[Erik P Conard]

When Mother Lesh, in her 80s, would be absented from our table,
we would have the "Gentlemen's Freestyle Wolfing Contest." We
had a few of us who would inhale a pizza or slurp down the old
spaghetti red, or other such fare--in record time.
We took pride in inviting the dean or the president or parents or
prominent locals to sup with us. We had spirited songs between
the main course and dessert. While nostalgia make take hold, I
yet respect the posture held then. But, yes, times have changed.
It is true, today with the working mom not having time, and the
fast food outlets..that many things, manner-wise, have been ignored. I do not know whether farting at the table is acceptable
now, but 'spose so.
We would not DARE enter the Kappa house without exhibiting our best manners. A disapproving glance from the hostess would shame us at once.
Many a job luncheon would result in a hiring or flushing by the simple use or ignoring of dining manners.
Just one of the things that would distinguish greeks from barbs
was the ability to dine with a modicum of dignity. It is not too late. When the present generation kicked out the housemothers,
and began throwing up on the Pikes' porch, we lost something besides our beer.
Today's greek may scoff at the thoughts of manners and gentle
dining, they may return. When we come to our senses, ban
booze from the house and deflower the co-eds somewhere else
than the second floor of the fraternity, we might just recapture the dignity we once had. I feel sure this will be met with some
opposition...This missive is aimed at the greeks who have houses
or a place to meet and eat.