What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

I'm not saying you're off base... I'm saying that if you knew what bows and toes or elephant walk (lol) meant than you would understand what hes saying indirectly.
Also, the fraternities here are only about 600-900 per semester, its the sororities that are expensive.

I do know what "bows and toes" and "elephant walk (lol)" are, thus my assurance to you that clever "bonding" experiences like those are not new and in fact my male family members pledged in the "good old days" when hazing was de rigeur and much more of it was even above ground (the underground stuff was what you really had to fear -- they'd think what you guys call "bonding" these days is a cake walk).

And I'm cross-quoting you two again, this time in reverse. The assurance that they have access to connections and wealth was in response to the standards laid out below. Their fraternities, chapters and the school they attended are also WAY steeped in tradition.

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I've already established they were different. By our standards, inferior.

Fraternity life is so much more than just brotherhood.

It's regional tradition, rites of passage, a status symbol, a method of gaining wealth through connections and so on.

So, looks like they check off all the boxes, would they be cool with you, then?

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I do know what "bows and toes" and "elephant walk (lol)" are, thus my assurance to you that clever "bonding" experiences like those are not new and in fact my male family members pledged in the "good old days" when hazing was de rigeur and much more of it was even above ground (the underground stuff was what you really had to fear -- they'd think what you guys call "bonding" these days is a cake walk).

And I'm cross-quoting you two again, this time in reverse. The assurance that they have access to connections and wealth was in response to the standards laid out below. Their fraternities, chapters and the school they attended are also WAY steeped in tradition.


So, looks like they check off all the boxes, would they be cool with you, then?

If they share similar interests, which any good ivy leaguer probably would, then absolutely.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

If they share similar interests, which any good ivy leaguer probably would, then absolutely.

Super! I will let them know.

[SWTXBelle]

Just to clarify - Elephant Walk, you are from which fraternity and school? I think I know the other players in this discussion.


eta -OH - now I get it. Thanks.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Just to clarify - Elephant Walk, you are from which fraternity and school? I think I know the other players in this discussion.

University of Arkansas.

The fraternity is of no importance.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

University of Arkansas.

Hold up.

You're from ARKANSAS?

And you're talking smack about northern brethren not being good enough.

To hang out with you in ARKANSAS?

Oh, the jokes, the jokes I'm holding back! But my northern etiquette won't allow me to take the cheap shots.

[oldu]

As the originator of this thread I had no idea it would create such a cat fight! I went to school in the midwest, have lived in the south and spend a lot of time in NYC and I see this from many perspectives. Many cannot imagine wearing a pig face and cheering "sooey"...find the attire and behavior of some southern men a bit sissy...or are offended by the brashness of a northeasterner. That's the way they all are. The ORIGINAL QUESTION is why do students in the southeast find Greek membership more valuable or attractive and join in much larger numbers? Please approach this more intellectually and give us your opinion.

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Hold up.

You're from ARKANSAS?

And you're talking smack about northern brethren not being good enough.

To hang out with you in ARKANSAS?

Oh, the jokes, the jokes I'm holding back! But my northern etiquette won't allow me to take the cheap shots.

THAT is what makes Greek life hot in the South: the fact that he is from Arkansas and your reaction to it. The average income per household may be lower in most (all?) Southern states compared to those in the North, but that's part of what makes Greek life so elite down here. You think he is some redneck wearing overalls, but it is probably quite the opposite, due to the fact that he is Greek. You don't see that in the North, where your average fraternity brother/sorority sister is more or less the mean as far as average income goes (from what I have seen). I'm having a hard time putting it into words, but hopefully that makes sense. Basically what it all boils down to is the fact that the lower the average income is, the larger the social class division gap is.