How do people react when you mention you are involved as an alum

honeychile · #1 11-15-2006, 01:40 PM

I get more "aggravation" when I use the word Greek, as opposed to my sorority alumnae association. Most non-greeks don't seem to understand that terminology around here.

Tom Earp · #2 11-15-2006, 05:37 PM

Maybe it is not what WE have missed but what THEY have missed!

They do not understand because they were never envolved in anything bigger than themselves.

There really is a lot bigger world out there or I would not have had the opportunity to meet so many neat people from all over and so many different walks of life!

DSTCHAOS · #3 11-15-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

They do not understand because they were never envolved in anything bigger than themselves.

Terrible assumption. You know that GLOs aren't the only organizations to belong to.

SoCalGirl · #4 11-15-2006, 07:05 PM

If it's a guy he usually asks me to hook him up with some hot sorority girls!

blackngoldengrl · #5 11-15-2006, 10:24 PM

My boyfriend is aggravated by it, and when I mention doing things with my alumnae group, he's like "oh jeez" or "give it a rest, college is over." Funny thing is, he was (and I do mean, was) in a fraternity!

I haven't been out of college for very long, but this is my first year joining the alumnae group and I like it a lot so far. My family doesn't think it is odd, but I'm sure some of my sisters would think it is, while others would say, "oh good for you." There are a handful that are really involved with advising other chapters nearby, so we can relate.

AGDee · #6 11-15-2006, 11:16 PM

I generally get "You do that as a volunteer? For free???" I guess "I oversee 24 of our chapters in the Northeast" sounds like a full time job.. and some weeks, it feels like one!

Generally, the people that I call "joiners" think it's neat, as do some moms of daughters who have gone Greek and have seen the benefits first hand. The people who are not "joiners" and just aren't into belonging to organizations at all think it's weird. Most do ask me if I get paid though.

REE1993 · #7 11-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Wow, thanks so much for these replies!

I should add that my (non-greek) husband thinks it's great. He loves it when I wear my letters and tells me he is proud of my commitment. And this is 10 years post-graduation.

As an aside, I was reading through some of my "old" new member material and some of what I read just really hit me. I am very proud to be part of GSS.

You all made me smile, and today I really needed it. I am glad I joined GC.

PrettyBoy · #8 11-17-2006, 05:42 AM

People are usually shocked because they think I'm a lot younger than I actually am. That works for me

.

Tom Earp · #9 12-26-2006, 03:19 PM

I always find it is fun when people come into my shop and I see a College tag on their car and ask oh, I see you went to ABC school.

Were you in a Fraternity/Sorority? They will say yes I was a so and so at ABC. How about you and I always say I am a LXA from ABC and am still active. I always found it amazing how much warmer people were after we talked a while about the Greek Days back when!

Just to name a few:

BTP
DDD
STG
KS
OSPhi
AKA
AKL
XO

While from different Organizations, there is still a common bond.

kdxut · #10 10-31-2007, 04:50 PM

It's funny because it depends on who is racting, if it's other greeks they understand, but people who have never been involved with a Greek organization think it's a terrible group to be a part of because of what they've heard on television or the like. I try to explain, but some people are going to block you out no matter what terrific things you try to explain.

On the other hand, my family, friends and folks think it's terrific and my dad will recognize another Kappa Delta Chi sister's bumper sticker or letter on the back of a vehicle driving in TX and it's the funniest thing. He'll tell me all about his experience seeing another "penguin".

Benzgirl · #11 10-31-2007, 05:39 PM

I agree. It depends on who you are talking to.
One friend thought it was great (she is a GLO alum),
Another said all of the girls in her sorority are sluts so she wants nothing more to do with it any more,
my one cousin (same GLO) was very excited
another cousin (different GLO) couldn't understand it -- she was done with it when she graduated
aunt said, "whatever"
mother was ok with it
some friends laugh, but no one has ever critcized it (at least not to my face)