dream guy. For those of you who are thinking of asking someone, there's a lot to consider:

1. Who do I ask?
This is probably the first question that comes to mind. The answer? Whoever you want! Yes, some boys will say no. However, chances are that the majority of boys will be jumping for joy that they got asked. Consider asking someone you actually like; that's probably be the best option, because it could lead actual dating. If you don't have your eye on anyone, ask a best guy friend (friends are okay for these types of dances).

2.  How do I ask him?!
This is totally personal. You can just go up to him and ask him if you want, or you can turn it into a big deal. A year ago, one of my friends asked a guy to Sweetheart by, with his teacher's permission, making a question on his Chem final “Will you go to SH with ______?” You can write on his windows, make him cupcakes (food is the best way to a man’s heart, or so my mom says!), or do an interpretive dance.

3. "I want to hang out with a guy, but don’t really want to go to the dance."
Don’t worry, this is totally normal! A lot of times, dances can get awkward. If you think you’d have more fun going on a “date” type event with this guy, then ask him to hang out that night. Say something like, “Hi.  You’re a cool kid to hang out with. I have nothing to do on the day of the dance. Care to hang out that night?”  Chances are that he will (1) be hanging out with other friends and will invite you along, (2) be thrilled and hang out with you, or (3) tell you that he can’t because of ____, ____, or ____, in which case, you just say, “Okay, maybe some other time!”

Happy Sadie Hawkins-ing!

Have you asked someone/been asked by someone to the Sadie Hawkins Dance? How'd it go down?

Related Post: The Five Types of School Dance Dances