You live on Greek Street. You eat meals on Greek Street. You go to socials on Greek Street. You hang out with other Greek members… on Greek Street. Aside from campus and maybe work, you’re pretty isolated from anyone not on Greek Street (OK Pi Kappa Phi, you guys have the advantage on this one.) And, you’re not alone. Although we’re only a block away, it’s easy to keep our social, and especially dating, circles small. While there’s unity in each individual house, every member of the Greek community is a sister or brother.

So, if you do manage to meet someone outside of the Greek community, how do you handle it? A new best friend that’s a GDI? What about a boyfriend who’s on the football team? (No, PKA, not all of them are in your house.) It may seem easy to integrate the Greeks and non-Greeks but, while some do it with ease, most don’t.  Problems that can come with fraternizing with the enemy include:

Cluelessness: Yours or theirs. While you might know that the cutest SigEp in the roller rink just had a nasty breakup with your APhi sister, the girl you brought from your OChem class might not and might try to snag a SigEp formal date while she has the chance. Your dates are your responsibility. Make sure they’re having as much fun as you are — while not making too much trouble for themselves or you.

Middle Ground: Chances are, GDIs have GDI friends. And, while you might prefer hanging out with the bros or with the rest of your sorority, compromise can be important. Split your weekends with your two groups of friends, start the night with one group and end it with another or just shove everyone together. Who knows, your best friend could end up dating the hottest tennis player or that funny guy you know from Phi Dex.

Misunderstood: Greek life really is a way of life and sometimes people who are separated from the Greek community have a hard time understanding why we choose it. “You have a chef and a house cleaner?” they ask. “You pay how much a semester?” With questions like those sometimes it may seem easier to stick with what you know. But dating, or being friends with, an outsider can make you appreciate those who know how your life is on the day-to-day and can help GDIs connect with those of us that do, or will, proudly call 34th Street home.