All bridal showers I've attended have been like JJ described. However, some of the girls have been given "bachelorette parties" where they go party-hardy and act like it's their last chance to do anything crazy before they tie the knot.

My best friend had a bachelorette party at Chippendales (this was 20 years ago) and I went. I hadn't ever been to a place like that. It was quite entertaining, I must say, but I didn't actively participage in the tucking of money into the dancer's pants. And the dancer went around the room kissing the girls in the front row, of which my friend partook - aaack!

I never felt the need for that type of party, but then I'm not a real drinker and partier to begin with. Maybe now some women are including the bachelorette party with the bridal shower? Tacky, in my opinion.