<p>Why are all my friends bugging my kid about the senior ball? --weenie</p>
<p>Because it’s a big event, a lot of seniors will attend, and it’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when they run into your son at Starbuck’s or Chipotle. It’s just a natural topic to bring up to a high school senior. Compared to other timely topics of discussion that have to do with high school, it seems like one of the safer subjects.</p>
<p>I am particularly bad at making appropriate conversation when I’ve got my mind on some other chore. I get hijacked in the grocery store all the time, and you wouldn’t believe what idiocies tumble out of my mouth when I have to stand there and carry on a succinct, but sensible conversation with one of my son’s friends. </p>
<p>What I’m thinking is…“Had any parties lately in your mother’s house while she was working? I saw you the other day driving like a maniac.” </p>
<p>What I say is…“Hi, what’s up?”</p>
<p>If I have to stand there for longer than three minutes, I’ll start spilling my guts about something that will humiliate one or more members of my family. I’m probably one of those people who would ask your son about the Senior Ball in a desperate attempt to avoid asking him about anything else that might open up a fresh wound. I already know better than to ask about college plans. And, I don’t keep track of these kids well enough to know what organizations they’re in or where they’re working or any other pertinent details about their lives. </p>
<p>Your friends are not purposely trying to bug your son about his personal business…except for the lady who keeps trying to set him up with her son’s g/f. 
If they’re like me, it’s a fairly innocuous and relevant thing to ask him about this time of year.</p>