I guess I just need to vent

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by stunnedgirl

I've switched my screen name because I'm pissed.

And I guess I just need to vent.

I am so beyond sick of reading these retro rush stories and these narcissistic posters on purpose leave us hanging. I know it's really a ridiculous thing I'm saying but it makes this board suck if you ask me. I know the moderators have no control over the posters, can't force them to continue their precious story as us losers wait with anticipation to finish their story. But it really makes me mad.

It's one thing for the story to be in real time and if god forbid the outcome isn't favorable for them to fall off the face of the earth. But it's an entirely different thing for the poster to know how their story ends and to fool us with, "and the bid card said..." and then keep us waiting for 10 days.

And us readers who post and post and post some more with things like, "you can't keep us hanging!!" "I'm hooked on this story" simply feeds their narcissisism. As I know this post does as well.

And don't even get me started with how stupid these posters are during their rush experience. Do you think that telling another house that you like/don't like another house is smart? I don't care how young, immature you are. Would you go to a job interview with Apple and tell them you own a PC? I was clueless during rush but not stupid.

And to show them how uninterested you are? Are you effing kidding me? The arrogance is quite staggering if you ask me.

Clearly I'm worked up and I know how ridiculous I sound but I think we need to stop feeding the flame of these insecure posters who are clearly looking for attention from complete strangers.

Now wonder generation Z or whatever they are called have reputations of being spoiled, etc.

Sorry for the rant.

AMEN!!!! Finally a post worth reading here!!!

[jonnydrillbit]

I really really dont like the recruitment story threads. I always hope they end up getting cut from all the houses (or cars or flowers or football teams or desserts or watever they want to call them)

[TPARose]

It has always been my impression that the reason why writers of the retro recruitment threads leave cliffhangers is to mimic the true reality and excitement that is derived from reading real time recruitment threads. For me, there is a palitable excitment everytime that you open the browser as you wonder "what happened next?!".. I agree with AphiAnna's assessment that these threads are akin to reality shows like "the Hills" which find success in perfectly timed drama.

That being said, there might indeed be something narrcasstic about posting these threads. There might, may I even say, a bit of envy felt by retro posters towards their real time rushing counterparts, which spurs them to pen their own stories.

Personally, I actually like retro threads, and if someone gets their kicks off of being an internet celebrity, I could care less. Certainly not something to get your panties in a bunch about.

[Blue Skies]

To the OP, no, the cliffhangers on the recruitment threads don't bother me in the slightest. Since a typical workday for me runs 10-11 hours, I figure that other people have demands on their time as well, and it may be a week or four before they can post. Or as TPARose said, maybe the posters just want to drum up a little excitement.

My only problem is that if they take their time posting the result, being of a certain age, I tend to forget the beginning of the story. So I have to go back and reread it, in order to recollect that a certain girl just *loved* "Rum Raisin," but couldn't stand "Cherry Garcia".

Yes, a few of the posters strike me as being somewhat needy of attention. But I work with at-risk children, and for some of them, when they need attention, they throw furniture, or hit you.

So as far as I'm concerned, these posters are just *fine*.

I also think that no matter how many neatly-set up threads a board may have, there will also be lots of excited newbies with the same old questions. Let whichever experienced boardmember who happens to be feeling fresh that day answer the question politely and direct the poster to appropriate thread(s). If it's not your day/week/month/year/decade to be feeling fresh, take a pass. IMO.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

My only problem is that if they take their time posting the result, being of a certain age, I tend to forget the beginning of the story. So I have to go back and reread it, in order to recollect that a certain girl just *loved* "Rum Raisin," but couldn't stand "Cherry Garcia".


I also think that no matter how many neatly-set up threads a board may have, there will also be lots of excited newbies with the same old questions. Let whichever experienced boardmember who happens to be feeling fresh that day answer the question politely and direct the poster to appropriate thread(s). If it's not your day/week/month/year/decade to be feeling fresh, take a pass. IMO.

I agree on both points! I love it when the OP prefaces her comments with, "I wanted to give Cherry Garcia another chance since last round I was so distracted by the chanting." or some other comment that reminds me of her previous opinion of that group. This saves me from going back - which I rarely do unless I am really really curious.

Also, I appreciate the "elder statesmen" on here (not by age, but by GC experience and Greeklife experience!) who tirelessly and patiently repeat information and point newbies in the right direction with links to helpful stickies and threads. It seems the best display of panhellenic spirit, IMO.

[WCsweet<3]

I agree with violetpretty and many others who have posted above. I think I posted on a few stories saying I wanted more, but there are many others who are over zealous with constant posting. On the other hand, people who post stating they have interest might help the retro stories post more frequently or give the original poster more confidence that people are actually interested and that there is a reason for them to be posting.
I am not plugging for any story including my own. I am only trying to say there is a fine line between stating interest for the poster and feeding narcissism.

[Fawn Liebowitz]

In case you were wondering, WCsweet<3, I am enjoying your story.

[Fawn Liebowitz]

Apparently I'm the only one sitting around wondering who "stunnedgirl" is.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by Fawn Liebowitz

Apparently I'm the only one sitting around wondering who "stunnedgirl" is.

Now it's my time to vent...

I can think of several posters, actually. They are the ones that if you review all of their posts, they have nothing to say on this board other than to comment on the Recruitment Stories. What do they say?

"More, more"
"I'm hooked"
"Where are you, we want more"
"Are you coming back"
"I'm dyyyyyyyyyyyyying"
"Thanks"
"Congratulations to you and XYZ"

That is the extent of how they post. Nothing is more annoying than having to weed through uninsightful comments.

I read recruitment stories, but not every day. It's not because of the OPs; it's for the stupid-ass comments that don't add to the story.

Off
My
Soap
Box

[violetpretty]

The only one of those that is not bad is the congratulatory posts, IMO. Once those pop up, the thread is basically over, so you don't have to sift through anything. Plus, congrats are due.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by stunnedgirl

I've switched my screen name because I'm pissed.

And I guess I just need to vent.

I am so beyond sick of reading these retro rush stories and these narcissistic posters on purpose leave us hanging. I know it's really a ridiculous thing I'm saying but it makes this board suck if you ask me. I know the moderators have no control over the posters, can't force them to continue their precious story as us losers wait with anticipation to finish their story. But it really makes me mad.

It's one thing for the story to be in real time and if god forbid the outcome isn't favorable for them to fall off the face of the earth. But it's an entirely different thing for the poster to know how their story ends and to fool us with, "and the bid card said..." and then keep us waiting for 10 days.

And us readers who post and post and post some more with things like, "you can't keep us hanging!!" "I'm hooked on this story" simply feeds their narcissisism. As I know this post does as well.

And don't even get me started with how stupid these posters are during their rush experience. Do you think that telling another house that you like/don't like another house is smart? I don't care how young, immature you are. Would you go to a job interview with Apple and tell them you own a PC? I was clueless during rush but not stupid.

And to show them how uninterested you are? Are you effing kidding me? The arrogance is quite staggering if you ask me.

Clearly I'm worked up and I know how ridiculous I sound but I think we need to stop feeding the flame of these insecure posters who are clearly looking for attention from complete strangers.

Now wonder generation Z or whatever they are called have reputations of being spoiled, etc.

Sorry for the rant.

Too bad you don't have the nuts to say it under your real screen name.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Too bad you don't have the nuts to say it under your real screen name.

I was thinking the same thing.

[ellebud]

First of all, if I was the one who started the Totally honest type thread (I wrote my retro story about a year ago that featured a rush that took place in the 1970s) that seems to have taken a turn: I apologize. In my case (the story was told fairly quickly) I had messages to today's pnm that included: don't be put off by a sorority's reputation, religious tolerance/diversity, and that things work out. The narcissitic turn...is unbearable. I view these threads (the honest, real time or soon thereafter) not as a "brag book" but as an educational chance to give girls some information on rush, how to rush, and how to get started in college life. But, I will say that I have seen the trend that if a pnm says something "wrong" or lacks discretions...some of the ladies really jump all over them. Silence is sometimes a preferable thing. If a girl says that...ABC has ugly girls, an ugly house and/or just plain lame....let the child be. She's got more issues than can be addressed in any forum.

My daughter, who will rush next fall, read a few threads. (Since she is 18 she doesn't feel the need to discuss everything with me...and that is fine.) Daughter did say that she knows she needs recs, knows a bit about the school that she is rushing in, and that she thinks that she'll do fine whatever happens).

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by ellebud

But, I will say that I have seen the trend that if a pnm says something "wrong" or lacks discretions...some of the ladies really jump all over them. Silence is sometimes a preferable thing. If a girl says that...ABC has ugly girls, an ugly house and/or just plain lame....let the child be. She's got more issues than can be addressed in any forum.

Ditto!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ellebud

But, I will say that I have seen the trend that if a pnm says something "wrong" or lacks discretions...some of the ladies really jump all over them. Silence is sometimes a preferable thing. If a girl says that...ABC has ugly girls, an ugly house and/or just plain lame....let the child be. She's got more issues than can be addressed in any forum.

I tend to somewhat agree with this. I think that there are enough advice threads warning PNMs to use discretion, and telling them that the things they say in their threads can have a negative affect on their recruitment.

If they ignore that advice and choose to insult chapters in their threads (yes, there's a line between honest feedback and insults), put out all sorts of identifying information and just be totally indiscrete, we should just let them, and see what happens.

Sometimes I think we're being a little too nice by jumping in and telling PNMs their mistakes.