University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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18 romance By Kelli Mustard Getting involved at KU often meant meet- ing new people. But, meeting members of the opposite sex often The search for dates took students to bars, Watson Library ana' laandromats. UEST FOR COMP involved embarrassing and uncomfortable situations. Certain places were often associated with meeting those people who were appealing. But where do people go to encounter their future bonds or passing flings? Libraries, classes, residence halls and bars were among the most popular places to don scoping glasses. These locales were natural places to find people with common interests. When entering Watson Library to study, a student could look around to find someone studying for the same class. The computer center also proved useful for reasons besides writing an English paper, especially if Tracy Liggett, Massillon, Ohio, junior, was there to help. lf you hear the words, Hey, nice mouse. Want to see my mouse? Tracy was somewhere near. He was inclined to help anyone who looked lost at the Macintosh. Classes were probably the easiest way to get to know new people. Conversation came naturally for students who really needed help. Chris Cielona, Evanston, Ill., senior, said that classes were a good place to start to get to know someone. You can B.S. about the class, Cielona said. After establishing the same opinions about a professor. Cielona advised students to 'Lfind out how they study, with the next step being a study session. Meeting people in the academic climate was not for everyone. A better way might have been to look elsewhere. Residence halls and apartments provided the perfect situation to meet the people who would be sleeping, eat- ing and breathing very close for the next nine months. Coincidence could sometimes be a gift in residence hall living. When getting on an ele- vator with someone. starting a conversation could spark a positive encounter. Lori Davis, Lake Quivira freshman, said that when she meta guy with a laundry basket on the elevator, she laughed and said, You're being domestic?l' The responses varied, but it usually proved successful. Laundromats were another place where people usually begged for someone to talk to. They could provide an excellent chance to meet someone new. Many long, boring hours were spent watching clothing go around and around, and no one would think twice about talking with an appealing stranger. People also enjoyed helping poor clueless souls operate the washing machines and making themselves look skilled. Valerie Lindeman, Homewood, Ill., sopho- more, found herself in this situation. She as- sisted a forlorn man who asked her, How come the washer won't start? And the ice was broken, starting a genuine conversation. When thrust into the big college party scene, the common advice was to suck in your breath and become bold. Parties and barhopping were a tradition at KU. The best way to meet new people was tojust walk up to someone and to begin talking. Be yourself, said Maslen Flett,'Topeka sophomore. Pickup lines are cheesy. Meeting people at parties did have its downfall. Davis said that at some parties, though meeting people may be easy, you don't know them at their best. As a rule, when planning on meeting the man or woman of your dreams at a party or bar, it was best to stay away from the intoxicating beverages. Meeting people was complex. confusing, and sometimes nerve-racking. There really is no formulaf, said Sean ,J- Harris, Topeka senior, It mostly relies OU chance. He also adds, No wolf whistles. Whether you walk a cute little puppy0 Jayhawk Boulevard, sit on Wescoe Beachtg to The 'Hawk or the Power Plant or stay int- X rtsideme Pfllplg dl of Wtluldbilha jul ha, E bi Thecn U elff wx HNEHR

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X 1991 I xi iff' ff t irls once again sang to us. We clapped and lfticsconcdflffaved to them. I decided that maybe this rllirushtfilll 'asn't so bad after all. teflon' Quill I was wrong. Yenomditt We all boarded the bus for the next party. UN 6 .inri0Il grill? ll bnlveryone took out their notebooks and wrote Jwn their reactions to the house. Next, every- drift fy if 4, -1 I I ,ffl itt one pulled out some lipstick, a mirror and other assorted makeup. We all patted our noses and teased our bangs. The bus pulled away and headed for the next sorority. One down. Thirteen to go. The repetition. The next six parties consisted of the same 5 SISTERS OF THE DELTA DELTA DELTA sorority congratulate newly picked pledges on Bid Day. Bid Day was the traditional day when girls found out which house they were chosen for other going through the rush process. iPhoto by James Cradvj four questions, along with some small vari- ations here and there. I repeated the same answers but I found myself lying and expand- ing my answersjust to make them interesting. Several of the houses provided us with lemon water to drink It was refreshing, but it also posed a problem of how to drink casually. drink amiably and most importantly, how to not spill all over myself. By the eighth house or so, I found that I had developed a permanent smile. The muscles in my face were so sore that the only comfortable position for them was that of a grin. My face was in a frozen state of happiness. By the end, I felt myself starting to drag and at the last party, I no longer cared what I looked like or ifl was being interesting at all. Luckily, I still had that smile on my face so I looked as ifl was still having fun. After what felt like two hours, the bell rang and we again filed out and were sung to. I was relieved to be done, for the day at least. The bus dropped us off at the dorm, and we were like zombies as we went right to bed. The rest of rush was the same. The parties consisted of the same songs, questions and conversations. In retrospect, rush was not unlike the real world. In a world of quick decisions based on criteria, quick elimination is not unusual. I may resent the whole process of rush, but I felt that the experience was worthwhile beyond words. I learned quite a bit about life and about dealing with people and situations from rush- mg. Besides, I am now an expert on small talk as well as being in the house of my choice and loving it. U rush 17

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Kzsidence hall, students would meet a variety ,fi llWf people during their years at KU. Some ti Wig 'ould be the objects of fantasies, others might k ucuitmist have been someone to waste time with. ,iran WWE he consensus was to just be yourself, wher- plytierljm fer and whenever. U P11010 1'1lzzst1'41ti01z by Brian Jauzex romance 19