Wearing letters

[The_Grip]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've heard of making a point of NOT wearing letters, it's a sort of reverse snobbism. IMO it's just as bad as wearing your letters every single day just to shove "I am Greek" in everyone's face.

LOL "one ball system."

I can't say why that is the tradition, but I don't think it is 'reverse snobbism'. I suspect that it is a fairly old and relatively small school that predated most fraternities. Many of the houses that are strong there are very small nationally and many were local societies before affiliating nationally. There are also many other social organizations that have members from many houses (and independents). I can't really say (and that isn't the only unique tradition), but I do not think it is anything other than local tradition.

In any case, I am not trying to justify it--just pointed out something a little different. It is interesting that I was attacked for it and accused of being an elitist snob just because it doesn't fit into what everyone's idea of what a fraternity should do.

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by The_Grip

In any case, I am not trying to justify it--just pointed out something a little different. It is interesting that I was attacked for it and accused of being an elitist snob just because it doesn't fit into what everyone's idea of what a fraternity should do.

People were not attacking you because you don't wear letters....they were questioning your commentary about "third world" groups wearing them, and calling that elitist.

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by The_Grip

It is interesting that I was attacked for it and accused of being an elitist snob just because it doesn't fit into what everyone's idea of what a fraternity should do.

I didn't accuse you of being anything, much less an "elitist snob". I was simply referring to your "third world" comment which, in the way you used it, has a negative connotation and, as a result, does sound elitist.

It is interesting, however (given your above statement) that the practice of wearing Greek letters after graduation (in your opinion, of course) is wrong because "it doesn't fit into what" your "idea of what a fraternity should do."

Your words.

[LexiKD]

I wear my badge all the time. It's set on a white gold necklace and is beautiful so why not?
I also have a few shirts from Alum events and recent homecomings. I think it's kinda nice to run into another alum that would not have said anything had she not seen the shirt!
Also, my college shirts have been made into a blanket so I couldn't wear them even if I wanted to.

[The_Grip]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

It is interesting, however (given your above statement) that the practice of wearing Greek letters after graduation (in your opinion, of course) is wrong because "it doesn't fit into what" your "idea of what a fraternity should do."

Your words.

No, those are not my words. Never did I say that wearing letters after graduation is wrong, in my opinion. Nor did I even imply that. I simply stated that I do not wear them and that I did not even while in undergrad. You should lighten up or at least read the posts before you moralize.

[RhoPsiDST]

the was i see it, as long as I am a member, 21 or 61, I am going to wear my letters!

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by The_Grip

No, those are not my words. Never did I say that wearing letters after graduation is wrong, in my opinion. Nor did I even imply that. I simply stated that I do not wear them and that I did not even while in undergrad. You should lighten up or at least read the posts before you moralize.

Lighten up? Moralize? Are you kidding? I wasn't personally attacking you; All I did was make an observation in terms of words which you've been quoted as using by several GCers here, including myself:

Originally Posted by The_Grip

It is interesting that I was attacked for it and accused of being an elitist snob just because it doesn't fit into what everyone's idea of what a fraternity should do.

I will concede that you didn't actually say that "wearing letters after graduation is wrong" (my apologies for the inexact paraphrase of that post). However, you did imply that the practice of wearing letters (in any circumstance) was, for lack of a better phrase, "not normal" ("We didn't do it that way at my school", the "Nationals=franchise" comment, etc., etc.), and the "third world" comment sealed it for me.

However, your response was a bit salty. Maybe my comment hit a little close to home (however unintentionally). If so, that's a personal issue.

Given your last few posts, you would do well to follow your own advice. Remember that this all started with the "third world" comment.

[The_Grip]

Originally Posted by blkwebman1919

However, you did imply that the practice of wearing letters (in any circumstance) was, for lack of a better phrase, "not normal" ("We didn't do it that way at my school", the "Nationals=franchise" comment, etc., etc.), and the "third world" comment sealed it for me.

I did not mean to imply that wearing letters was not normal. In fact, in my experience, it is the rule rather than the exception while in school--at least to some degree. At my university, that was not the case and I was just pointing out a difference. I stand by the Nationals=franchise comment. I think that is the case. They want every chapter to be exactly the same and as large as possible to maximize their revenues, in my opinion and have little tolerance for different local traditions.

The "third world" comment was unfortunate, since you seem to reacted more strongly than you really should have had you known the real connotation. At my university 'third world' does not describe less competitive/popular/desirable houses. It describes a group of houses that are far away from the university and most of the other houses and have been called that since they moved there. They are at a big disadvantage during rush (for example they have to provide shuttle buses) and wear letters more to let folks know who they are. I will admit that I was sloppy in the 30 seconds I thought about that post in using a term that someone who did not attend my university would not understand.

Regarding your accusations of being elitist, I think you are going a little bit too far. Every university that I know has houses that are considered better than others and some that are considered not particularly good or at least not at all selective. I suspect you know that as well, if you were honest with yourself. Similarly, many universities are considered better than others. That's life. It may be inaccurate, but you should get used to it. Doesn't mean there are not fine folks in the less well regarded houses or that one can't get a fine education at a second tier school. I never said nor implied that. In fact, I never said that I considered my house to be one of the better ones. All I ever said was that it was uncommon for any chapter at my university to wear letters.

[Tom Earp]

Remember, one persons thinking is that only, one person.

With regard to ethnaticity or region actually does not apply here at all.

This has to do with and only with Alums wearing letters.

I have been wearing letters for 41 years.

Am I proud of what I did and how hard it was to attain them, you bet!

If you are not proud enough to wear them, don't!

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by The_Grip

I did not mean to imply that wearing letters was not normal. In fact, in my experience, it is the rule rather than the exception while in school--at least to some degree. At my university, that was not the case and I was just pointing out a difference. I stand by the Nationals=franchise comment. I think that is the case. They want every chapter to be exactly the same and as large as possible to maximize their revenues, in my opinion and have little tolerance for different local traditions.

The "third world" comment was unfortunate, since you seem to reacted more strongly than you really should have had you known the real connotation. At my university 'third world' does not describe less competitive/popular/desirable houses. It describes a group of houses that are far away from the university and most of the other houses and have been called that since they moved there. They are at a big disadvantage during rush (for example they have to provide shuttle buses) and wear letters more to let folks know who they are. I will admit that I was sloppy in the 30 seconds I thought about that post in using a term that someone who did not attend my university would not understand.

Regarding your accusations of being elitist, I think you are going a little bit too far. Every university that I know has houses that are considered better than others and some that are considered not particularly good or at least not at all selective. I suspect you know that as well, if you were honest with yourself. Similarly, many universities are considered better than others. That's life. It may be inaccurate, but you should get used to it. Doesn't mean there are not fine folks in the less well regarded houses or that one can't get a fine education at a second tier school. I never said nor implied that. In fact, I never said that I considered my house to be one of the better ones. All I ever said was that it was uncommon for any chapter at my university to wear letters.

I acknowledge the point you are trying to get across.

However, I must (again) reiterate a point of clarification: I never "accused" you of being elitist. Rather, I mentioned that your "third world" comment (in and of itself) sounded elitist. An intelligent person can make a "stupid" comment, but that doesn't mean they themselves are stupid. Incidentally, I am not in any way referring to you (just so you know; one misunderstanding at a time is enough).

Given the "world view" connotation of the phrase "third world" (the concept of being "backward", "primitive", "less advanced"), which is much more widely known than the local connotation it has apparently taken on your campus, you can't honestly be surprised at my reaction, or that of any of the other GCers who called you on your use of it.

In short, however, the notion of whether or not fraternal societies are selective is irrelevant in this context; by definition alone, their selectivity is a given.

BTW --- With all due respect, I do recognize and understand that universities are not considered equal by many. I've been around a while and attended institutions of higher learning on both the undergraduate and graduate level, so I know from experience that some schools are considered better than others, and sometimes for very valid reasons. There is nothing earth-shattering about that relevation.

That being said, I think things probably got blown up a little more here than they needed to be, therefore...

...My apologies for any role I may have played in bringing that about.

[GtownGirl98]

What about wearing your letters to work or church (like 608 for the people from Lexington, not like Sunday morning services)... I'm not meaning event tshirts but block letter shirts... does anyone else (who is an alumni) feel odd wearing block letter shirts/sweatshirts to work?

I wear event shirts all the time... in fact I'm wearing one now that I "stole" last week from an event I wasn't even in school for. I love wearing those to work (Monday and Fridays... no court!!!), the gym, shopping, and around the house. I wear my badge, letters on necklaces and bracelets. I also have a checkbook cover and keychain... but for some reason, I feel really odd when I wear any block letter shirts/sweatshirts. I guess I think of those as reserved for students only... though I know that isn't true.


As to the lifelong membership dues... AGD has both. We have LMD's that we pay after initiation but we also have optional "alumnae dues" that we can pay if we want to but don't have to stay in good standing. But to be on IHQ-EC you have to pay then. Then each alumnae chapter/club can charge support fees to help with newsletter costs and such. In comparasion with college, these are nothing... maybe they both total $60/year. I feel this is just a small thing that I can do. But as a recent college grad... I understand that money isn't easy to come by but I think that one can make the choice to save $60.00 during the year ($5.00 a month).

[firecracker08]

Originally Posted by The_Grip

In any case, I am not trying to justify it--just pointed out something a little different. It is interesting that I was attacked for it and accused of being an elitist snob just because it doesn't fit into what everyone's idea of what a fraternity should do.

I'm curious about what fraternity you are in.