TrojanWoman's Retro Recruitment

[UGAalum94]

Yeah, sentimental intensity and physical touch have the potential to make people uncomfortable if they don't share your feelings. It's pretty much true at prefs just like it's true in every occasion.

Some people seem to expect preps to be emotionally intense and tearjerking, but if your only connection to the group is through rush (as opposed to a life long friend) it might seem false to many PNMs.

[AnatraAmore]

Wow Trojanwoman! I love this thread! Please don't make us wait too long to find out how bid matching went!!!

[OldAOPi]

I think I would have freaked out if someone would have started rubbing my leg. I remember when I went through...RUSH....I came from a family that didn't feel real comfortable hugging, etc. Getting hugged by a bunch of GIRLS was a new experience for me and took some getting used to.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I was always so uncomfortable sometimes during pref when girls would start to cry. I didn't cry at either of the pref ceremonies I attended as a rushee, but if I had, I think I would've felt embarrassed. Sometimes sorority women need to remember that the women attending the parties as guests do not yet have the strong connection you may have with the sisterhood, so it may come off as an "insiders only" experience. Pref shouldn't be all about telling stories that make everyone cry, in my opinion...especially sad stories. Just being honest.

My senior year when I was on Panhellenic exec I was a Rho Chi, and it was a bummer to not be at preference as a senior. But then I got really upset when I found out that one of my pledge sisters had used the second pref party of the night to announce her engagement! I was actually outside the room at the time and could hear all the screams of joy. Apparently she just couldn't hold it in any longer after the chapter sang our candle pass song (it works well for preference, and it has a moving story, so we always sang it then, too). At least no one could say that pref party was too fake!

[PKTKKG]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I was always so uncomfortable sometimes during pref when girls would start to cry. I didn't cry at either of the pref ceremonies I attended as a rushee, but if I had, I think I would've felt embarrassed. Sometimes sorority women need to remember that the women attending the parties as guests do not yet have the strong connection you may have with the sisterhood, so it may come off as an "insiders only" experience. Pref shouldn't be all about telling stories that make everyone cry, in my opinion...especially sad stories. Just being honest.

My senior year when I was on Panhellenic exec I was a Rho Chi, and it was a bummer to not be at preference as a senior. But then I got really upset when I found out that one of my pledge sisters had used the second pref party of the night to announce her engagement! I was actually outside the room at the time and could hear all the screams of joy. Apparently she just couldn't hold it in any longer after the chapter sang our candle pass song (it works well for preference, and it has a moving story, so we always sang it then, too). At least no one could say that pref party was too fake!

So true. Pref is for the PNMs - not the sisters. The goal is to make the PNMs tear up/cry and feel the sisterhood. It should not be a bawl fest for the members. Some tears and sentiment is fine, but bottom line the recruitment party and especially pref is for the PNMs and anything not about them is better saved for another event.

[SWTXBelle]

I've heard alumnae say, "Oh, you've got to get the PNM to cry. If they cry, you know they want us!" Uh, no - I cry at Hallmark commercials. I guarantee if you start singing a ballad and tearing up, I will soon be bawling too - but it doesn't mean I'm gonna die if I don't pledge your house! I cried at both my prefs!

[CZAXOTerp]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've heard alumnae say, "Oh, you've got to get the PNM to cry. If they cry, you know they want us!" Uh, no - I cry at Hallmark commercials. I guarantee if you start singing a ballad and tearing up, I will soon be bawling too - but it doesn't mean I'm gonna die if I don't pledge your house! I cried at both my prefs!

I admit it I cried when I preff'd AXO- but not during the ceremony- I burst into tears when I went upstairs w/ the girl who was preffing me because I was so relieved to finally be there and it was the only house I preff'd that I actually wanted to go to.

We of course laughed about this years later, that I was such a basketcase at preference.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've heard alumnae say, "Oh, you've got to get the PNM to cry. If they cry, you know they want us!" Uh, no - I cry at Hallmark commercials. I guarantee if you start singing a ballad and tearing up, I will soon be bawling too - but it doesn't mean I'm gonna die if I don't pledge your house! I cried at both my prefs!

I know a girl who rushed a UGA last year who cried at two of her prefs but ended up suiciding one of those two houses! She was really touched by one of the ceremonies but that didn't mean she could see herself being a sister in that chapter.

TrojanWoman, I demand an update.

[MaggieXi]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've heard alumnae say, "Oh, you've got to get the PNM to cry. If they cry, you know they want us!" Uh, no - I cry at Hallmark commercials. I guarantee if you start singing a ballad and tearing up, I will soon be bawling too - but it doesn't mean I'm gonna die if I don't pledge your house! I cried at both my prefs!

I am exactly the same way!!! Although I didn't all out cry during my prefs, I cry at commercials and love songs all the time.

[amycat412]

good God fellow Trojan Woman, tell us how it ends! hee hee

[bluefish81]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've heard alumnae say, "Oh, you've got to get the PNM to cry. If they cry, you know they want us!" Uh, no - I cry at Hallmark commercials. I guarantee if you start singing a ballad and tearing up, I will soon be bawling too - but it doesn't mean I'm gonna die if I don't pledge your house!

I hear ya. I'm not much of a public crier, and I didn't cry at either pref ceremony that I attended. I always thought that a roomful of too many sobbing actives could be a bit overwhelming to a PNM when I was active too.