Coming out Greek

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by jessicaelaine

This makes me think of when I told my dad I was joining a sorority. The coversation went something like this:
"So, are you going to live there?"
"Where, Dad?"
"At the sorority."
"Dad, a sorority isn't a place!"

That is sooo cute!

[SxyLambdaLady6]

My mom wasn't too excited about it but she supports everything that I want to put my heart into..She supported and was there for me thru my process and when my parents came to my probate they realized how proud I was for making it thru so they were proud too. They know my sisters care a lot about me so they understand more.

[OneTimeSBX]

my parents are opposed to certain GLO's because they feel they are cookie cutter and "clique-ish". When i decided i wanted to pledge anyway, i looked for one that wasnt necessarily well-known, so the intentions on my end were 100% pure. im not passing judgement on anyone who does select a more well known organization, but now that i have crossed my parents know, and they were glad i chose the GLO that i did...

[Kevin]

What do you mean, "come out"? Is it important to you that everyone know you're in a GLO? I mean, it may be a big deal for you, but if they don't like those organizations, what's the big deal? Do what you do.. have your car decals, your letters, if someone asks you a question, you answer it.. but really.. are you wanting to sit on the phone all night going through your high school telephone directory letting everyone know that you pledged a sorority?

They should probably be able to figure it out by looking at your myspace page.

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do you mean, "come out"? Is it important to you that everyone know you're in a GLO? I mean, it may be a big deal for you, but if they don't like those organizations, what's the big deal? Do what you do.. have your car decals, your letters, if someone asks you a question, you answer it.. but really.. are you wanting to sit on the phone all night going through your high school telephone directory letting everyone know that you pledged a sorority?

They should probably be able to figure it out by looking at your myspace page.

I guess what the OP really meant is that sometimes you may want to share stories about what happen with your life (school, greek etc) with your other friends and family who are not greek, and to reference, you may need to tell them you are affiliated with a certain GLO. Not necessary in a oh-I-need-to-tell-everyone-I-am-Greek way. And most of the times, as the OP says, those non greek family and friends will give you a weird stare.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do you mean, "come out"?

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

I guess what the OP really meant is that sometimes you may want to share stories about what happen with your life (school, greek etc) with your other friends and family who are not greek, and to reference, you may need to tell them you are affiliated with a certain GLO. Not necessary in a oh-I-need-to-tell-everyone-I-am-Greek way. And most of the times, as the OP says, those non greek family and friends will give you a weird stare.

She said pretty clearly what she meant:

Originally Posted by LadyLight

Does anybody have stories about how they told parents or unsupportive friends they went Greek? What's the best way to do I do it?

As for parents and family -- just tell them, and be ready to tell them why and what it means to you. You might follow SAEalumnus's idea of having a new member handbook or something else for them to look at to get a better idea of what it's all about.

As for friends/everyone else -- don't worry about it. If it comes up, it comes up; if it doesn't, it doesn't.

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

My mom got a little jealous. I would come home every weekend and spend time with her, but after I was initiated I had to do some stuff on the weekends, so she missed my company. But I think she's getting better about it, because I've been able to show her that I can do all of my work and have a life with and without the sorority. It takes time though

[Goddess01]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do you mean, "come out"? Is it important to you that everyone know you're in a GLO? I mean, it may be a big deal for you, but if they don't like those organizations, what's the big deal? Do what you do.. have your car decals, your letters, if someone asks you a question, you answer it.. but really.. are you wanting to sit on the phone all night going through your high school telephone directory letting everyone know that you pledged a sorority?

They should probably be able to figure it out by looking at your myspace page.

So on point here!

[LadyLight]

These comments are a little rude guys, I was talking about my parents and my 2 best friends back home, not my whole high school. I just wanted to hear other ppl's experiences and maybe get a bit of an idea as to how some ppl have reacted. It's completly normal for me to want to share events in my life with the ppl closest to me and if you don't have a helpful comment, you don't need to respond

[ChildoftheHorn]

Its weird, my mom's side is all greek and only a few people are on my dad's side. My mom is greek and my dad hung out and did all the stuff with my mom's sorority (Sorority boy!) and there are definately somethings that are just funny. Mom gets everything and understands, my dad is clueless. His first comment was "Your grades better be good, that what I am sending you for!"

Actually, I think that it helps my grades since the sorority community at my school is very academic ( the lowest sorority has a 3.4/4 avg.!) which is higher than the school average by quite a bit. I think there is this little motivation to do a little better because you represent not just you and the org.s are full of many of the most prominant figures on campus at my school. There is really no such thing as a "stereotypical" sorority on my campus, but I have been to other schools that fit that bill. You may want to go into all the palpable benefits to your parents. Tell them about how it builds moral character, networking, leadership skills, social abilities, and lifelong friendships.

The whole drinking thing is a lil wierd, but you can paint that is a good light too. If you do that sort of thing, you are doing it with people you trust and trust in you. If they were your brothers/sisters, they would not let you go overboard and would always be looking out for your best interests. It is still better than drinking alone, right? There are a lot of benefits to being greek that you can find articles online, just look it up!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by LadyLight

These comments are a little rude guys

People have different interepretations of what it means to "come out" as a Greek and who you're "coming out" to. Simple as that.

Originally Posted by LadyLight

if you dont have a helpful comment, you don't need to respond

Or you don't need to read.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What do you mean, "come out"? Is it important to you that everyone know you're in a GLO? I mean, it may be a big deal for you, but if they don't like those organizations, what's the big deal? Do what you do.. have your car decals, your letters, if someone asks you a question, you answer it.. but really.. are you wanting to sit on the phone all night going through your high school telephone directory letting everyone know that you pledged a sorority?

They should probably be able to figure it out by looking at your myspace page.

To respond to my brother Kevin here....

It can be a challenge to those living in less traditional areas....like the San Francisco area for instance.

My parents were none too thrilled about the whole thing....to this day they're ambivelent but it's possible they aren't totally against it since they saw how much chapter supported me through some problems I had.

My old high school buddies, who are the real liberal types, told me I had "bought" friends blah blah blah...the usual nonsense true GDIs believe in.

So it can be a pain in the ass when you have people around you who either buy the stereotypes or are just outright hostile towards GLOs

[SnuKnight172]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

My old high school buddies, who are the real liberal types, told me I had "bought" friends blah blah blah...the usual nonsense true GDIs believe in.

I got this from some of my friends as well yet I meet most of them playing football or baseball. Weird last time I checked I paid to play football and baseball. I brought this to their attention and they haven't brought it up since.