I think this thread has veered off topic a little, but since I don't have time to read all 7 pages that have accumulated in one day, I'm just going to say what comes to mind.
GC can be intimidating--especially when you come here and it seems like everyone knows everyone and we're all buddy buddy. Some of us know each other IRL, but most of us don't--only what we learn about each other on GC.
I think being attacked or not within your first few posts has a lot to do with the topic you chose to discuss (ie-am I asking if even though I'm already initiated I can join another NPC or getting on here for your first time and letting Ms. attitude fly)
Becoming comfortable on GC has a lot to do with what first few posts you chose to make. I observed GC for almost a full year before I became an actively posting member. I was also very choosy about the threads I replied to. I started posting only in my orgs and then broadened out.
And, I'm not going to sit here and claim to be a 'senior member' or anything, but I've been pretty active on the boards all summer and have been able to offer insights, thoughts, pose questions-hell, I even let Ms. Attitude fly in the thread about Homosexuality & MS.
Some GC members do take the board wayyyy too seriously others, like me, I just think it's fun. I've been able to meet and network with greeks all over the country and I enjoy that. Sometimes, the atmosphere here is a little less than inviting but only if you take it that way. My most favorite GC members are the ones that say what they want to say no matter how it's seen (ehemm, AlphaFrog ,<333). They make this place the most fun because they often say the things that I want to say, but don't yet have the nerve.
Either way, GC is what you make it. If you think it's a place full of Ms. Attitudes then that's what you'll see.
If you think it's a place to meet people and share ideas, you'll find even more. (Behind the hazy overcast, that is)
