SUCH A PET PEEVE HERE!!!

GIVE A GOOD FIRM HANDSHAKE!!!
(if you're allowed by panhel rules)
A weak handshake is the worst thing in the world. Grip firmly, up down twice, smile. Introduce yourself. If you have an unusual name, say it clearly. If you have a "preferred name" (I.E. TJ or Katie not Katherine) this is the time to state it (especially because nametags usually read "proper"names).

Weak handshakes convey a sense of unease and do not convey confidence and strength.

This is so true. Lots of times, you may casually mention something not realizing it could potentially offend the other person. 2 years ago, my roommate decided to go through recruitment, and one night in our room mentioned that she has a twin brother. One of my sisters asked her where her brother goes to college and my roommate told her that he doesn't go to school. She later told me that she was a little offended that my sister assumed that everyone would go to college.

Sorry for the double post, but I thought of another thing. If you are on a campus where there are both national and local groups, or groups from different councils, and you don't know anything about the other groups, say so in a POLITE way. Being the only local group on campus, we have heard many times from several different girls that the other groups on campus would say "this is how we do things because we're all national but we don't know about KLP cuz they're different and local" or something like that but it was said in a way that made it seem like we weren't a real sorority or something.

I only hope the women who are rushing also learned not to bring these up or risk losing a bid.

If you are in a situation where there are two sisters to one PNM: Be Aware of the other rusher with you!! I've seen overly talkative sisters completely drown out their partner or cut them off. PNMs will notice this and they will also notice if the other sister is getting visibly annoyed. Alternate answerig and asking questions so the PNM can see both personalities. Also, although it is good to show that you are close with your sisters be careful it doesnt' turn into a conversation between the two of you (this is more dangerous during informal)

honeychile brought up the no perfume issue and one thing we did one year was put the SAME scent on some different people, so it wasn't too strong but had a nice smell in the room.

The only reason we couldn't do it exactly this way was that 5-6 sisters had SEVERE allergies, and we couldn't find one that worked. So, we kept it to a minimum instead.

If the PNM has an unusual or slightly funny name, don't comment on it. Be mature instead! They've heard ALL the jokes already.

Take this advice from someone who has a last name that makes other people feel that they just have to make a "clever" comment!

Co-Sign

With the name Summer I get....
"But it's winter out side..."
"Where are Autumn, Winter, and Spring?"
"Are your sisters Autumn, Winter, and Spring?"
at least once a week.

DON'T GO THERE.
*lol* It just makes you look cheezy anyway.

On the perfume topic, I agree with the idea of everyone wearing the same scent, or at least scents that don't clash. Anyway, I wouldn't recommend perfume, but scented body lotion is a great and light way to wear a scent. Fresh floral ones are best in my opinion.

The only problem with that is perfume smells different on everyone. It might be great on the rush director, but smell like crap on everyone else. Perfume is such a personal thing, I could never deal with someone telling me what to wear - I'd rather just go without.

I agree on the firm handshake.

When another sister comes over to bump you and meet the PNM you're talking to, always introduce the sister to the PNM first. "Susie PNM, I'd like you to meet my sister Annie. Annie, this is Susie. We were just talking about..." Make sure the convo gets going, then move on through your own rotation.

Say nothing negative during a party, even if you're not talking to a PNM directly. I half-remember a story here on GC where a PNM lost interest in a particular sorority after overhearing a sister say to another sister, "I'm so sick of rush" (or something to that effect) during a party.

Aephi Alum you bring up a good point about handshakes. But make sure it's not too firm - one time I thought a PNM was going to rip my hand off!

Along with the say nothing negative, just be positivity itself. I know how hard this can be at the end of a long day, so have things on hand between parties to psych you up. I always put some m&ms in an area where PNMs didn't go, and between parties I would dash to that lil place and get my chocolate fix. And of course we all relied on each other to keep things going.

I'll stop my babbling now!

Another thing on handshakes...

I know at Auburn we were NOT allowed to touch the PNMs in any way unless they initiate it first. So make sure you are allowed to shake a girls hand first. But if she goes to shake your hand, then by all means, shake away ;)