Why do some people say sororities are "buying your friends?"

[Yoquierotacobel]

I hang out on another forum that is similar to yahoo answers. it's just not as bad and allows a little more user interaction. I have seen a couple of questions about sororities on the site and people always go on to say sororities are for people who have no friends and have to "buy their friends" or sororities mean you're buying fake friends or whatever.

Even though I haven't gone through recruitment, I definitely think people are so ignorant when it comes to things like sororities and fraternities.

I asked my sister and she told me that if you go through recruitment 'properly' then that means you treated the sorority sisters just like you would anyone else you are befriending. she said it's the same process as befriending the girl who sits next to you in Calculus because you're getting to know the people individually. The houses aren't going to invite you back or give you a bid based on what you want to pay them but based on whether you click with them cause you're going to be sisters for life.

But why do people say this?

[AOII Angel]

Because they are jealous, ignorant or both.

[FleurGirl]

That stereotype generally comes up since we're paying dues. They tend to neglect, however, that our dues pay for housing, meals, shirts, sisterhood events, mixers, etc.

[33girl]

If it really was that simple (i.e. paying dues = having friends) then no one would go inactive or terminate for any reason other than financial ones.

[ElieM]

Originally Posted by HQWest

One of the MANY problems with spring recruitment is that we would have some girls show up for recruitment that weren't interested really they were just there because. A classic moment was when at the first party on the first day a girl - presumable for shock value - walks up to my big sis and says "Sororities are just buying your friends" To which sis replied "At 25 cents per friend per month till I graduate and then they are friends for life? Best D**n deal I ever made!"
Needless to say she dropped out...

made me think of this, which is a perfect reply
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...=120787&page=3

[psy]

^
I LOVE that quote.

[AXOrushadvisor]

My brother used to say that to me until he had two daughters that pledged Sigma Kappa. He feels differently now

[Kevin]

Greek life is the best dollars:friends ratio on campus. Not to worry.

[greekdee]

Greek organizations require dues so that they can operate. Any organization and business needs $ to function. It's a basic concept of I've never understood people who refuse to apply it to sororities and fraternities.

Going Greek is NOT buying friends...but if it was, I can honestly say it was some of the best money I ever spent and one of the best investments I ever made.