You are killing me Psychtau2. You are absolutely killing me.
Every meeting that an organization holds is alcohol free. Every initiation is alcohol free. Every school workshop is alcohol free. Every class the members share is alcohol free. Every time they sit to lunch in the school cafeteria its alcohol free. Every interaction in the halls . .. etc . .. you get the point.
Our members have no problems socializing with each other . . . sober. Most of their interactions are sober.
However, at social events that traditionally and culturally have alcohol . . people like to have alcohol present.
Alcohol reduces stress and increases social interaction. Alcohol reduces artificially imposed inhibitions. Alcohol is a hell of a social lubricant for many people.
Alcohol can help people dance that don't dance. Alcohol enables shy people to talk to members of the opposite sex.
We tend to want alcohol present at events that traditionally have alcohol involved and that encompasses people outside our specific organziation.
Psychtau2, you seem to take the viewpoint that alcohol is some evil . . maybe a necessary evil . . but an evil nontheless. Why do you view it so?
Alcohol is a value neutral component to a social event. As such . . why is it bad to have it present?
If you are uncomfortable with alcohol you don't have to drink. If you and your friends think that alcohol weakens your friendship . . you don't have to drink.
But why should the rest of us be denied access to alcohol if we want it?
And how does it weaken our bonds, our friendships, our quality of life?
Does it do that just because you believe it weakens your bonds, friendships, and life quality?
Sorry about the rambling, but its 5am . . sigh . .
PS: what happened to psychtau1?
Quote:
Originally posted by PsychTau2
[B]33girl....exactly my point. Not every single moment you have with your chapter (or with other chapters) has to include alcohol in order to bond and have a good time. I hear more and more students host dry events "because we HAVE to" or "because it looks good on our Standards/5 Star/Whatever Plan"...not "because it will be fun."
My point is that some students seem afraid to plan an event and show up sober because they fear that they won't have fun. Often they have a great time, but they can't see that they will have a great time beforehand. Apparently it's not cool to admit that you can have fun without alcohol anymore (whether you are greek or not)...and that's a shame.
I'm saying that if every single (and I mean every single) time you interact with your brothers/sisters (outside of chapter business meetings) involves alcohol consumption, then the bond isn't complete without alcohol present. Remove alcohol, and the relationship changes. I've seen alums come back to Homecoming events, make a 30 minute appearance, and then disappear to drink with their old drinking buddies. Very little interaction with anyone outside of their original partying group, and even then they are focused on how soon they can get to the bars. I'm sure you've seen 2 or 3 (or more) people who are best friends, but do nothing but drink together. And you've seen people who are best friends, but do all sorts of activities together. It's just a different relationship. I know...I've experienced it. I've had "drinking buddies" and I've had best friends...and they aren't the same relationship.
From my first post:
My point with the above paragraph (it sounds like it wasn't clear) is to use a little "reverse psychology" on these groups. If they keep saying "No one will come if they can't drink" "It won't be fun if we can't drink" "We'll just drink beforehand so we'll have a good time", then I'd turn the question around and ask them how they became so very close to their brothers/sisters. 99% of the time they will talk about situations or events they experienced with each other when alcohol wasn't present...which proves the point that they CAN socialize and have fun without alcohol. Sometimes you have to reframe the situation before they'll "get it" and make changes (or quit complaining about the rules!  )
Don't get me wrong...I had some great times with my fellow Greeks when alcohol was present. But we had some great times completely sober too. It seems like ALL college students these days can't see the great times they have when sober. THAT is what bothers me.
Overall I think it's a student developmental issue...but it's one that GLO's can address by giving members the opportunity to enjoy themselves without alcohol. We've just got to get them to see it first.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying that the above attitudes are GLOBAL...some individuals/groups/campsuses don't have the above issues. I'm not assuming that every single college student falls into the above categories. Take what works, leave the rest).
PsychTau
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