"You're always wearing your letters."

[dekeguy]

Why are we supposed to be so exceptionally sensitive to everyone's view of how Greeks are thought to be? Granted that there are generally accepted norms of gentlemanly and ladylike behaviour where rudeness and nastiness are unacceptable, but, I fail to see where anyone must, or even should, conform to a sickly sweet parody of Goody Two Shoes in order to avoid the possibility of giving offence to someone who has already done me the rudeness of prejudgment.
I think we should view our fraternities and sororities much like the Marines look upon their Corps. They have to want it badly enough to work hard enough to earn the right to be called United States Marine. When they have done so they stand tall and "proudly claim the title".
Well, we had to want it badly enough to work hard enough to earn our letters and I'll be damned if I'll apologize to anyone for having earned my status. If any GDI is offended by this it would seem to me to be his problem. I hold myself to a standard of conduct and do not try to force my views on anyone, but let no one force their views on me. I'll be glad to listen to reasoned arguments and try to answer with reasoned counter arguments or even agree wholeheartedly when appropriate. However, if one wants to engage me in a discussion on Greek life then be not surprised if I take the position that I am damned proud of my brotherhood and will not tiptoe around trying desperately not to give anyone any reason to think ... to think what exactly?
If we hold ourselves to good standards then no one can have a legitimate objection. If they do then they have totally missed the point and my time is too valuable for me to waste on such as they. One thing to consider is something that my Colonel told me when I was on active duty, "If you don't think you are absolutely the very best, then in all probability you are not much good at all"
You need to believe in yourself and then act accordingly.

[sairose]

Originally posted by sugar and spice


This does its part to eradicate one Greek stereotype -- that of the stuck-up Greek -- but only furthers another -- that of the fake Greek. People can tell when you're playing fake nicey-nice and they look down on that just as much as they look down on the bratty ones.

Well I didn't mean to be fake; I meant being GENUINELY nice.


Not to mention the fact that most anti-Greeks formed their opinion years ago, have spent years perpetuating that belief and it takes more than a chance encounter with a nice one to change their minds. I can't even count the number of times people have said this (or variations) to me: "Yeah, but you're not like the rest of them -- you're a NICE sorority girl!"

Yeah, I get that too. Well my whole sorority does. Oh well.



I'm definitely not saying don't bother being nice, because obviously every little bit helps. But as I said before, the only way you're really going to change an anti-Greek's mind is by becoming friends with them and showing them what Greeks are really like, and as superheroic as we Greeks sometimes are, we can't become friends with everybody. And honestly, I don't know if I would want to be friends with a lot of the anti-Greeks I meet, whose opinions seem to be based mostly on either arrogance or stupidity. I can deal with those whose opinions are based on naivete, but stupidity and especially arrogance are another story entirely.

I understand what you're saying. But I never said you had to be FRIENDS with everyone; just to be nice to everyone.

[justamom]

Originally posted by sairose
I understand what you're saying. But I never said you had to be FRIENDS with everyone; just to be nice to everyone.

This is almost funny. Shouldn't we be kind to everyone ANYWAY????

It's a sad commentary when we have to discuss a topic like this.

NOT putting down the thread or any posts...just a thought like
"Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

[Kevin]

Here are some problems with what I've seen in this thread:

It's great to think that you can be nice and "non-stereotypical" to everyone, always. Even if this was possible, the ONE time someone you don't know sees you in letters doing something stupid (or knows that you're a member of a GLO), often, they'll be quick to make a snap-judgement about all Greeks. Fair? Hardly.

Unfortunately, we are all judged by the actions of our worst behaved members.

Is it important to cultivate a good image on campus? Hell yes. Look at campuses where Greeks apparently did not place a value on their relations with the university administration, etc... Places like Alfred University where the entire system was shut down because of the stupidity of a local group.

On the other hand, there will always be those that see GLO's as organizations expressly for the elite. For those folks, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to change their perception They may befriend you in spite of your greekness but it will probably be an obstacle.

[justamom]

The honest truth of it is-there are "snots" in GLOs and there are "snots" that aren't in GLOs.

ALL of us will be dealing with "snots" the rest of our lives.

I don't think the stereotype belongs to individuals so much as preconceived ideas that PERHAPS have their origins in the media.
I also agree that it is irksome that we must honor a higher standard because of this image.

I would bet many of us have read articles about alcohol poisoning where the reporter ALWAYS finds it necessary to state if the victim WAS or WAS NOT in a fraternity/sorority.

Still.........if we all try to behave like decent people and PLEDGE decent people rather than numbers (yes, it's that old argument)
we may ALL be better served. I just think the selection process mystifies people and in many cases, as apparent on GC, can cause hurt and bitterness. Who the hell knows!