There are, however, a few very key things you’ll want to avoid while rushing. Read on, dear friend, and learn how to not be an idiot.
Hook up and/or hit on an active’s girlfriend
This is the dumbest thing you can do, but often the easiest mistake to make. You go to this great party with, again, free booze and bros being cool to you, and you feel like you’re the absolute man. You see a group of girls, pick one out, and start hitting on her.
In the background, Active X is making notes that you’re the fuckhead that’s hitting on his girlfriend. Maybe he has low self-esteem. Maybe he knows that deep down she just might go for it. Regardless, tread lightly when it comes to girls that are older than you. While it might be a great story for a day or two, it’s not worth getting balled by some dude whose girlfriend gives it up too easily.
Suicide rushing
When you’re scoping out fraternities, you might find one you know is perfect for you. They have the best parties, the hottest chicks, the best house.
The problem is that they might not feel the same way. It’s sometimes hard to tell if they like you or not, just because their default is to try to be bros with everyone. So make sure you spread it out a bit, and don’t be that guy stuck with his dick in his hand and without a bid.
Puke in an active’s room
The main thing you have to realize about rush is that, while these guys are nice to you right now, they’ll be hazing you in mere weeks. Don't give them reason to make that experience even worse for you.
Being overly polite
They’re asking you to be a member of a fraternity, not go out to brunch with their parents. While they'll take you to awesome stuff, there’s nothing more annoying than some young kid constantly thanking you for things that aren’t that big of a deal.
Constantly asking if you’re getting a bid
It’s a common reaction to want to know where you stand on something, but constantly asking if you’ll get a bid is a pretty easy way to not get a bid.
Always talking about your dad/uncle/cousin that was in this fraternity
Please, please, please don’t talk about your cool uncle “crushing it” here in the 80s. If a fraternity will give you a bid based solely off of your dad going there, it’s probably not one you want to be in.
Be the drunk “college is the best!” guy
Everyone gets way too drunk at college. It's the reason it exists. But during rush you should avoid being that guy who's naked, wearing a beer football helmet screaming “I LOVE THIS FRATERNITY.” Save that for after you’ve gotten a bid.
Take too much advantage of the free shit
The free stuff you get during rush is incredible, but avoid being that idiot that's always asking for the free beer, bowl, or whatever. It's generally going to be given to you. Don't be a prick about it.
Hang around too much
Knowing when you're not wanted is a skill you should have because you're a human, but make sure you really use it during rush. Rush can be annoying for actives, especially the younger guys, so give them some time to not hang out with you. They’ll thank you for it.
Worry about pledgeship
Pledgeship is the hellish darkness at the end of the rush tunnel. But don’t worry about it. It’s going to suck and you’ll hate it, but there’s nothing you can do about it.
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