What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[LadyLonghorn]

It's all about southern culture and tradition. Growing up, I was always aware of the organizations my relatives and the people around me were members of. All of the adults I knew were Greek, and it was still important to them no matter what their age. It's ingrained as a part of who you are here. I think the thing that people who weren't raised in the south don't get is how deeply ingrained being Greek is in this society. Sure, lots of alumni/ae throughout the country remain very involved with their organization throughout their lifetime. But here it is part of what defines who you are. A good example I can give is if you are meeting someone new, no matter what age either of you are, part of that initial introduction will include something like "Mary's an XYZ" before you even find out where someone is from or what school they attended. Although I am sure this happens other places, particularly if someone knows you are both Greek and assumes you'll have that in common, here it's just a typical and immediate part of social networking.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

But here it is part of what defines who you are. A good example I can give is if you are meeting someone new, no matter what age either of you are, part of that initial introduction will include something like "Mary's an XYZ" before you even find out where someone is from or what school they attended.

I have lived in the South all of my life and I come from a family and background where Greek connections are common, and I don't think I have ever experienced what you describe.

Everyone around here knows that the first thing that gets mentioned when you're introduced are where you're from and who your people are.

[bejazd]

LadyLonghorn, how do you feel southern culture/tradition as it relates to the importance of greek afffiliation is being influenced today by the migration of people from other parts of the country to the southern states? will these traditions become more insular, separating people raised in the South from those who were not, or will Southerners become more open? btw, I've always thought of my Texas relatives as incredibly hospitible. They love their state and they are glad to share it!

About 10-12 years ago, young college grads who couldn't afford to live in Calif were moving off to Colorado, AZ and Oregon for cheaper housing and job opptys. Today I'm seeing tons of young people from here headed for TX, FL and Arkansas. Just wondering how you think they'll influence the greek social networking culture as they settle in and become part of the larger community.

[twhrider13]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

It's all about southern culture and tradition. Growing up, I was always aware of the organizations my relatives and the people around me were members of. All of the adults I knew were Greek, and it was still important to them no matter what their age. It's ingrained as a part of who you are here. I think the thing that people who weren't raised in the south don't get is how deeply ingrained being Greek is in this society. Sure, lots of alumni/ae throughout the country remain very involved with their organization throughout their lifetime. But here it is part of what defines who you are. A good example I can give is if you are meeting someone new, no matter what age either of you are, part of that initial introduction will include something like "Mary's an XYZ" before you even find out where someone is from or what school they attended. Although I am sure this happens other places, particularly if someone knows you are both Greek and assumes you'll have that in common, here it's just a typical and immediate part of social networking.

It's a part of southern culture and tradition in some, i.e., moneyed, circles. Everyone in the South is not raised this way.

I grew up as blue collar and country as you can imagine. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I went to a tiny high school and knew absolutely no one who was Greek during their college days. There may have been some, but it wasn't talked about. I attended a small state university and went Greek as a sophomore, not because I'd been "groomed" for it my whole life, but because student life as a whole sucked at my school, and I thought it'd be fun.

It's not just people from the North who can't imagine being Greek defining your whole life. We poor Southerners can't imagine it, either.