Conduct Becoming of A Sorority Girl

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

"Gosh Darned"? Are you serious? Who these days uses the term "gosh darned"? Do you go to school in Mayberry?



Well, since you can only bet and I could only bet, it's a moot point.

I just think it's hypocritical. I see all the moaning about bad images of Greeks on this message board, yet people don't even think about their own behavior. (I'm not directing that at you, Drolefille. It's just in general.)

Um, the phrase I've heard most often is "Gosh Darned Independant" mostly because people choose to say that over saying "God Damned."

I can only bet because I'm not familiar with the entire history of the phrase, and neither are you.

I fail to see how saying GDI or even "God Damned Independant" equates bad behavior. Again, you keep ignoring that it is campus culture. I'm sure the guys who gave my mom paddles with GDI on them feel really oppressed right now.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Um, the phrase I've heard most often is "Gosh Darned Independant" mostly because people choose to say that over saying "God Damned."

But that's exactly my point. You know what it really means and it's not a very nice thing to say. You're admitting it's negative by sugar-coating it.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I can only bet because I'm not familiar with the entire history of the phrase, and neither are you.

Didn't I say the same thing? I admitted that I could only bet too. I'm not arguing with you here.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I fail to see how saying GDI or even "God Damned Independant" equates bad behavior. Again, you keep ignoring that it is campus culture. I'm sure the guys who gave my mom paddles with GDI on them feel really oppressed right now.

I'm not ignoring that it's campus culture. What I'm doing is not buying it as an excuse.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

But that's exactly my point. You know what it really means and it's not a very nice thing to say. You're admitting it's negative by sugar-coating it.
Didn't I say the same thing? I admitted that I could only bet too. I'm not arguing with you here.


I'm not ignoring that it's campus culture. What I'm doing is not buying it as an excuse.

I don't sugarcoat it, that's just the phrase I've heard used most often


It's only an excuse if you think it's something that's wrong.
I don't acknowledge that the phrase is wrong, so I'm not excusing anything.
It's a colloquialism, not a literal damning of independants (like anyone here has the power to damn someone). And getting huffy when people use it, often because it was used on their campus in a completely positive way, is little more than elitism. Fine, don't use it, but don't look down at people who do. Stop getting offended on other people's behalf.

Stupid GDGs

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I don't sugarcoat it, that's just the phrase I've heard used most often

Yes, you are sugar-coating it. You admit that you know exactly what it really means right here:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Um, the phrase I've heard most often is "Gosh Darned Independant" mostly because people choose to say that over saying "God Damned."

People (and you as well apparently) choose to say "Gosh Darned" instead. In other words, they sugar-coat it.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I fail to see how saying GDI or even "God Damned Independant" equates bad behavior.
It's only an excuse if you think it's something that's wrong.
I don't acknowledge that the phrase is wrong, so I'm not excusing anything.

This just completely defies logic. So you wouldn't be offended if I called you just one of those God Damned Sigma Kappas? That's nuts! That would be a horrible thing to say.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

It's a colloquialism, not a literal damning of independants (like anyone here has the power to damn someone).

Please don't even start defending colloquialisms. That's one seriously slippery slope.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

And getting huffy when people use it, often because it was used on their campus in a completely positive way, is little more than elitism.

I'm not buying this for one second. If you're really saying that GDI is a positive thing to say about someone on your campus, then I guess I have to believe you but it was very negative on my campus and on every other campus I've been on.

Oh, and fine, so I'm an elitist. So be it.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Fine, don't use it, but don't look down at people who do.

Yes, I will look down on people who use it. Just as I look down on people who use other terms like "JAPS", "n*****s", or any other rude, offensive, condescending words.

[susan314]

I was trying to avoid commenting on the GDI fray, but since its not dying...

Non-Greeks on my campus used the term GDI with pride. Greeks didn't generally use the saying much - it was the non-greeks who perpetuated its usage.

I'm fairly active in an alumni group from my university, and I still hear people - some of whom graduated 10, even 20 years ago - refer to themselves as GDI when the subject of Greek life comes up.

(And I've heard a roughly even split used between gosh darned and the other gd'ed.)

Maybe its a regional thing - are you from the South or some other area where Greek life is big? GDI might be taken offensively there, but at my large Midwestern university being "GDI" was like a badge of honor for those who chose not to be Greek. (On my campus, it would have been extremely rare for a person to not be able to get into a Greek organization. Yes, they may not have been able to get into one of their "top" organizations. But if a person had an open mind and wanted to be Greek, they would have had to have some sort of bizarre, serious complication not to be able to get into any house.)

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Yes, you are sugar-coating it. You admit that you know exactly what it really means right here:



People (and you as well apparently) choose to say "Gosh Darned" instead. In other words, they sugar-coat it.



This just completely defies logic. So you wouldn't be offended if I called you just one of those God Damned Sigma Kappas? That's nuts! That would be a horrible thing to say.



Please don't even start defending colloquialisms. That's one seriously slippery slope.


I'm not buying this for one second. If you're really saying that GDI is a positive thing to say about someone on your campus, then I guess I have to believe you but it was very negative on my campus and on every other campus I've been on.

Oh, and fine, so I'm an elitist. So be it.



Yes, I will look down on people who use it. Just as I look down on people who use other terms like "JAPS", "n*****s", or any other rude, offensive, condescending words.

I knew you were going to go there and I still can't believe you did.

In what way is "GDI" like the word "nigger" or "Jap" or any other sort of racial slur. Don't sugar coat it by putting asterixs you know what word you meant. That is ridiculous and unbelievably offensive.

You've failed to understand a singled thing I've said. No shit sherlock, I know what GDI stands for, I also know that I've seen more people say "Gosh Darned" than God Damned and that is the firt phrase that pops into my head. But apparently I'm either intellectually dishonest or living in Mayberry. Right.

I am a God Damned Sigma Kappa. Proud of it. Will be for life. You don't seem to grasp the use of "God Damned" as a pride thing. Never seen someone call themselves a God Damned American? Please look up idiom in the dictionary.

Again, I'm sure the paddles on my mom's wall were made by oppressed independants who were held down by the evil Greeks.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

In what way is "GDI" like the word "nigger" or "Jap" or any other sort of racial slur.

Just what I already said. It's derogatory, condescending and rude. However, I never said it was equal to using those words. I said I would look down on someone who used those words.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Don't sugar coat it by putting asterixs you know what word you meant. That is ridiculous and unbelievably offensive.

Of course I knew what word I meant! I'm not "sugar coating" it. It's a word that I simply will NEVER say, write, type or think. Simple as that. Apparently you have lower standards.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

You don't seem to grasp the use of "God Damned" as a pride thing.

Yes, I do understand it but it's one thing to use it to define yourself and an entirely different thing for someone to use it against you.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

You've failed to understand a singled thing I've said.

Same here. We'll never come close to agreeing on this so why not just let it go.

[cuteASAbug]

I somehow doubt that calling someone a GDI would the elicit the same reaction as calling a black person the n word.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Just what I already said. It's derogatory, condescending and rude. However, I never said it was equal to using those words. I said I would look down on someone who used those words.



Of course I knew what word I meant! I'm not "sugar coating" it. It's a word that I simply will NEVER say, write, or type. Simple as that. Apparently you have lower standards.

Same here. We'll never come close to agreeing on this so why not just let it go.

Actually here it would be said with pride. On my campus it would be FAR from an insult. Usually it's ex-Greeks that use it as Greek life is so peripheral that the rest of the campus wouldn't even bother to use it.

And it is NEVER in the same category as "nigger". And I do think it helps to write it out...when you read that you remember why you would NEVER call someone that...it's sick. GDI is NOT in the same category and I think everyone who has been called by the aforementioned slur would be offended at putting GDI in that category.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Just what I already said. It's derogatory, condescending and rude. However, I never said it was equal to using those words. I said I would look down on someone who used those words.



Of course I knew what word I meant! I'm not "sugar coating" it. It's a word that I simply will NEVER say, write, type or think. Simple as that. Apparently you have lower standards.
Yes, I do understand it but it's one thing to use it to define yourself and an entirely different thing for someone to use it against you.

Same here. We'll never come close to agreeing on this so why not just let it go.

You manage to type "n****r" without thinking of the word that you mean? Bullshit.

My standards don't include comparing racial slurs to slang terms. I'm quite happy with them.

You don't seem to get that when independants call themselves GDIs, Greeks around them are likely to call them that and not mean anything derogatory by it. Because that's low class. To you. Bless your heart.

I understand what you've said, I just think you're an elitest who "knows best" for everyone else and thinks she has more class then everyone else. I disagree with what you've said, but I still understood it. You react with disbelief, attempted insults to me and my standards, and implications about my sorority, and gross exaggerations.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Yes, I will look down on people who use it. Just as I look down on people who use other terms like "JAPS", "n*****s", or any other rude, offensive, condescending words.

Sweet Holy God.....


Did you seriously just place the term "GDI" in the same category as "Nigger"? This is easily one of the most idiotic things I have ever read on this board.


I hope you step in mud........soon.

[AOII Angel]

I'm sorry if I've offended you 33girl. You may not find smoking a problem, but many find it to be a dirty habit which is often inflicted on those who do not smoke. I have no problem with smokers who are considerate of others. Pick up you cigarette butts and don't pollute an enclosed room. The culture of the campus dictates many of these rules. Sigma Kappa who is no longer on our campus actually required members to be sitting to smoke. Girls would go sit on the toilet in bars in order to smoke. Pretty funny if you ask me, but it's their rule. The drinking while dancing issue may seem silly to you, but it is very unladylike to slosh your drink around while dancing...possibly soiling someone else's clothes or shoes. Don't tell me that you have infinite control of the path of spilled alcohol from you glass as you swing around in a tipsy haze after one too many. The average college student would not. Lastly, if your sorority's creed or ritual has not changed you or made you more aware of you actions, then what is the point? Sororities are for a lifetime not because they give you a steady stream of drinking and smoking buddies but because they teach you to live by a standard. These standards may not specifically address drinking and smoking, but I'm quite sure most address presenting a good example to others, being considerate of your fellow man and not reflecting poorly on yourself or your organization. My sorority taught me that your actions reflect your character. You never have a second chance to make that first impression. Just like actives are always watching rushees to catch them slip...rushees and the rest of the world are watching you.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The culture of the campus dictates many of these rules.

Yes. Thank you. That's what I'm saying. Don't confuse campus culture or etiquette with the values and aims written in your sorority's NATIONAL bylaws, or even your chapter bylaws for that matter. So many people come on here and say "we're not allowed to drink or smoke in letters" and then when they actually look in their chapter or national bylaws, voila, this "ironclad rule" is nowhere to be found. It's something more ambiguous like "present a good image." That varies WIDELY from place to place.

Do whatever you do on your campus, that's cool, but I think to be so severe as to call someone a "bad sister" if she doesn't follow these rules is a bit silly.