Drinking in Letters

[KKGCaroline]

It was a massive no-no back in my active days, but i think that was more of a chapter rule rather anything from national. I personally just find it a little tacky and disrespectful.

[amanda6035]

We have a rule against it. So much in fact, when I went on a cruise one SB, I left all my letters at home so I wouldnt "accidentally" be wearing letters and having a drink.

There were a TON of fraternity and sorority members from other schools there, busting out in letters and drinking at the pool on the ship.

[ASTalumna06]

Another thread ... http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...2C+ASTalumna06

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KKGCaroline

It was a massive no-no back in my active days, but i think that was more of a chapter rule rather anything from national. I personally just find it a little tacky and disrespectful.

Serious, not-trying-to-pick-a-fight question: Why do you find it tacky and disrespectful?

I can see having a problem with people getting trashed in letters. But, assuming there's no other issue at play (like underage drinking), why would it be tacky and disrespectful to have a glass of wine with dinner while simultaneously wearing your letters?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Serious, not-trying-to-pick-a-fight question: Why do you find it tacky and disrespectful?

I can see having a problem with people getting trashed in letters. But, assuming there's no other issue at play (like underage drinking), why would it be tacky and disrespectful to have a glass of wine with dinner while simultaneously wearing your letters?

I'm with you. Solo cups and being trashed is not the same as being of age and drinking responsibly.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm with you. Solo cups and being trashed is not the same as being of age and drinking responsibly.

.. which I can agree with, as well. The problem is always that gray area in between. Let's face it... a night out for one or two drinks can easily turn into a night you don’t remember, especially when you’re young.

Or.. let’s say your organization decides that alumnae can drink in their letters, but collegiate members can’t, and a girl transfers to another campus but doesn’t affiliate with the chapter there… now she’s still in college, around her sisters, and she can drink but they can’t? Or does it depend on whether or not you're taking classes?

Or maybe some alumni are out at the bar wearing their letters, and they're pretty drunk (not all alumni drink responsibly ALL the time), and the active brothers don't see why they can't wear their letters while drinking. Either that, or they become upset because their alumni members are making them look bad in front of other fraternities on campus.

I think that for these national organizations, it has to be all or nothing. To say you can do it sometimes but not others would probably cause more trouble than it's worth.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

.. which I can agree with, as well. The problem is always that gray area in between. Let's face it... a night out for one or two drinks can easily turn into a night you don’t remember, especially when you’re young.

Or.. let’s say your organization decides that alumnae can drink in their letters, but collegiate members can’t, and a girl transfers to another campus but doesn’t affiliate with the chapter there… now she’s still in college, around her sisters, and she can drink but they can’t? Or does it depend on whether or not you're taking classes?

Or maybe some alumni are out at the bar wearing their letters, and they're pretty drunk (not all alumni drink responsibly ALL the time), and the active brothers don't see why they can't wear their letters while drinking. Either that, or they become upset because their alumni members are making them look bad in front of other fraternities on campus.

I think that for these national organizations, it has to be all or nothing. To say you can do it sometimes but not others would probably cause more trouble than it's worth.

Thing is we've shown that this ban on alcohol in letters is, for most if not all NPC orgs, done on a campus by campus basis and not a national thing at all. And it seems to work out just fine.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Serious, not-trying-to-pick-a-fight question: Why do you find it tacky and disrespectful?

I can see having a problem with people getting trashed in letters. But, assuming there's no other issue at play (like underage drinking), why would it be tacky and disrespectful to have a glass of wine with dinner while simultaneously wearing your letters?

Not quite the same, but still relevant...we don't do it because we don't want alcohol/cigarettes/sex/what-have-you associated with the Sorority. All of our events are dry, although there are certain limited exceptions that require contracts, insurance polices and the like.

I know I don't want anyone to associate alcohol with us in any way shape or form.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

.. which I can agree with, as well. The problem is always that gray area in between. Let's face it... a night out for one or two drinks can easily turn into a night you don’t remember, especially when you’re young.

Or.. let’s say your organization decides that alumnae can drink in their letters, but collegiate members can’t, and a girl transfers to another campus but doesn’t affiliate with the chapter there… now she’s still in college, around her sisters, and she can drink but they can’t? Or does it depend on whether or not you're taking classes?

Or maybe some alumni are out at the bar wearing their letters, and they're pretty drunk (not all alumni drink responsibly ALL the time), and the active brothers don't see why they can't wear their letters while drinking. Either that, or they become upset because their alumni members are making them look bad in front of other fraternities on campus.

I think that for these national organizations, it has to be all or nothing. To say you can do it sometimes but not others would probably cause more trouble than it's worth.

Yes, ma'am.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I think that for these national organizations, it has to be all or nothing. To say you can do it sometimes but not others would probably cause more trouble than its worth.

I think you may be right. (I personally also think that's a shame.)

But if that's the case, then drinking in letters is prohibited as a risk management issue, not because it's inherently disrespectful, right? It's the feeling that drinking in letters is disrespectful that I'm trying to get a handle on.

[KKGCaroline]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Serious, not-trying-to-pick-a-fight question: Why do you find it tacky and disrespectful?

I can see having a problem with people getting trashed in letters. But, assuming there's no other issue at play (like underage drinking), why would it be tacky and disrespectful to have a glass of wine with dinner while simultaneously wearing your letters?

I just reread my post and I didn't make myself clear at all. Sorry

When the OP mentioned that she had seen girls in letters smashed out of their faces, this is what I thought was tacky and disrespectful.

I totally agree that a wine with dinner (as long as its in moderation) is perfectly acceptable, its something that we were allowed to partake in for things like formal dinners/special occasions.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KKGCaroline

When the OP mentioned that she had seen girls in letters smashed out of their faces, this is what I thought was tacky and disrespectful.

Gotcha. Thanks.