<p>learn fin. responsibility.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve only been to one frat party ever, and it was free (it was a couple weeks ago, though. I imagine during the year they’re much bigger and probably cost money then). The few parties I’ve been to where it cost money were house parties, and actually they were hosted by friends/my boyfriend (at the time) so I got in free. Most people don’t charge money because they know people won’t want to pay. (seriously, if I heard about a party and then found out it cost, I’d probably just leave unless ALOT of people I knew were there). </p>
<p>Even the really huge parties I’ve been to didn’t really charge (and trust me, I’ve been to a few). Of course, I am a girl, and alot of times places will only charge guys to drink (because they want less competition for the hotties), so maybe I’ve been to more parties than I thought where money was involved, but I don’t think so. From what I’ve seen, many times it’s just sort of expected that if you host the party, you pay for it. Sometimes people will collect money to go get MORE alcohol though, if the keg gets floated or something.</p>
<p>Also, a majority of the parties I go to are hosted by friends or at least acquaintances, so that must make a difference as well. Tell you the truth, I think frat houses are probably the only place you’ll go where you/your friends don’t know alot of the people, unless you find some huge house party on facebook that a random acquaintance is going to and you think “hey why not?” and go with a couple friends as well. Yes, I have done this before; some of the best parties were found this way! </p>
<p>Keep in mind, this is my own personal experience at a semi-rural (town about 40,000 people; university at ~23,000) university in Alabama. Maybe it’s just the whole southern hospitality thing, with people not making others pay.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’ve ever had to pay, though I’ve thrown in money before to offset costs if they’re good friends. Most of the time I go to smaller parties where I know almost everyone there though. At the larger parties I’ve been to I’ve never been asked to pay either (and neither have the male friends I’ve gone with). </p>
<p>I think people expect you to “pay them back” by throwing a party at some point in return. At least that’s the way it worked for our group of friends.</p>
<p>At parties I’ve been to (house, apartment, Greek), it’s either BYOB or pay $2 for a cup. I remember one party right after Winter Break…it was a 10-kegger, this house was packed w/ ~200 people, and three were there, bought their cups, and then called a huge group of friends (~75 people) and told them what cups were being used so those guys then went to Wal Mart and bought the same cups and then went to the house. They tried getting beer from the kid running the kegs with their cups but the original guys who bought cups and called friends didn’t notice that the owners of the house had marked all of their cups with little stickers on the bottom. The 80 or so people involved were all kicked out.</p>
<p>Beer Kegs are expensive. $5 for unlimited supply of beer is cheap. If you go to a party plan to pay (you’re lucky if you dont have to) and have a good time. The owners have every right to charge you for what you’re paying for.</p>
<p>Thank you mathmastic_nerd, I quite agree. And on that note, while I did not develop this habit in college, being away from my parents has definitely strengthened my good choice-making habits. I have been offered alcohol many times now, but I am underage, and seeing other underage people drinking makes me sick.</p>
<p>This thread asks what the best habits to pick up in college are, not anything about paying for alcohol. C’mon people, alcohol (free or not) should not be a habit. Drink occasionally if you want, I don’t care, but this discussion is ruining a thread.</p>
<p>The best habit to pick up in my opinion is exercise. Keep that freshman 15 away!</p>
<p>party every night</p>
<p>I don’t know where you guys go to college, but if you don’t drink what do you do on a friday night? Anyway…you have to pay at every party unless you are a girl. A cup is normally 5 bucks and if it is more, go to another party. Believe it or not (contrary to the belief of most people on here) its possible to drink alcohol and survive in college</p>
<p>woah 5 bucks for a drink?? that’s NUTS, i’ve never paid for a drink (i’m a guy) in college. i couldn’t afford to get drunk @ that price!!!</p>
<p>mathnerd, chill out, you can probably count the intellectuals who don’t drink or haven’t done drugs one one hand…
the best writers are drunks and potheads bro.
jack kerouac wrote “on the road” on a 20 day methamphetamine (sp?) buzz…the beatles made seargent pepper on Acid,…hell…any big name artist/intellectual in the 60’s was on acid…it changed society back then.
French writers in the 1840’s were the first to bring in hashish clubs (the earliest coffee shops) into Europe.</p>
<p>it’s all about moderation and knowing how to stay safe.</p>
<p>5 bucks is really nothing</p>
<p>when you go out, drinks are at least $5 + tip</p>
<p>oh well @ bars ya, but college parties? nobody charges for drinks, @ least frats, and for small apt. parties it’s all bout asking people to bring their own booze, or just chipping in when they can.</p>
<p>Um, I’ve never heard of a party with free drinks. I don’t drink so I don’t go to parties, but a cheap party is either like a $5-$10 cover charge or $3 a drink around here. And if it’s a smaller party like just a few friends, normally everyone splits the cost of the alcohol unless someone has a rich parent who gives them a ton of money or something.</p>
<p>well i guess it depends on what school you go to…every frat party i’ve ever been to is free, the booze might not be great, but it’s free, unless it’s for a charity (sometimes the campus democrats and other groups have fundraisers or w/e).
maybe i’m just well connected.</p>
<p>what kind of college bars/clubs are you going to that drinks are $5?</p>
<p>i’m used to around a $10 cover then dollar drinks, free drinks, beat the clock $1-$2-$3, free till 12 then 2-4-1…depending on the night. however, i’ve never paid for a drink, paid to get in, and always gotten a wristband(and i’m a guy, and 17). knowing the right people makes all the difference in the world. which is what i would say the best habit to pick up in college is, metting new people. go around your dorm and knock on doors, go to Greek events, go to that party you wouldn’t have…</p>
<p>By $5 a cup I’m pretty sure the poster meant for a cup at a kegger, which is basically $5 all you can drink beer. $5 for a kegger is pretty standard here.</p>
<p>U of Illinois is between $0 and $7 cover to get into bars depending on when you go, and the drinks are like $1-2, a bucket of 5 coronas for $5, a pitcher of mgd for $4-5, and I’m not sure how much an icebomb costs but theyll screw you up haha.</p>
<p>The bar nearest my apartment has $5 drinks and up according to their menu outside… I thought that was standard. I mean, you can get cheap light beer for $3 but if you drink that you deserve to get food poisoning. My boyfriend drinks a lot of local beers and it’s general $5 a glass or up. I’ve never heard of a bar being any cheaper.</p>
<p>Liquor laws vary from state to state – many prohibit charging for alcohol unless a special temporary liquor license is obtained, and how difficult those are to get (and how expensive) can vary.</p>
<p>Many universities have different policies/attitudes regarding drinking. One thing is for sure: if you are caught by the police off-campus drinking before you are legally able, your school will likely put you on disciplinary probation. If you drink so much that medical attention is required, you’re in the same position. </p>
<p>I know of two college students in the past year who have died from alcohol poisoning because their friends were too afraid to help them for fear of being caught themselves. Living under probation is a lot better than knowing you could have prevented someone’s death but did not. (Some colleges offer amnesty for drunk students who help another receive medical care.)</p>
<p>Good habits to pick up in college?</p>
<p>– Waking yourself up in time to get to your first class.</p>
<p>– Doing your laundry before you’re desperate. (Febreeze doesn’t solve all problems!)</p>
<p>– Keeping your room organized so you’re not embarrassed when your cute/hot new BF/GF wants to see it. </p>
<p>– Staying on top of homework, reading, and studying. If you get behind in college, it’s <em>really</em> difficult to catch up.</p>
<p>– Calling your professors “Professor” – unless they tell you to call them by their first names. Mr. Somebody and Mrs. Someone mark you as a high school student.</p>
<p>– Using your professors’ office hours. They are usually happy to help you get over any difficulties. Besides, once they get to know you and realize that you’re trying to do well, they’re more inclined to give you a break if you are between two grades.</p>
<p>– Manage your time so that you can get good grades AND have fun. Jettison stuff like online poker and chat in favor of hanging out and doing stuff with your new friends.</p>
<p>– Remember names and personal details of the people you meet. Follow up on all suggestions to “look up” someone. Networking is vital when you leave college, and making connections now, as an undergraduate, can serve you well for your entire life. If nothing else, getting into the habit of networking will help you follow through later on.</p>