It takes a lot to sway me away from writing about sports. Unfortunately, it has happened.
When I’m not busy watching, writing, or talking about sports, I’m working at 3 Spoons. (Be jealous. I get free froyo after every shift.)
One night, I was at work and a group of college kids came in. One of my co-workers had asked why there were so many of them and why they were dressed up like Disney characters. We were told it was a “new member dance.” Now I’m not one to live the Greek life, but hey, if it floats your boat, go for it.
A parade of students dressed in different Disney replica outfits bombarded our tiny yogurt shop. After conversing for a while, they left; but they made sure to make a scene before they departed.
First, they gathered in front of the entrance of the store to take a picture. From what I understand, pictures are approximately 53.7 percent of Greek life, so it was understandable. However, when trying to bookmark the awesome events in your life, please do not entirely block the entrance to our store so that no one can enter or exit the establishment.
That was the first display of unawareness, rudeness, disrespect, whatever you want to call it. Just be considerate of your surroundings and the other people around you when you are in public.
So they took their picture, and as the group was headed out the door, a couple stayed behind to have their picture taken. They were quite cute in their Peter Pan and Wendy attire.
In attempts to capture the moment where Peter Pan flies off with Wendy, the boy (Peter Pan) climbed on top of one of the tables and stood on it, as if he were about to fly into the night.
Yes. He stood on a table. Where people eat. In public. And he thought it is appropriate behavior.
So here is my argument.
Would you go into Olive Garden and stand on their tables to take a picture? No. Because you would get kicked out.
Better yet, would you go home to your parents’ house and stand on your mother’s dining room table? No. If it were my mother, she would beat me with a stick for acting like a fool.
It is not appropriate to act like a hooligan in public. It is not appropriate to disrespect an establishment by standing on its tables. And it sure as heck is not appropriate to be that rude to other customers in the building.
My point is college is a new experience for everyone. You’re free, you don’t have your parents telling you what to do and you can pretty much do and be whatever or whoever you’d like. But as 18- to 22-year-old adults, we should all know what is and is not acceptable in public.
Use good judgment when you’re out in public. Not only are you embarrassing yourself, but you’re making every other student at Baylor look bad along with other people in your organization and those who are with you at the time.
Remember that you are representing someone or some organization every time you go out. Do everyone a favor: Understand you aren’t the only person out in public, be respectful of those around you and don’t act like an idiot just because your parents aren’t there to tell you you’re acting like one.
Savannah Pullin is a senior business journalism major from The Woodlands and is a reporter for the Lariat.
