"I like your [insert 'nalia]" comments?
 

Sorors...

I am noticing a new "trend" and wonder if anyone else is experiencing this in other areas. (Then again, maybe it's not new and I just never noticed it.) The other day while in the drive thru the cashier kept looking at the front of my car and then back up at me. Finally as I get to the window to pay, she says "I like your tag", then "I like your jacket". Yes, I had on a pink & green jacket and have an AKA tag on the front of the car.

I simply said thank you. They never say anything else after I say thank you, but this is not the first time its happened to me. My husband was with me one of the times and said "should someone tell her that's not discreet?". So it was obvious to him too that she was fishing I guess.

A few other sorors locally have told me that have had the same interaction, so is this some new thing to get conversation started or what?

Hmmm, I never really thought about it until you just mentioned it here, but I, too, have received the proverbial "I like your keyring/jacket/license plate/t-shirt ..." Ironically, it's been mostly from sorors whom I receive the comment from to indicate that they, too, are members of our illustrious sorority. I very, VERY seldom get it from non-greeks. I usually get that longing drooling stare of what could be if they could only just one day ... ~giggle~

I know a woman who started college in one place and then took about ten years off (had a family, moved, different careers, etc).

At school A, what the OP described was exactly the way one was "supposed" to express interest.

Well, ten years later, she attended school B, tried that method, and the sorority member said... "Thanks!" and kept it moving.

It's a very weird way to do things, but in some places, that was the order of the day.

Same here. I usually get it from another soror. Actually, one of the times it happened I kept thinking maybe the woman was a soror, but figured out rather quickly that she wasn't. ;)

Maybe b/c I am in a college town there are more "interested" ladies? smile

I am beginning to think this is an attempt to do just that. But really, what can you say other than "Thank you"? Especially in a drive thru at McDonald's? LOL

Today I spoke with a close younger relative who is in college and coincidentally she mentioned her interest in a D9 organization. When I told her how important it was to be discreet, she told me that she was told at her school to express interest this way.

I let her know how I respond to that and told her to take from that what she will; but I am not so sure this is a good tactic.

I've gotten similar comments from non-greeks, usually on a jacket or t-shirt. I say thanks and KIM. if the convo goes further, it usually results in the person either a. being interested in greek life when they were in school/younger or b. knowing a family member/friend who is a member of a BGLO. to me, its not much different than wearing, say, a tshirt from your church or school and someone making a connection. i have a UCLA sweatshirt and i get at least one "Go Bruins!" shoutout every time i wear it. I didn't go there, but people like to connect.

It may be a little different up in these parts-less about showing interest and more about it looking fashionable or just the appeal of being black and greek. One guy asked me where he could get one, that he looks good in blue and would go great with sneakers he'd just bought.

Turns out, he thought it was a racing-type jacket that was/is in style, with all the patchwork and what not. Which, I suppose, I can see the resemblance in a varsity-style line jacket.

Whenever I get compliments from non-greeks(on those rare occasions that I pull the 'nalia out), I say thanks and keep it moving. It doesn't generally generate more conversation.

While I would tend to think that such a compliment from a young lady would suggest interest, with me it would not be the most effective way. Like several of you have said, where can such an opener really lead? I certainly learned different ways to indicate my interest in my time.

Of course, as Sen said, things do work differently in different parts. A savvy interest looks before she leaps.

It depends on where I am.

The nonSorors who "like my 'nalia" are sometimes more concerned with where I went to school, want to see if we know the same people, and are just eager to network with other college educated Black women.

I saw a Delta with the cutest lapel pin. So I told her how cute I thought it was and asked where she got it cause I wanted to get one for my aunt. She didn't know I was an AKA until after she told me where to get the pin. I don't wear much 'nalia so I've never had compliments outside of AKA circles. I will start to watch and listen more around campus though.

If I like what you're wearing, I usually will compliment you on it, regardless of whether it's Greek-related or not. It's never really occurred to me that would matter. (I mean, to me, if someone tells me they like my Delta bag, I wouldn't really take that any different than if they told me they think my shoes are cute - and I would be pleased with either compliment :D )

This is a friendly reminder for some posters that:

This is an open board, everyone is welcomed to post and share their experiences. And under Announcements, the Pearls of Wisdom (POW) are posted for a reason.

According to protocol, please refrain from using titles only in the appropriate place and time.

If you are a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. please announce yourself in the appropriate forum--until then, your membership is questioned and held suspect. Really, what do you have to hide?

Comments can and will be moderated as such.

Thanks!

Was that me for me? :o Sorry. I think I introduced myself some time ago but I can do it again if I need to. :)

No, that was not directly aimed at you. However, the use of "soror" is a term that needs to be used within official sorority activities according to the new protocols. Since it is apparent that non-members are posting, which is fine if your topic is meant for everyone to be read by all, try to refrain from using it here--most sorority sisters make this one, I have, too. And, in POW, according to our rules, members of the Sorority are requested to practice protocol at all times. Several Former Directorate lurkers read these boards.

There are others who have not announced themselves and they know who they are. We have requested that they post and we have shown them where to do it. They choose to ignore our suggestions. Thus, their membership is suspect and they are perpetrating a member.

Funny something like this happened to me and all I had on was a pink sweater set and pearls. The person went on about how they liked the color and my pearls, I too figured out that they were not a sorority member because a member would have responded differently.

Wow, interesting thread....
It's funny because I actually did this!! A new line had just crossed on my campus and one of my associates who I am in another organization with wore her line jacket to practice one day.. It was soooo cute a creative. (I cannot tell you what it said because that would give away the chapter's location) But i was like "Awww, that is so cute" She smiled (being a neo) and said thanks, and we continued to practice.....
But wow....now that u mentioned, I hope she didn't take my sincere compliment as a desperate attempt to show interest in her sorority...eww, NOT attractive....People's perceptions can be soo different sometimes...that would be the LAST time I ever compliment an AKA!!! haha. jk...but u get my point...

You sound quite concieted....but who am I to judge you when I just had a similar conversation with my friend the other day about young ladies who compliment my shoes, hair, outfit, ect just to be my friend....same concept? hmm? (Shrugs shoulders) U really opened my eyes...maybe SOME of them genuinely like the item they compliment...