New Skool-Old School, It's all Greek to me!

[GiggyZ]

This is a spin off of the fads topic. I mentioned earlier that when I was a younger member of Zeta we did not use handsigns as frequently. As a matter of fact if you look at my campus yearbook Greek photos (1979-1983) few BGLO members are using handsigns, and the signs that some of them do use bare only a fant resemblence to the ones in use today. What are some of today's BGLO traditions that would make BGLO members 20, 30 or more years your senior pause and say "what in the world is that?"

Here are a few my memories and my current realities...

1. My memory--We frequently sang in the quad. Few steps, just some good old fashioned singing. My current reality--Public singing doesn't seem to be as popular. It seems most reserve that for their private functions.

2. My memory--Stepping at OUR organizations functions. My current reality--watching folks stroll to every song and at every organizations functions. In fact, folks kind of forget that you can have a little fun with folks outside of the BGLO network. All that hopping and jumping and pushing going on kind of ruins the event. LOL

Okay Sorors, sisterfriends and GCers have fun with it. What are your observations.


[This message has been edited by GiggyZ (edited August 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by GiggyZ (edited August 09, 2001).]

[sistermoon]

Giggy Z

I'm feeling you ono the stroll thing ...

I was recently at a regional meeting where I witnessed strolling at a party ... mind you this was a fundraising dance and the guests who were non greek were subject to the various panhell strolls. I pointed out to our younger sorors hosting the dance that this was a dance not a stroll competition. I then politely asked some unknowing young man to dance and parked myself in the middle of someone's stroll and started to dance, other "seasoned" sorors followed suit ... after dancing seven records straight, the strolling did not appear again until after the dance ...

and yes, a good time was had by all ...

[celestial_blues]

i haven't been to that many greek parties...i've been to three to be exact in my life time...i did notice some "rude" strolling...i happen to like to watch strolling because i am a dancer so naturally it attracts me...but that was something that i think would make someone more seasoned do a double take...

also...gathering at plots on the campus yard...it is an interesting sight to see...but the manner in which some do so would probably make someone more seasoned do a double take...

also...all the paraphernalia mixing and matching from head to toe...as an sf i think its cool to be proud about the organization you are in...but making it a part of the daily wardrobe just seems a bit much to me...

public singing sounds cool though...

[This message has been edited by celestial_blues (edited August 08, 2001).]

[DivineZeta]

At my school we did all that. I pledged in 1993. I'm not sure if I'm old school or new-school (I guess it depends on who you ask). But everything new school isn't necessarily a bad thing.

We did strolls at every party, school and greek functions. It's expected nowadays. If you don't stroll, you look as if you aren't represented or supporting someone's party. And everyone doesn't have to do it. But it was a lot of fun to me so I did it a lot. The strolls get more creative and complicated as years go on. You don't do it the whole party. But on certain songs you all know or practice a stroll to, you may do it then.

On the yard we hung out. On my campus, Zetas and Sigmas were known for being the only organization to invite anyone to join us on the our plot. No matter if you were greek or not. We sung, the free styled (rap) or we danced, but we mostly stepped. We would meet other Sorors and Frats from other schools and exchange steps.

And when I was an undergrad, I did wear paraphenlia everyday. If it was just a pin or something I wore something with Z-Phi-B. And I did it for a reason.
I didn't know who the Zeta were because there were just a few and they rarely wore paraphenlia. They did a lot of stuff, but I had no idea who they were. And I didn't know who to talk to about my interest in Zeta.
So when me and my line sisters became Zetas, we made it a point to always wear something.
And I think it worked.

The Grand Baselius sent a memorandum recently, that was read in our Grad Chapter meeting, encouraging people to wear paraphenlia more for reaching our goal or 200,000 new members. So I think we had the right idea.

Divine

[GiggyZ]

Originally posted by DivineZeta:
At my school we did all that. I pledged in 1993. I'm not sure if I'm old school or new-school (I guess it depends on who you ask). But everything new school isn't necessarily a bad thing.

We did strolls at every party, school and greek functions. It's expected nowadays. If you don't stroll, you look as if you aren't represented or supporting someone's party. And everyone doesn't have to do it. But it was a lot of fun to me so I did it a lot. The strolls get more creative and complicated as years go on. You don't do it the whole party. But on certain songs you all know or practice a stroll to, you may do it then.

On the yard we hung out. On my campus, Zetas and Sigmas were known for being the only organization to invite anyone to join us on the our plot. No matter if you were greek or not. We sung, the free styled (rap) or we danced, but we mostly stepped. We would meet other Sorors and Frats from other schools and exchange steps.

And when I was an undergrad, I did wear paraphenlia everyday. If it was just a pin or something I wore something with Z-Phi-B. And I did it for a reason.
I didn't know who the Zeta were because there were just a few and they rarely wore paraphenlia. They did a lot of stuff, but I had no idea who they were. And I didn't know who to talk to about my interest in Zeta.
So when me and my line sisters became Zetas, we made it a point to always wear something.
And I think it worked.

The Grand Baselius sent a memorandum recently, that was read in our Grad Chapter meeting, encouraging people to wear paraphenlia more for reaching our goal or 200,000 new members. So I think we had the right idea.

Divine

I agree that everything new school is not bad. The things I referenced aren't bad just different. However, I have seen situations where folks stroll for song after song after song after song. Then when they finally decide to take a break, someone else on the opposite side of the room starts strolling and then the stroll war begins song after song after song after song.

As for wearing your colors, that is a good thing. The head to toe walking billboard thing may be a bit much but representing in Blue and White or with a pin daily is how a Finerwoman represents.


[This message has been edited by GiggyZ (edited August 09, 2001).]

[NubianBlue]

Sorors-
I haven't posted in awhile but I couldn't help myself on this one! As a neo, I loooove to stroll. And, although it can get out of hand and push people (GDI's) to the sidelines if done TOO much, it's fun being the center of attention. Strolls are really great when you love to dance, and I learned several new ones at Blue and White weekend.
I can't lie, I was kinda salty when ol' school started talking about Black Greeks taking EVERY picture with their sign. I need to watch my lil' blue self! (Shame...) LOL
Seriously, I like the idea of bringing some public singing back. It's ol' school, and most of us neos have never known about it..and it will seem original.
Lastly, some folk make two mistakes with 'nalia. The first is having TOO much on. If you have on a t-shirt, no tiki, no dog tags. You can wear a hat if the spirit hits you. But no hat, jacket, tags AND t-shirt. (I've seen it done!) Also, if you're in two organizations, like maybe a service org and NPHC org, PLEASE don't wear stuff from both orgs, especially if the colors clash! Okay, that's my $19.20.
NubianBlue