'No Frumpy': Cornell Sorority Forbids American Apparel Leggings, etc.

[DrPhil]

I guess these rules, partially written in jest or not, serve a purpose.

I was more perplexed by the notion of PNMs figuratively having to "flirt" with sorority members in terms of dress and demeanor.

Originally Posted by BigGreen11

um, wow. i can't tell if you're kidding, but i hope you are!

unless i am specifically writing to a professor, boss or other authority figure, i almost never capitalize in emails or other informal means of communication. as part of a generation that has grown up communicating via AIM, texting, facebook, etc., i find it a normal practice to get to the point and be less than concerned about what is properly capitzalized. at least i use punctuation and proper spelling, which is more than i can say for many people my age!

Very true and it makes me weep for the future.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I guess these rules, partially written in jest or not, serve a purpose.

I was more perplexed by the notion of PNMs figuratively having to "flirt" with sorority members in terms of dress and demeanor.

The flirting didn't refer to dress when I mentioned it at all, and it wasn't even about anything sexual or romantic, just to be clear. I think that other people using the term right here mean it like I do.

It referred to the ways that conversationally a rusher will pay complete attention to her PNM and make her feel as if the PNM is the most interesting person going through recruitment and that she belongs at that particular sorority.

Similarly, a PNM would be wise to reciprocate giving the sorority member her undivided attention and pretend to be interested in the group.

Like actual flirting, there may be or may not be any real interest, but both parties want to be regarded as charming and desirable, albeit not sexually.

ETA: I certainly don't mean to assume that all NPC recruitments are identical, but I think that this dynamic is in play a lot of places when there are multiple groups doing formal on campuses where the groups are primarily social in nature. This model probably seems absurd to people from open bidding campuses or members of other more service-minded councils.

[DrPhil]

I knew it wasn't sexual.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I knew it wasn't sexual.

Cool. I thought someone (not you) might take it in a pre-hazing direction, like they test the PNMS to see how they'll act around frat boys.

There are some belles, southern or otherwise, who could pull off actually rushing someone like sororities do in a sustained real life situation, but for the rest of us, it's pretty event specific.

It's a nice skill to have to turn on for interviews, meeting new people, etc. But it doesn't translate completely to most real life situations.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

It's a nice skill to have to turn on for interviews, meeting new people, etc. But it doesn't translate completely to most real life situations.

Yeah, except I would call it networking rather than flirting. Flirting's definitely a gendered (and "cutesy") depiction of the interactions among adults.

But, I don't doubt that you all definitely know what you're talking about. I'm just an NPHCer who is trying to vision it in relation to my experiences.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yeah, except I would call it networking rather than flirting. Flirting's definitely a gendered (and "cutesy") depiction of the interactions among adults.

But, I don't doubt that you all definitely know what you're talking about. I'm just an NPHCer who is trying to vision it in relation to my experiences.

Oh course, I don't know about the NPHCs, but I think that you all are more professional in your approach to things. My impression is that intake is a lot more like a job interview, selective service club (or honorary society) interview.

Recruitment is one area where, depending on the kind of NPC recruitment, the actual face to face contact is likely to copy a purely social event rather than a job or a service interview. (Certain NPCs recruitment maybe even odder than that because there are skits and songs.) It IS cutesy in a lot of ways.

The tone of the whole deal is just different.

[AOIIalum]

As far as I'm concerned, the more detailed the recruitment clothing lists and dress checks are, the better. I've seen things that would make you cry. Loved the bit about remembering that 'you're trying to impress girls, not guys!' So perfect!

Heading back to my rocking chair now.