What do you consider 'Fratty'?
 

what do you think?

I could have sworn there were topics about this, but here goes:

In the north you're going to find a wide variety of norms, depending on the school. Some schools the guys will be mostly prep, with the Brooks Brothers/Vineyard Vines thing going on (since Vineyard Vines is, in fact, a Northern company, and a lot of Northeasterners vacation in Martha's Vineyard). As far as vacation spots or whatever - a lot of people in the Northeast go to the Cape, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Long Island, Fisher's Island, or any number of other places around here for weekends away.

Again, though, it's hard to generalize because the schools up here tend to get a wide mix of guys from a wide variety of areas. As a result you could even have a mix of backgrounds within a single chapter. The Northeast itself is fairly mixed as far as that goes overall - what you'll find in the Boston area is different than what you'll find in CT, NY, NJ, NH, RI, etc. Each of the states is fairly distinct. Even the areas within the states are fairly distinct (i.e. Central CT vs. the Gold Coast, Boston and Metro West vs. Western MA).

As an example - my chapter had guys from the South, West, Midwest and Northeast, so there was a variety of guys even within my own chapter.

I can only really speak about the Northeast though - I grew up and went to school in New England (and have lived here since), so I'm most familiar with this region.

I suggest you do a search of threads with "fratty" in the title. There are quite a few that talk about this same subject.

You might also look at:

Dress Code Across the U.S.

Northern Preppy vs. Southern Preppy

Any fratty colleges outside of south?

What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

South vs. North?

As you read through these threads, you might note that this topic often has high trainwreck potential.

(And as I don't have much else to do tonight obviously, and I guess I'm feeling old and crotchety, I'll just say that here is one Southerner who will be so glad when the word "fratty" is out of style and people are preppy again.)

Those threads are also a good reminder that these topics tend to get nasty. People start making generalizations about the North or South, and it goes downhill from there.

Well here's a young Northerner that agrees with you.

Oh wow, well I go to school in the Northwest and from what you have said here our fratty is way different. At least in the way I see things but don't take my word for it.

At my school the fratty look is (or at least what I think it is) fitted hats, baller shorts/jeans, hoodies (with or without house blocks on it)/northface jackets, t-shirts (graphic or not), diamond stud earrings, and high top sneakers (air forces, jordans...). However the preppy and skater looks are popular as well. Preppy here would be considered Hollister, American Eagle, Abercrombie and Fitch, and maybe Aeropostale.

Hoodies, piercings, gel in hair, graphic tees, and tattoos are all acceptable and quite common as well. I figured popped collars went out of style everywhere.

I don't think I have seen anyone wear seersuckers ever. Blazers only come out on very special occassions. I myself have never worn one even to the most formal of my fraternity events. Usually the most formal it gets is dress shirt, dress pants, and a tie.

As for cars I would say either trucks or ricers, but I dont think there is really any car considered fratty at my school. Usually people just drive whatever.

Sorry, but I have to laugh to myself. In the old days, A&F was the epitome of preppy. That was a long time ago, though.

As for seersucker, that really is a Southern thing, I think. Hot summers and all.

I love seersucker. I especially like a gentleman in a blue seersucker suit. :)

You see it every once in a while up here, although I'll agree it is more of a Southern thing; it's definitely sold in all the men's clothing places up here (Brooks Brothers, etc.), and I've seen a few people wear it during the summer months. I've also seen it once in a while on the Vineyard.

Even during the summer, though, you still see most business people up here wearing dark suits. If people are going to go with lighter colors, they'll go with a grey or a light color, or just go with the lighter fabric (and still wearing the darker colors).

ETA: I still think these threads are doomed from the start, because people are going to start spouting off stereotypes. Or you'll get the "I lived in the North/South for x number of years, so I know it, and it was like this," when in fact their perception was completely incorrect.

Stop...right there.

FWIW, I think JackNimble is a troll if I had to guess.

What I don't get is when guys get upset when someone calls their fraternity a "frat" but then tons of them use the term "fratty". I have a hard time reconciling that...

Cuz cunty isn't a word.

Haha. I actually heard someone use it the other day. But I think that has more to do with the location of my new job—this city is the trashiest place ever.

I think the reason no one frowns on using "fratty," is because it is only ever used in jest. No one would seriously use that word, unless they are the definition of trying too hard (in which case, most people would just ignore them).

Also, anyone who refers to frattinghard.com is either a troll or has an invalid opinion (see: "trying too hard"). FACT.

I like "cuntastic". Because that's what many girls are. ;)

I agree. Referring to FH is low-tier stuff.

The less publicized of the websites is better. That is, OR.

Here's my advice to the OP from a recent UofA alumn. Sigma Pi needs to focus far more on brotherhood and the things which a small chapter can provide during rush, rather than "frattiness". The guys who are "fratty" are not going to go Sigma Pi because its new...they will be going to the more established houses (yes I know y'all came on early on in the 20th century but still). Your rush chair last year was trying way too hard during formal rush. I know he's gone now.

I know I may be sort of "unfairly attacking" because you yourself hasn't expressly stated that you're putting frattiness over quantity...but I have seen it happen within your chapter.

Especially when the examples of "fratty" given by the OP are basically stereotypes themselves.

Oh absolutely...because people in the North have no idea about the value of the dollar...

Seriously?

Oh Lordy, PLEASE don't start this...do a search and read the other threads on this topic. From one Arkansan to another - This conversation is going to go nowhere and make you look like the stereotypical southern "frat daddy" and not a proud Sigma Pi. Take the high road and DO NOT generalize about all things southern.

never rockports?

rockports are the real boat shoe

you're in a poser frat

Hear, hear. There are certain Southern traditions that will always endear the heart.

You're pledges aren't gentlemen already? That doesn't sound fratty.

Sorry about your dad being a drug addict though.

When worn with the requisite bow tie, I refer to it as the Southern lawyer's summer uniform.

Oh great. The second newbie this weekend to tell us why he joined the fraternity he did by bashing other fraternities.

I think it might be the same person. I also this is the same person that posted as Jack Sprat or Jack Horner or whichever nursey rhyme to basically prove his own point.

There seems to be a lot of sockpuppets/trolls around and not even good ones like sheetcake.

There was a sheetcake at the church thing I went to today for the one Reverends last Sunday. I need to know if it was appropriate, or if I should have stolen it and mailed it to Guam. (I heard there's a shortage of sheetcake in guam.) [said name three times for luck]

Argh - he's a pirate!

I actually though he might be Cockney, but I guess that would've been "me mum."

i have always viewed highly of rockports, but i more consider them an after college type of shoe, like a business shoe, but thats just me, the noobie.

Then you might have left out the name of the fraternity when saying that your dad and all his brothers have had major substance abuse problems. It comes across sounding like joining that fraternity = substance abuse issues.

I am new to these forums, and planned on posting here once in a while. I am no troll. Somebody asked what fratty is and I honestly think that's what fratty is at my school. If the topic is too sensitive I am sorry but that isn't something you can blame on me. I just dont have a problem discussing sensitive topics. I dont know this Jack Sprat or Jack Horner and never used those names in any forums. Jack Nimble has been my internet name for years now.

I fail to see any legitimate reason why I am being accussed of being a troll and if somebody could PM me with an explanation that would be great.

And in all honesty I find the notion of "fratty" to be funny and enjoy talking about it. Yes "fratty" is discussing a stereotype. If you aren't comfortable with it then stay out of the thread and leave it for people who want to talk about it.

well then, you and croakies enjoy your discussion.

Greetings from Pittsburgh!
 

Your wardrobe sounds perfect to take in a Steeler game. And let me tell you, there is NOTHING that women up here appreciate more than being treated like helpless southern belles. Come on up sometime! :p Oh, and make sure you wear a pink polo (collar up) under your Steeler jersey. That will bring you a lot of attention!

Or, since you're new to the forum, maybe take a pass on telling those who are not new how to do things, especially when the main thing they have been doing is pointing out how previous threads on this topic -- which may be read by all kinds of people, not just collegiate Greeks -- have turned into train wrecks and celebrations of stereotypes, something that someone who is new might not know.

Welcome to Greek Chat.

Trust me I know of the possibility, but after all it's just a discussion on the internet.

Wow - another moron.

It's where I would go if I need a link to music stuff or a bar rundown for an away game. Better entertainment value, but some of the stuff I just could never bring myself to weigh in on. Plus the constant outing.

Love this.

I didn't even understand half of the original post. Croakies and bowties? I'm pretty much completely lost. I would just about die if I saw any of the fraternity men around here wearing that stuff. I didn't think being "fratty" was a topic of discussion up north. I didn't even know there was a "definition" of that word.

And if anyone tries to treat me like a helpless southern belle, I'd probably tell them to chill out and have a beer... and to take off that damn shirt with the popped collar.

Oh, and if this...

... was the case here, the fraternities would die out.

(*minus the whole popped collar thing, because again, no one really does this, nor should they)

I agree.

Although, I love the constant outing. But yes.

FH is trying waaaay too hard. I kind of think the owners are like from New Hampshire or something.

Hey, don't be bashing NH :D

I LOL'd.

Bless your heart. "Helpless Southern belle" is, of course, an oxymoron. There is no such thing. ;)