Plegdes wearing letters???

[guardedbystars]

I always thought that it was customary to NOT let pledges wear stitched letters, but apparently it's the other way around. How interesting.

No one in my chapter wore letters until we were initiated... In my personal opinion, I think that it means more (to yourself) after you're initiated.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by guardedbystars

I always thought that it was customary to NOT let pledges wear stitched letters, but apparently it's the other way around. How interesting.

No one in my chapter wore letters until we were initiated... In my personal opinion, I think that it means more (to yourself) after you're initiated.

It's more meaningful to you because that's the way you were taught. To me (who wore AOII letters proudly on bid day) I couldn't care less about not waiting. I loved my letters before I knew the meaning almost as much as I did after I learned their meaning. I didn't get to have anything with red roses until after initiation (a local tradition), and I thought that was cheesy!

[guardedbystars]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

It's more meaningful to you because that's the way you were taught. To me (who wore AOII letters proudly on bid day) I couldn't care less about not waiting. I loved my letters before I knew the meaning almost as much as I did after I learned their meaning. I didn't get to have anything with red roses until after initiation (a local tradition), and I thought that was cheesy!

I think it's more meaningful because after you (general you) initiated, you know everything about the traditions, secrets, rituals, etc etc. I feel like I wouldn't have loved my letters to the extent that I do now, knowing what they mean, if I got to wear them on Bid Day.

Are the red roses just a local tradition (i.e. do you know any other chapters that do it) or is it like the crest where you can't wear it until after initiation (where it's a national thing)? I don't think I have anything with the crest on it.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by guardedbystars

I think it's more meaningful because after you (general you) initiated, you know everything about the traditions, secrets, rituals, etc etc. I feel like I wouldn't have loved my letters to the extent that I do now, knowing what they mean, if I got to wear them on Bid Day.

Are the red roses just a local tradition (i.e. do you know any other chapters that do it) or is it like the crest where you can't wear it until after initiation (where it's a national thing)? I don't think I have anything with the crest on it.

There are no restrictions against new members wearing any item of AOII including letters or roses. Our ban on roses for new members was completely intra-chapter...basically since we didn't have a crest that new members couldn't wear we acted like the rose was our crest. Also...I understand where you are coming from about letters, but knowing the meaning is important in and of itself that getting to wear the letters for the first time shouldn't over shadow it in my opinion!