In American universities, many students identify themselves by the organizations they’re involved in. For some, it’s fraternities and sororities. Those involved in Greek life and those not associated with it have become sort of separate subcultures, and there has been a long history of tension between the two groups. Even if you don’t fall into the category that loves Greeks and loathes those GDIs (God Damn Independents) or the one that’s unaffiliated with a strong opposition to those cults, it’s undeniable that animosity sometimes exists between them. This is apparent on both sides through several stereotypes.
Her Campus UFL did some investigating to find out exactly what those stereotypes are and if they’re true or false. We’ve asked both groups what stereotypes they’ve heard about the other and compiled a list 10 for each. Then we asked people from the group in question for their opinion. The results may surprise you.
Disclaimer: In this research, some participants declined to comment on behalf of their sorority, and others had a mouthful of hostile words. The list of stereotypes and heated discussion could go on for either side, but there was one evident theme everyone seemed to agree on: Stereotypes can have a little bit of truth to them in specific cases, but are usually misleading when viewed as fact. HC UFL attempted to define these stereotypes and, in doing so, found they do not define an individual.
Disclaimer: This article does not represent the opinion of Her Campus UFL or Her Campus National. All of the information in this article was collected by female college students, including the determination of stereotypes by the opposite group and verdict by the group in question. For protection and confidentiality of sources, no names or sorority affiliations have been included. For this reason, quotes are direct but unattributed.
What Greeks Think of Non-Greeks (and what Non-Greeks have to say about it)
1. Stereotype: Non-Greeks don’t have a social life or as many friends. Verdict: not true.Non-Greeks said they still have fun but perhaps don’t spend as much money on their activities. Some also thought it could be the same stereotype in a different way, in that Greeks don’t have social lives outside of their fraternity and sorority affairs. Most agreed, however, that Greeks do go out more than non-Greeks.
2. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are weird and play games like Humans vs. Zombies. Verdict: it’s too broad of a statement.Non-Greeks said everyone shows their weird side at some point in a friendship. In the generally negative connotation of “weird,” they said it was a claim that doesn’t apply to enough people. In reference to Humans vs. Zombies, one non-Greek said, “We think they’re (the players) weird too.” One accused, “You don’t have to be drunk to have fun.” Another said, “I bet one of them secretly wants to try it.”
3. Stereotype: Non-Greeks think they’re special because they’re not in a sorority or fraternity. Verdict: mostly true.Non-Greeks agreed with this statement for the most part but couldn’t give a concrete reason why. Some felt strongly, and one went as far to say, “That is the most twisted way of saying things. They all dress the same, think the same; they are the same. We are actually real people. So yes, we are (special).”
4. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are looked down upon and “inferior.” Verdict: true perception; not true in reality.Non-Greeks did not respond well to being called “inferior,” but it did not come as a surprise that Greeks viewed them that way. Although some agreed they have more power in certain areas, such as Student Government and fundraising competitions, most non-Greeks thought the statement was ridiculous when applied to individuals.
5. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are “ugly, fat, or just not pretty.” Verdict: true perception; not true in reality.Non-Greeks were more offended by the use of hurtful, judgmental words than the stereotype itself. Although many thought there are equally “attractive” people who aren’t in sororities, for example, some admitted that Greek girls are generally “pretty” because sororities are more “pretentious and wouldn’t select anyone less than perfect” because they “don’t accept all races and body types.”
6. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are not involved. Verdict: depends on context.Non-Greeks agreed Greeks are very involved but that their involvement is limited outside of Greek life, philanthropies, and exclusive clubs. Non-Greeks said they are just as involved but in different ways, including other student organizations, sports, and research.
7. Stereotype: Non-Greeks wear shorts with a lot of pockets — cargo shorts, specifically. Verdict: true.This stereotype was unanimously agreed upon as a stereotype, even though everyone interviewed thought it applied more to guys than girls. However, no one denied this to be a trend.
8. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are “ghetto.” Verdict: not enough information to fully determine.Most non-Greeks responded to this stereotype by first asking for a definition of the word “ghetto.” In the sense of urban/inner-city students, non-Greeks felt the statement was too generalized for a group of people out of a whole population. There are not enough non-Greeks categorized in a lower socioeconomic class for it to be a stereotype. One person interviewed said he or she believes sororities have more white Christian blonde girls, but in terms of defining “ghetto” by dancing, he or she has “seen some sloppy-a** sorority girls twerking all over the place.”
9. Stereotype: Non-Greeks are jealous of Greek involvement and join academic fraternities. Verdict: true-ish but not for the same reason.Some non-Greeks pledge allegiance to co-ed and academic-related fraternities but for networking and resume-boosting purposes or personal interest. No one expressed feelings of jealousy as a reason for joining.
10. Stereotype: Non-Greeks use student newspapers to bash Greeks at any chance they get. Verdict: somewhat true.Non-Greeks agreed there is a definite feud between the Greek community and student newspapers. Although newspapers are supposed to be unbiased in print, it is known that some opinions outside of student newspapers are strongly present.
What Non-Greeks think of Greeks (and what Greeks have to say about it)
1. Stereotype: Greeks are always drunk and go out all the time. Verdict: true for some but not for all.Several Greeks said they used to go out at least four times per week or that they still have friends who do. One said he or she has friends who go out so often that the day they don’t is almost like a “day off.” Most agreed Greeks as a whole go out more than non-Greeks, but there are plenty who will stay in and study all the time. They also noted that they go out and drink frequently, but they go to their usual hotspots and don’t visit bars or clubs popular with non-Greeks as much, if at all.
2. Stereotype: Greeks don’t have serious majors. Verdict: mixed.Some Greeks said this can be true based on lifestyle for the majority, but there are exceptions. A couple of people interviewed said people with more demanding majors don’t join as often because they can’t commit the time, and if they do, they might end up dropping the sorority to devote more time to studies. One person said sororities tend to have a lot of PR majors, which can be perceived as a less intense field. Greeks said although “easier majors” and Greek life may seem to go hand-in-hand, there are still a good portion of members studying more “serious” majors like pre-med, engineering, and finance.
3. Stereotype: Greeks feel entitled to cut the lines when going out. Verdict: somewhat true.Most Greeks agreed this occurs but didn’t notice this as a trend exclusive to the Greek community. One person interviewed asked, “Well how do you actually know who is in a sorority?” Based on stereotypes as identification, other Greeks said the statement is true for some people, particularly with underage sisters.
4. Stereotype: Greeks are rich. Verdict: not necessarily true.Greeks said every situation is different. Girls range from “filthy rich” to “working three jobs to get by.” No one interviewed found the stereotype surprising because they pay dues to join, but they said money isn’t something most of them flaunt. You can find rich and poor in sororities, but they all live under the same roof.
5. Stereotype: Greeks are “slutty.” Verdict: mixed.Most Greeks interviewed agreed sororities (not individual girls in them) are more promiscuous than non-Greeks. Some explained “slutty” actions stem from their tendency to go out and drink more, as well as regularly interacting with fraternity brothers at parties.
6. Stereotype: Greeks always wear pastels and white shorts. Verdict: true, but they don’t know why.Some Greeks thought the statement applied to everyone as a general fashion trend, but others thought the statement was completely valid. One thought it had to do with the influence of Lily Pulitzer clothing or the standards for recruitment because “white shorts go with everything.”
7. Stereotype: Greeks are more willing to try drugs. Verdict: true for some, but not for all.Greeks said drug use, especially party and recreational drug use, does happen but not any more frequently than outside of the Greek community. They noted it is more common at fraternities than sororities but that not everyone participates or wants to any more or less than non-Greeks.
8. Stereotype: Greeks are “self-absorbed.” Verdict: true for some, but not for all, and it depends on the situation.Greeks said the stereotype is true for many people they’ve seen but noted not everyone is as into themselves as some may think. They also understand why this happens. Being surrounded by other girls in full hair and makeup with pressures to always look good to represent the chapter inevitably causes some people to be conceited, they said. One Greek offered another reason: “When you start hanging around fraternity guys and getting lots of compliments, you start thinking you’re hot sh*t.”
9. Stereotype: Greeks are ditzy and don’t care about school. Verdict: not true.Greeks said their GPAs tend to be higher than the total student population’s average. Many have members that “stay in and study all the time” and are very serious pre-law or pre-med types. One said the statement was unfair considering Greeks and non-Greeks alike were accepted into the same university.
10. Stereotype: Greeks always think their sisters, for example, are backstabbing them. Verdict: Not true, but true in a different way.Greeks said the statement itself is false, but they rationalized the thought by agreeing girls in sororities tend to deal with more drama.
Photo Credits:www.totalfratmove.com