If you are thinking about going Greek or would just like to know more about fraternities and sororities, you should know that Greek culture needs to be experienced firsthand to be fully understood. You’ll never get the entire inside scoop unless you’re really on the inside.  This means that a lot of the gaps in understanding get filled in by the media.  Like many things, they get it wrong, or embellish it to make a statement.  This leads to stereotypes.

Here are 15 Greek Life stereotypes that most people think are true.

1. All Greek rituals are weird and gross

Pledge brothers don’t have to run backwards through corn fields naked. You don’t have to do a slip and slide across a tarp covered in vomit. Greek rituals exist but they aren’t as vile as those that are highly publicized in the media.

2. Bids are all about social status

If you perform at pledge term, you can earn a bid without brown nosing your way in. It’s about your personality, skills, knowledge and sociability more than it is about knowing the right people.

3. We are just here for a party

Our relationships don’t end upon graduation.  Greeks stay in touch with one another and many still socialize together as working adults and retirees.

4. All we do is drink

This can’t be further from the truth.  We perform community service and we really value it.  It’s not just a handful of Greeks who volunteer in the community. Entire fraternities and sororities perform community service together as a group on a consistent basis.

5. Greek life is ALL about socioeconomic status.

Again not true.  Living in a frat house can actually cheaper than living in a dorm or off campus apartment. Everyone is eligible to pledge and earn a bid, regardless of their financial background.  You don’t have to part of the elite to pledge.

6. You have to pretend to be someone else to get in

There’s a lot of positivity happening at fraternities and sororities. While the competition for bids is strong, you don’t have to humiliate yourself to be Greek. You also don’t have to be a drop dead drunk to fit in.

7. Don’t believe the hazing hype.

The brutal hazing that is sometimes reported in the media isn’t an accurate portrayal of Greek life. What happened at UVA and other campuses across America is despicable and those involved should be punished for their actions but that doesn’t mean that all hazing is illegal and extreme.  While hazing does exist at some Greek chapters, it usually isn’t as harsh as outsiders expect.

8. Greeks have a huge sense of entitlement.

Just because we’re Greek doesn’t mean that we expect more women (or men), better grades or job offers at graduation.  Like any network, there are benefits of being on inside, but there are lots of unemployed and unccessful frat boys and sororiety girls.  You still need to work hard and earn it.

9. Greeks culture is insular

We have relationships with non-Greek friends that we value just as much as the bonds that we’ve established with our Greek brothers and sisters. We understand the value of building an expansive and diverse social circle.

10. Going Greek is all about yourself

While many think that joining a fraternity or a sorority is a decision that people make to set up future career opportunities, it’s more about building a new family while away from one’s primary family. Any employment opportunities that result from Greek ties are merely an added bonus.

11. Greeks are all about assimilation.

Outsiders usually think of Greek members as participants in a pseudo cult where everyone has to look and think the same. This isn’t true at all. We’re all individuals that enjoy hanging out with each other. You won’t lose your sense of identity when you go Greek.

12. We binge drink most nights

Everyone is free to consume alcohol at their own discretion. Greeks enjoy beer pong and other drinking games but no one is forced to imbibe copious amounts of alcohol.

13. Greek Life is just the popular kids from high school

The common misconception about Greek life is that it’s just a continuation of alpha males and “queen bee” girls from high school. This isn’t true. Every college student can rush or pledge and earn a bid, regardless of their social stature.

14. Frat brothers are predators

Frat boys might be aggressive, but they are not all bad or predatory.  Greek members predominantly fall into the “alpha” categorization. They want to be winners at life and they are going to do everything in their power to be successful. This doesn’t mean taking advantage of others for self gain.  Some guys are just assholes, being a frat boy or not won’t change that.

15. All we eat is pizza and beer

Many Greek houses provide communal dining that is typically prepared by the housemother or by the group themselves. Not only is the food good, hearty and healthy but eating together creates a fun social atmosphere and stronger bonds.

Are you living the Greek Life?  Anything I missed?  Let me know in the comments.

You Stay Tilted World

– Sir Tilts A Lot

7. Don’t believe the hazing hype. The brutal hazing that is sometimes reported in the media isn’t an accurate portrayal of Greek life. What happened at UVA and other campuses across America is despicable and those involved should be punished for their actions but that doesn’t mean that all hazing is illegal and extreme. While hazing does exist at some Greek chapters, it usually isn’t as harsh as outsiders expect.