Greek life can be one incestuous mess, and the ladies of Her Campus present an interesting look at the politics of dating Greek. Frat relationships come as an intimidating package deal: the whole house for the price of a potentially good boyfriend. Writer Rachel Cieri gives us multiple pros and cons of living the frat lyfe, brah. I propose a few more to consider before you make that walk of shame down Frat Row a daily routine…
Pro: Housemates
When one girl in your house dates a brother, many times this expands to at least one more relationship between your houses, if not more. Multiple couples from two houses can build a strong overall relationship between the fraternity and sorority. Aka more socials, bids to large parties, etc. Having a fraternity your house can always go to in times of social wasteland can provide a nice backup when your Friday is unusually slow.
Con: Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match…
Dating a brother will soon be followed by some texts. These texts may or may not say things like, “Ohmagah, you’re dating ________? Props. He’s _________’s little right…? Hook a sister up!” Avoid these pleas by any means possible. Playing matchmaker is not only an annoying and surprisingly lonely process, but ultimately dangerous. Say you hook your bffl up with this dude. It ends badly/awkwardly/so forth and who gets shot? Yours truly, the messenger.
Pro: The Love Shack
Sororities come with long histories of tradition and ritual. Endearing? Yes. Convenient? Not so much. Especially when one of those traditions includes restricted access to the sorority house for males and pretty much makes any hanky panky on the grounds next to impossible. Fraternities don’t usually believe in such rules and adhere to a fairly strict line of guy code. The result? An excellent location to get yours. Play safe…
Con: The Greek Bubble
While dating Greek may help you find a real man, it can also get you stuck. The Greek Bubble can be a suffocating experience, forcing you into a world without the hunks in Co-Ops, on athletic teams, and in your classes. Don’t hate if they don’t have letters. Non-bros can be a refreshing and enlightening experience, introducing you to a whole new world beyond neon-lettered tanks, sticky beer-battered floors, and fist pumping keg stands.
Check out more Pros and Cons at Her Campus
The worst con is the Greek Bubble. That is the number one problem with dating a frat guy. From a girl’s perspective, it is easier to date a guy who is not in a fraternity because of the bubble. Every brother knows your business with a frat guy. If you ask me that is way to public. (I know the situation works both ways for sorority girls — but still.)
There is a pro you left out. One word: formals! Fraternity formals are always more fun.
Absolutely agree Brianna, The Greek Bubble can get overwhelming and a bit intrusive sometimes, from both a fraternity and sorority perspective. Although it’s interesting to think about which is worse – fraternity bubble or sorority bubble?
I mean, girls by their very nature love to talk – it’s a proven fact, not a sexist stereotype. On the other hand, I feel guys can be very crude and sometimes a little too open with their romantic activity with their lady…I can’t say I know which is the lesser of the two evils.
But on your point of formals – Absolutely!! Fraternity Formals are definitely a huge PRO!
Thanks for your input Brianna!!
Does anyone else have some PROs or CONs we left out?
No problem. My bias wants to make me say that sorority girls are not as bad. However, I am pretty sure we are even with the boys.
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