nose piercing?
 

i plan on rushing at LSU this fall as a sophomore. i already know the fact that i'm a sophomore may count against me, but was wondering if my nose piercing would do the same. i would hate to go in to LSU's rush with 2 strikes already against me! it's just a small, pink stud and i personally think it's an awesome accessory. i think some sororities tend to be more conservative, and thought y'all might be able to give me your opinions. thanks! =)

I'm not an expert on nose rings.... but could you take it out for the rush parties? I don't know the culture of LSU and the Greek system besides the competitiveness and that they're somewhat conservative.

I think that small, tasteful noserings can look quite nice.

However, if you're already concerned that it may be a distraction, i'd say to take it out.

You want these girls to get to know YOU, not look at your nosering.:)

Kddani is right, it really all depends on how conservative your Greek system is.

When I rushed I had several piercings, including my tongue and rushed as a junior. Mind you Pi Phi is the only sorority on my campus, but it wasn't a problem or a problem or a distraction. In fact many of my sisters have facial piercings or tongie piercings.
Why don't you casually observing if any of the actives from different chapters are sporting facial piercings. Do you have a recruitment counselor you could discuss this with? If you do, they should know the answer.
If, when it comes time to rush you're still not sure, the best thing would be to take it out. If you're worried about it closing up there are things (sorry I can't remember what their called but your local tattoo/body piercing place will have them) that are not as noticable to place in the hole to prevent the hole from closing.

But I don't think it should be a problem as long as it's tasteful.

Woah, I would think twice about a certain sorority if they wouldn't accept someone w/ a NOSE ring. :eek:

It's not necesarily that they wouldn't accept them just because of it.

But greek life and rush at LSU is a whole different world......................

Being that LSU is way more competitive than UF and UF is pretty darn cut throat Id take it out to be on the safe side....

we are talking about a nose piercing? Wow......

My take is this; wear it and be proud that you have it, be proud of everything that you are. If a sorority doesn't accept you based on something as petty as that, you shouldn't want to be there anyway. I can't believe something like that would be a distraction, that's weak........

Anyway, it's hot and fresh out the kitchen....

Yes, it is weak. I don't agree with it. If she came to my chapter, that wouldn't be a problem or even something we'd do a double take on. Hell, one of the sisters in my chapter's a body piercer. Most of us are pierced multiple times.

But she asked a question about a specific school, a specific greek system, that is known for being quite conservative and cut throat.

It may be weak, it may suck, blah blah blah. But that's the way it is.

The amount of girls that go through rush and want certain houses, they may have to find all sorts of absurd reasons to cut someone, because they have to make the cuts.

I'd say take it out for rush, put it in for bid day. They can't do anything then, and it shouldn't matter then.

blah blah blah, sounds like conformity to me. People these days are too easily influenced by the others around them.

No matter the school, no matter the part of the country, if a person allows themself to be judged by "what is proper and what is not" they lose a part of themself, even if it's that little bit.

I'm saying be true to yourself, not to those that want to see you look/act/abide a certain way.

agree!
 

I'd say take it out for rush, put it in for bid day. They can't do anything then, and it shouldn't matter then.


__________________
I say take it out for rush, but once given the opportunity to be a sister like on bid day...the sisters will not care if you sport the nose ring! In fact, my chapter has to take off all facial piercings and earrings (except for one hole in each ear) for recruitment. But definately on bid day and the rest of the year, tongue rings and noserings are entirely fine! especially if it's really you!

thanks for the advice and opinions.
i agree that it's silly and stupid for people to judge based on such a small part of one's self, but i know that it happens. it's also true that i do NOT want to be part of an organization if they would care so much about my piercing, but i asked about it because i wanted to see if any of you had similar experiences and i'm anxious enough about rush already. thanks for the replies!

Well, no matter what, great luck and best wishes!

Question for anyone.....
 

Would you a wear a nose right or other visible piercing (besides ear) on a job interview? Not far a job working at a coffee shop or something, but in an office.

or how about walk in with a mohawk to interview for a job on Wall Street?

As a person going into a very conservative profession (law), I've been broadsided with all kinds of interview books, pamphlets, websites, advice, etc.

Some things are just risky on how they can affect your first impression. Some things aren't considered appropriate in certain areas of the world or certain professions. Walk into a courtroom with facial piercings or even in a bright purple polka dot business suit, see if the judge takes you seriously.

Conformity may suck, but to a degree, it's how the world works. Rush is one big interview with many many people.

And if she already has an idea that it may be distracting or thinking that she shouldn't do it, then she has already examined the culture and process, etc. of how it works.

Always err on the side of conservative when you're indecisive on things. Especially when it comes to clothing and appearances.

This may piss some people off, it's something that I used to not agree with, but it's reality.

Take it out. This is LSU we're talking about.

Re: Question for anyone.....
 

terviewing for a job and for membership in a glo are two different things.....but that's a new thread.

Basically I find it funny that so many greek orgs pride on the fact that "diversity" exists in the chapter. Yet, how is the "diversity" measured? By the degree of varying majors in the house? By the different activities people are a part of?

If people are all expected to act a certain way and look a certain way and be a certain way when rushing, where is the diversity? Where is the individuality? Does it even exist? Is it lost? If it is lost, is it found later on?

And for the record, a girl that I work with who is actually a manager of one of our branches has her nose pierced. She went to the interview with it, she was hired, and she wears it at work. There has never been a problem with it. Hell, I"m allowed to wear my earings at work and I wore them when I interviewed two years ago as well.....


But if this is the "elite LSU" we are talking about, I guess you should take it out?

So glad I don't go to school there :) Sorry, I'm not hating on any resident LSU students...buy DAYUM....

Oh I agree.

I wouldn't survive 2 minutes there :)

But i'm a product of a much different environment.

In any event, good luck to you, Moxie. Kick some ass :D

This my reasoning for you taking it out. Rush in the South is extremely cut throat especially at a place like LSU where you will be competing with a majority of freshman who are already going to have an advantage over you on the factor alone. Not only that everyone knows how some southern rushes work meaning alumnae pushing for their hometown favorites as well as a slew of legacies. All I am saying is that if it comes down to it and you and another girl are neck and neck, completely equal across the board and they can only take one of you it may be detrimental if you have a ring. Especially if a conservative alum happens to be there and is like oh no she has a nose ring and the other girl doesnt...lets take the other girl or even a conservative sister who has rank in the decisions. As sad as it is in America many are based on appearances and that cant be any truer than in South. Then on bid day put it in who cares. They will then care waaaaaaaay more about you than appearances. I mean if its first round and they have to cut 50% of the PNMs and only get to see them for 15-20 minutes....theres not a lot you can base your decision on rather than appearances and recs.

you should think about who you are and what you stand for...yes lsu greek life is probably a bit conservitive, HOWEVER you shouldn't change unless YOU want to! if the chapter you love loves you for who you are-then it's ment to be. if not, it's their loss for not getting to look at the real (and i'm assuming awesome) you! best of luck and follow your heart for what you think is best-things will work out for a reason and that's al that can be said! ;) keep us updated!

Some thoughts:

If you are a sophomore, don't people know you have a nose ring already?

If you take it out and pledge a GLO and then put it back in AFTER the GLO offers you a bid, won't they feel you "tricked" them? Not a good way to start off your sisterhood.

You said you wouldn't want to be a part of a GLO who didn't accept your piercing, so why would you NOT wear it if you are proud of it?

There was a thread about a married PNM rushing and whether she should mention it. Hiding that fact is not like forgetting to mention you hate green beans. I agree with kddani that rush is kind of like interviewing for a job. You owe it to the GLOs to show them who you are just as they should show you what they are all about.

There have been numerous threads on southern rush--it's a whole different ball game from rush at most other schools. You know what's expected or accepted by your question. Good luck and keep us posted.

...
 

I am so sorry that you even half to ask this question. Rushing at LSU must be hard core, I didn't realize it was this bad. When I was going to rush a social sorority I was told time and time again "be yourself". So my advice to you is to be yourself, if you feel you are the same girl with or without the nose ring just decide on what your best feeling is. Go with your heart. I know how hard it is to want to rush as an upperclassmen. I wanted to rush this year - lots of chapters at my school recommended it when they first met me and encouraged me to do formal rush instead of just COB. But then at the second event some of them found out I was in band(not that I'm ashamed at all), and that pretty much ended it for me. :( Silly isn't it how just a little thing can change a person's opinion of you?

But in all honestly it was the best thing to happen to me. Because if I hadn't been totally ignored by some of the bigger sororities on campus I wouldn't have realized how terrific my service sorority was. Yes, I know we're a service and not social - but our sisterhood is kick butt! And if I shaved my head and got any kind of piercing on my face they would still love me! So thats what I want for you. These girls are going to be your sisters - don't ever hide yourself or be embarassed about something that is your identity.

Good luck! And I hope LSU realizes what a great girl you are!!
:)

Just from reading posts on here, not only should you take it out, you should probably get a friend to hide it.

OK, I'm kidding. But we're talking a very, very, very traditional and conservative sorority system here. It's up to you, Moxie, whether that is something you can embrace or something you will just put up with.

Moxie,
Here is a whole schwack of LSU Rush thread of rushees who have gone before you.
Perhaps this will help you to figure out what to do about the nose ring conundrum?

Help! Nervous about LSU Rush
LSU Rush
justa Mom - How's LSU?
Rushing in Louisiana
I'm going nuts! LSU
and the thread that "tells it like it really is" at Southern Schools (i.e. LSU):
My Advice to Sorority Rushees

CutiePie, you're incredible!!

And what was that one about justamom's daughter's rush--something like They're Having a Blast!

Thanks, carnation!
You know, I am not really sure...I thought it was in the "just a mom - how's LSU?" thread....
BTW: since LSU is just 3 characters long, I did a search on *LSU* and that did the trick (with the wildcards in there)
------------------
A few minutes later....
Carnation, your memory is amazing...
here it is:
They're having a blast! (yet another LSU rush thread!) :D

Re: Re: Question for anyone.....
 

I think she was trying to say how things TYPICALLY work... not saying it ONLY goes this way. It's true though, more often than not employers interview many qualified canidates and have to base it on physical attributes. They have to think about how this might affect the working enviroment or how customers might react. I know if i went in to have surgery and my surgeon had a nose ring i might rethink that... i mean there is nothing wrong with it, go ahead, selfish expression is cool, I just don't find it very professional and feel you should put the needs and wants of those you are servicing before your own...

but what do i know, after all i just go to "elite LSU".... what was meant by that comment?????

All of a sudden this isn;t like other rush threads... what happened to be yourself, have fun, etc?

Girl rock the nose stud and be proud of it. If girls can't accept you for who YOU REALLY ARE, do you want them as sisters? Does having a sparkling nose accessory make someone less of a person?

Deffinilty no, and I understand that people do judge and first impressions do last, but I say as long as it's in good taste, wear it. They will deffinitly remember you! :)

Best of luck!

No, this isn't like other rush threads. We can be all hearts and flowers about it, but the reality is that this could be a problem at LSU. I don't know, though. SEC schools are really notorious for cut-throat recruitments. It may be harder (please correct me if I'm wrong here) to obtain a bid at LSU than it at most of the other SEC schools combined.

When there are XXX number of PNMs and X number of sororities, something has to give. There are only so many spaces for new members. We may not like it, but it's the reality of the situation. Therefore, to obtain one of those spaces you have to be the best YOU that you can be. I don't know how many sophomores receive bids at LSU, but I'd guess you could go to the sorority life or greek life office and ask them that question.

Curiosity question--is it a normal thing at LSU to see sorority girls with facial piercings? I'm not talking cartilage piercings, but nose/eye/lip/etc. If so, then it's probably a non-issue with most chapters. However, if facial piercings do not appear to be the "norm" then maybe Moxie is right to wonder if she should remove it for recruitment?

Moxie, if you haven't checked out some of the other LSU recruitment threads please do so. There's a lot of good information in them. Same goes for the "Advice" thread, I bumped that puppy up to make it easy to find :)

I hope this helps. Good luck with this decision and with recruitment. I LOVE recruitment threads!

Christin

I think the best thing is to tell Moxie "how it really is" and not rose-coat it. Then she can decide from there. This is LSU rush we're talking about...you want to give people a reason to embrace you, not cut you. Yes, I realize that this might be construed as "selling out" and what not, but reality is reality, not an ABC After-School Special where the person "stands up to conformity" and rides off into the sunset to be happy forevermore singing "Kumbaya", while people stand there, clapping and crying and wishing they could "be that brave". :rolleyes:

AOII alum, you gave excellent advice.

I think some of us are making Greek Life to be more important than it is (and before people decide to go off on me because I "don't understand how Southern Rush goes," I'm from the South, and I know how Rush goes. And the first opportunity I had to get out, I ran like hell.).

GLO Recruitment, even at LSU (keep in mind that we have some really cool independents here from LSU, it obviously doesn't ruin your life forever) DOES NOT EQUAL a job interview. It's not even the same thing. I can't believe it was even compared to that! If some girls (I will not say women) think your nose ring is more important than your potential contribution to the sisterhood, do you REALLY want to be with them?

I think everyone's doing a very good job of telling Moxie how it is. Unfortunately, it seems to be very shallow--not the people explaining the ugly truth, but the system.

Sorry to say, but I do believe that this is a fair question.

When I was active at a smaller school we asked that sisters with nose/eye/mouth (including tongue) piercings remove them during rush. These were women that we love, and we love them with their peircings, but it is distracting during recruitment. It makes it much easier to just take it out. Not only that but as someone else mentioned at a lot of place (again particularly in the south) we treat rush like a job interview... here is what we have, here is what you have, where do we go from here?
Unfortunately for some of us we don't have the luxury of not doing to the total rush thing, (matching outfits, balloons and decorations everywhere, decorating cars, etc!) It isn't as laid back as many places, although I really wish it were!

Also, just some FYI weed wacker wire is the perfect size if you are wanting to make sure it doesn't close up.

I have experience with LSU recruitment. True, recruitment isn’t a job interview but it is an interview nonetheless. Both sides are asking questions and measuring up the other to see if they are a good fit. Yes, there can be shallowness on both sides. NO SYSTEM can claim that theirs is completely unbiased in some fashion.

My advice is to remove it. Several collegiate members may also have such piercings but are asked to remove them prior to the events. Why? It creates an unnecessary distraction because it really isn’t the “norm.” The school is very conservative, located in a very conservative town and draws a mainly conservative population. The majority is not running around with unconventional piercings.

I also agree that you should do what makes you feel comfortable. However, if you wanted to wear a Buffy the Vampire Slayer T-shirt with Army boots to Preference, my advice would be the same. Don’t. It’s not the norm.

We have the same policy - all non-ear piercings have to come out for recruitment. It presents a better image of your chapter.

I honestly believe that wearig the nose ring/stud would hamper your chances. As Aopirose and Ilovemyglo said, the sisters are told to remove anything that would be a distraction plus a WHOLE lot of other do and don'ts.

It isn't so much that individual sorority members are against them-I would bet my bottom dollar there are TONS of belly buttons peirced-but because the GLOs ARE filled with diverse women, there are bound to be sisters in each sorority that sees it as a negative. No rushee needs a reason for someone to "dislike" her or feel she doesn't fit to the point where they might focus on it when cuts are made. It's NOT compromising who you are, it's doing what you can to get what you want. How much do you want it?

OMG! What she said! And what aopirose said!

I think that a nose piercing is fine especially if you like it. If it is a problem for the sister of that sorority then maybe you should think about the other personal compromises that you may end up making. You should not have to change to fit a sorority it should embrace you as you are.

Lot of Love,

Sigma Sigma Sigma

Moxie,
I've been on this board since May 2000, so I have a pretty good idea of who has been around for a while and therefore able to "speak from experience".

Since justamom and carnation and aopirose have experience with Rush at schools where Rush is EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE, I would really take the time out to listen them.

These ladies have valuable life experience and it's worth hearing (and heeding) what they have to say. Just my $0.02
Thanks.

I think if she is worried about it she needs to take it out. Otherwise she may end up spending her parties self-conscious and worried about it. There is enough stress in formal without stressing about something she can easily remove.

You can always start the parties without it and as recruitment progresses you can put it in for parties later in the week. By then they should know you well enough and you will probably feel more comfortable about it.

hey moxie....as a chi o here at LSU...i would strongly advise you to take out the nose ring. after reading all the other posts it appears that rush at other schools is much different from that at LSU. while i find nothing wrong with people having nose rings, it simply just isn't appropriate for rush, nor for your typical sorority girls here at LSU. for example, i know of only one girl in chi o who has a nose ring, and she just got it about 3 months ago and i certainly over heard people talking about how inappropriate it was....now the girl has to take it out for rush this fall. also, going though rush last fall, as a rushee, i went to a certain house (who i wont name) and one of the girls who rushed me had a tounge ring...it was so distracting that it was the one thing that stood out in my mind about that sorority and i cut them that night. so while i think individuality is a great thing, its sad to say...but individuality is limited in sorority life at LSU. i just thought i'd give u my opinion on the subject, but feel free to be yourself too!! lots of luck going through rush! it's such a great experience so make the most of it!!! maybe i'll see you at the chi o house!!

This matter is really very simple - it's called making a judgment call and being willing to accept the positive or negative consequences.

If Moxie prizes her individuality/fashion sense/personal statement to the extent that she refuses to compromise a simple nose ring during the rush process...more power to her! Everyone is free to dress as they wish at rush.

However, if she keeps it, she MUST accept that she is more likely to be cut. That's just a hard fact of life. She may not have a bid, but she'll have her "individuality" and a nose ring.

It all depends on what she values. Does she value having the opportunity to be a part of a sorority? Or does she value her personal style as expressed through her choice in accessories?

.....Kelly :)

I think it's a sad day and age when a nose ring is still too risque. I mean come on people, it's 2003!
However, being that I do not go to LSU and I have no idea what their recruitment process is like, I would suggest following the advice of those that do know the LSU recruitment process.
If LSU is as conservative as they describe (sounds like they have sticks up their behinds to me, but that's a different thread), I would go conservative. If rushing is something that is important you, you'll do what you can to get what you want. If at any time you feel that you ideas/values, whatever are being compromised by the rush process then all you have to do is drop.
While I think it's ridiculous to consider a nose piercing a distraction, it's something that can easily be removed for a week or however long their rush is.