What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by bowsandtoes

When we think sorority, we think tri-delt, chi-o, zeta, pi phi, kappa, theta, the ones that have national name recognition.

Originally Posted by bowsandtoes

As for the issue of chapter size and national recognition, I referenced a few sororities that I thought had greater name recognition in any region. Chi-o for instance, has about 175 chapters according to wikipedia. The site I looked at for the other sorority showed about 40-50 chapters, mostly in the Midwest. I'm not saying that makes it 'bad' by midwest standards, just that it wouldn't be viewed the same way in the South.

Though I agree with you that most of the sororities you named are known well nationwide, it's probably news to you that many greeks in the West have never met a member of, or heard of, Zeta. ZTA is a huge sorority, but it has relatively few chapters in the west whereas this territory is the bread & butter of other organizations. The only reason I even knew of ZTA when I was in college was because my aunt was a Zeta. And Phi Mu and AOII? I had only heard of them from looking at the NPC badge photos that were in our new member ed binders. I just met members of those organizations for the first time a month or so ago at an alumnae panhellenic meeting!

So, I believe you unintentionally made the point that others were trying to make - the world is much bigger than your own back yard, and if you haven't strayed far from home, it's best if you don't try to speak with much authority as to places/things you've never experienced.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

So, I believe you unintentionally made the point that others were trying to make - the world is much bigger than your own back yard, and if you haven't strayed far from home, it's best if you don't try to speak with much authority as to places/things you've never experienced.

Amen, Triad Sister!

I have to laugh whenever someone uses Wikipedia to make a statement.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Yes, there's a big difference but I would take being Greek at my own college over being Greek in the South any day.

And, us Southerners are thanking God right now for that!

[KenUDiggit]

As long as we're all happy right? I'm a pledge at a southern fraternity and I don't think I would love the northern fraternities as much.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by KenUDiggit

As long as we're all happy right? I'm a pledge at a southern fraternity and I don't think I would love the northern fraternities as much.

You don't know what you don't know

Originally Posted by KenUDiggit

As long as we're all happy right? I'm a pledge at a southern fraternity and I don't think I would love the northern fraternities as much.

Now, do you mean northern chapters of your fraternity? Or fraternities more widely known in the north?

[KenUDiggit]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

You don't know what you don't know

Can't argue with that.

Originally Posted by OTW

Now, do you mean northern chapters of your fraternity? Or fraternities more widely known in the north?

Northern chapters , there seems to be more emphasis on greek life down here. Here it seems people care more about the fraternity than boozing every weekend.

Originally Posted by KenUDiggit

Northern chapters , there seems to be more emphasis on greek life down here. Here it seems people care more about the fraternity than boozing every weekend.

And what leads you to assume that northern chapters don't care about the fraternity just as much as the southern chapters?

Going on what my sister said, you can't really compare what you don't know.

[KenUDiggit]

When I was up visiting my dad's fraternity, the brothers I met didn't show much enthusiasm about the chapter or the alums that showed up and just kept talking about going out that night. Its just one chapter so take it with a grain of salt.

[FAMUDva]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

It definitely depends on the part of Florida --- it's a patchy state, lol

I totally agree! I'm originally from Ft. Myers, Florida (south of Tampa); and except for the snow birds and immigrants, the born & bred FLORIDIANS are VERY southern! lol

Same thing in some areas of Broward and Dade county...

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Yes, there's a big difference but I would take being Greek at my own college over being Greek in the South any day.

Well, that was a stupid thing for me to say. I must have been in a really pissy mood. My apologies to the Southerners. I do have to agree with Benzgirl that you only know what you know. Since I only know being Greek in the North, I should have kept my mouth shut.

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Well, that was a stupid thing for me to say. I must have been in a really pissy mood. My apologies to the Southerners. I do have to agree with Benzgirl that you only know what you know. Since I only know being Greek in the North, I should have kept my mouth shut.

If I had gone to school with a competitive rush like those at many southern campuses, I probably wouldn't even consider wanting to be Greek.

There's a lot of stuff about southern recruitment and "traditions" that I'll never understand (see my posts in kitemom's Texas Recruitment thread) because I never went through one and what I know about how it's like is from GC and my southern sisters I've met over the years.

To those who are slowly turning this into a pissing contest: our experiences are different, and I really don't think it's fair to believe that certain chapters are better than others based on geographics.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by OTW

To those who are slowly turning this into a pissing contest: our experiences are different, and I really don't think it's fair to believe that certain chapters are better than others based on geographics.

Especially when people get their heads out of their asses and meet members from across the country (and from other countries) who don't care about these exaggerated geographic/school size/school type/whatever else differences.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by OTW

If I had gone to school with a competitive rush like those at many southern campuses, I probably wouldn't even consider wanting to be Greek.

^^^^ Ditto.

KenUDiggit should consider that one fraternity on one northern campus is not the "be all end all". My alma mater has over 60 fraternities and I can't say all of them get drunk on every weekend. He is using one experience to generalize Greek life the north to be somewhat Animal House.

We could start a new thread on "What is the dumbest thing you have ever heard a non-GDI say"

[KenUDiggit]

I can see what you mean by generalizations, but I didn't mean to(take it with a grain of salt). I'm sure there are fraternities in the south that have no care whatsoever other than drinking, but thankfully I am not in one of them! I'll talk to you later!