When it comes to dinner, I consider myself to be very much a proletariat. Fanciness for fanciness' sake puts me off as forcing myself to be something that I am comfortably not. I am self-conscious like that; I try to be an anti-snob because I have developed a suspicion of others being fake.
I am not, and never have been, accustomed to fancy wine or twinkling music like that at a charity event for the town's elite. While my family has always been a presence in the Greencastle community, my mom being a respectable lawyer and my dad as the former town pharmacist, I was raised to be humble about surroundings. I had no reason to see it otherwise, normally because I was always the one being put down.
I think that my viewpoints are a little more common than some of my Wabash peers. I am someone who believes that such events like those fancy dinners are not for the purpose of "being seen". I don't see attending events where you are required to be stiff as being suitable for growth. I am more for honest conversation with other alumni than I am for being fake or acting like I'm all that, just because I'm there.
It is a bigger issue that I have with politicians and ass-kissers. It seems like most colleges have these types, all to advance a career or to attain favoritism.
Even so, I am not writing to bash others for being pretentious in this way. That's not productive here, however being honest is always the greater virtue over complacency. It is no secret to others that I have a suspicion of people in power, those who do the things they do just so they can be recognized above everyone else.
What if there was a point to attending these fancy dinners? What if the point was not to be seen? What if the point was to just be yourself?
One of the great things about Wabash is that students have opportunities to network with their alumni base. It is one of the elements of why we do things here, and allows us to maintain close connections. Wabash Men are to be everywhere, and they are to be eager to help their own.
But the bigger question is this: Who is actually coming just for the attention, and who is showing up to meet and connect with others?
Breaking bread with those who unconditionally support Wabash and the wider community all comes down to friendliness, a firm handshake, and a little humility. It's not about being a suck-up or a yes-man. It's about having decent, honest conversation. It's also about being yourself. While you respect the code, you should respect the people more.
Don't show up to the dinner just because you want to impress. Go because you are a Gentleman and a real person.
