Most people think that paddles are used in the process of having to physically hurt pledges but most houses use paddles in order for the pledges to collect signatures as a way for them to become more involved in house and get to know the rest of the members of the House. Pledge paddles are used to signify a pledge’s involvement in the house and his growing of relations with the fellow members. It is a way to mark their growth. I think paddles are too old-fashioned and unnecessary. They are heavy and something can be replaced by another medium. But since they are traditional fraternity items, they have meaning to each of the houses. Members of the house proudly hang their pledge paddles on their walls once they are done with the pledging process as a symbol of pride to show their collection of signatures.

In Europe, stores and restaurants are closed after 2 pm, even clothing stores. Entire cities take breaks from the hours of 2-4 pm. Meals are also very long in duration in Europe as the art and gathering of a meal is very important to the culture. I found this quite inconvenient when I was trying to grab a snack around 3 pm and could not because no store, not even grocery or clothing stores were open. This is also one of the reasons why dinners are so late as well, because people eat large lunches and rest afterwards. The meal times of Europe, Switzerland especially, have been tradition for hundreds of years. It is the way of life. Meals are also very long in duration because no one typically eats alone. Most people eat in large groups and have grand meals and wine. Meals in Switzerland is a celebration of company and life, as my grandmother says. I love great meals personally so I found this custom very enjoyable.

Spilling water behind the person who has a very important event such as a job interview or is traveling will bring good luck. It is done for a happy ending. I find this custom very random in that throwing water does not seem to have much of an effect rather than get the hand wet but my Serbian stepmother told me throwing the water behind you is like replenishing the Earth and giving back to what has given you life so that it is good karma and the Earth will repay you.

A pinning ceremony occurs when a fraternity member decides to give up his pledge pin for his girlfriend signifying that he has given up his membership for his fraternity to pin or promised her his commitment. This occurs in the sorority house and is a symbolic ceremony for both houses. This pinning ceremony is like the Greek version of an engagement which is its own folklore by passing down of the ideals of love, respect, and commitment. I greatly enjoy them. They are like a wedding but much lesser in seriousness. But still, they show the rest of the sorority and fraternity of how much each cares for the other and it is a way for a man to show his significant other how much she means over his fraternity but giving up his brotherhood for her, meaning he is ready to make greater commitments to her.

Each sorority and fraternity has their own flag similarly to how countries have their own flags to distinguish and represent their houses. The design and colors of the flags have been the same ever since the chapters origin which proves how the same design was passed down from pledge class to pledge class over hundreds of years. Each symbol of each sorority and fraternity is unique, like the bald eagle for the United States, as it serves as a representation of the house. The flag is like that of a country it represents the people and what they stand for. It is a symbol of pride. I think the flags are not necessary because one sorority or fraternity is not like a country but rather an organization. The symbols, however, are greatly symbolic because it is an honor to have them. In Medieval times, only the wealthiest class of families could have a symbol to forever lead on their legacy and similarly Greek life has communities that are to be symbolized forever for pledge classes to pass down for more years to hopefully symbolize the forever bond of sisterhood or brotherhood. I think they are a powerful symbol to have.