Quote:
Originally posted by ADqtPiMel
Oh, boy. This is good advice.
This year in recruitment, a friend of mine (I'll call her Amy) who is in another sorority was talking to a PNM during recruitment. Amy had just broken up with her boyfriend and was still relatively upset about it. Amy and her boyfriend had met while they both were working at a popular restaurant.
While talking to this PNM, the topic of work comes up and Amy mentions that she works at this restaurant. The PNM perks up and asks, "Do you know John Smith?" (Amy's ex-boyfriend) Amy asks the PNM how she knows John, and the PNM replies, "He's my boyfriend of about a year."
Amy was DEVASTATED. Can you imagine finding out your boyfriend had cheated on you with a girl you're rushing? 
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OH MY GOSH! THIS HAPPENED IN MY CHAPTER FOUR YEARS AGO!!! (Before my time, but the stories get told at work week every year). PNMs... here is why talking about your boyfriend can be a bad idea!
We use the "Four B's" in my chapter for a guideline of what NOT to talk about
1) Boys - for the reasons mentioned above, and also if you are the type who likes to make a different "friend" every time you get drunk, you don't want to be telling girls that when you are trying to impress them!
2) Booze - you want to show them other sides of yourself, besides the fact that your nickname is "Kegstand Karen" or whatever. I'm sure that your personality is way more impressive than your drinking abilities! If you are a PNM and you don't drink, you can feel free to ask if there are girls in the chapter who also don't drink - my chapter has the reputation for being a "party" house, and we have soooooo many girls who don't drink... and you will find the same thing in most chapters.
3) Beliefs (also called Bible/Bush) - you don't want to get into a political or religious argument during recruitment. A lot of people hold their beliefs really close to their heart, so bringing them up could open a can of worms. This is tricky when you worked for the Kerry campaign last summer or your big extracurricular activity is Campus Crusade for Christ. If I were you, I would bring it up, but in a very laid-back sort of a way - so that no one could possibly construe it as you pushing your beliefs on them.
4) Bankbook - don't talk about how much money your father makes, and if a chapter asks you questions like this, honestly I think it's pretty inappropriate (and I was recruitment chair). You can of course ask questions about dues, live-in requirements, and scholarships - just steer away from questions like, "Wow, you girls all have really nice clothes... so is everyone in this chapter super-rich?" (It's been asked before!)
In terms of what to say, just be yourself! The most natural girls are generally the ones who do best in recruitment! Show off your fabulous personality, and don't be afraid to ask the active you are talking to questions - bring up the O.C. if its your favorite show (I know you can't move in my chapter's TV room when that show is on) or talk about the concert you went to this summer (great suggestion i stole from someone before) or your hobbies. If you are stuck for conversation, complimenting someone on something adorable or unusual about her outfit is a great icebreaker - everyone likes a compliment, and it can generally spin off into a conversation about shopping/personal style/etc (like the conversation Mary talked about before!)
Good luck to all the PNMs!!!