jlhughe190:

Cultural: of or pertaining to culture

Culture: (n) The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization

I chose the definition of culture as seen above after attending my first sorority rush at Clemson University.  I have always known that I am not cut out to be the “typical” sorority girl, always peppy and happy, always made-up, always in a dress and looking sweet, and most importantly, friends with all their “sisters”.  These people have a “predominating attitude or behaviour” that allows them to function within the group that is known as a sorority.

Gamma Sigma Sigma, a sorority about community service and serving the greater good of the community surrounding, seemed like a perfect avenue for me because of how passionate I am about community service and giving back.  However, I walked into a situation I was not ready or prepared for.  First of all, who knew that joining a sorority would cost upwards of $130 dollars a semester, not including all the dresses, events and lettered shirts that one must wear to be “accepted” in that community.  That was the first shock of the night, as I sat against the wall hoping that someone would come and talk to me.  The second shock came when I noticed that all the girls in the room were not dressed up, but in t-shirts and jeans and I was the odd ball.  I thought surely I would have to look nice to be accepted during a sorority function.  So, I took hours to dry my hair, to put on make-up and to pick out the perfectly coordinated outfit and shoes.  Complete with bright coloured accessories. Those bright coloured accessories made me stick out like a sore thumb, and I knew it.

Regardless of how I was feeling, the meeting and the night went on.  Everyone around me was mingling, giggling, talking, eating the food that was brought by the “sisters” and seemed relatively comfortable in the crowded and busy environment.  We were all sitting in the David Peebles Room at Hendrix, not a very big room, with no furniture, so naturally most girls lined up against the walls before their friends came to meet with them and then there were up and eating at the food tables.  In entered the sisters of Gamma Sig, eager to make friends with the new recruits. They were all so excited, but I was too tired and worn out from the seven hours of classes that day to really care. Before I knew it, I was part of a never-ending process of “ice breakers”.

The games included finding your pair (if I were Minnie, you were Mickey, if I were Jersey Shore, you were “The Situation”), talking points based on coloured Skittles and “speed dating” activities.  I met so many people and had to be so interested in all their babble, I could not tell you who I actually met or what they were actually saying to me.  Overall, the experience was overwhelming and it took me a whole five minutes to realize I was not cut out for anything “sorority”, even if it was a far cry from the social sororities found on campus.

Needless to say, I found out a lot about myself during that hour that seemed to last for days, and decided once and for all that I will stick to my Civics and Service House community and away from sororities in general.

I have to admit that I thought about the community service sorority, too, but you are definitely right about the money, dresses, etc.  It is a nice concept and I imagine that the bonds some of those girls make are life lasting, but the actual being a member part does not sit well with me either.