What do you, BRITISH people think about the American sororities/fraternities?

Thank you Rollin for that exhaustive and interesting answer!
"The secret handshake and stuff": I do find that ludicrous but Freemasons are quite serious about it!

Undoubtedly this is a realistic picture. Clearly sororities (it is that and not sonorities, isn't it?) are chiefly concerned with kinky sex. That explains their popularity.

It is correct that nothing similar exists in UK universities, where people join societies at will according to their interests or (to a l;esser extent) the sort of friends or future work contacts they want to make - but that's things like people with ambitions in the performing arts joining drama groups and women and men who fancy big beefy guys joining up for rowing (that's the sort in boats, not the sort involving angry, raised voices, though there are probably some student societies for that).

There are old boy societies for people who went to "public" (= private) schools and similar set-ups for universities. These may be helpful to people who for work reasons need to cultivate lots and lots of personal contacts - artists, consultants, private doctors, prostitutes and so on - but my reaction has always been that I didn't see why the mere fact of having gone to the same university would mean we had much in common and I could easily join groups of people with whom I definitely did share an interest.

Thank you for the information Rollin - I've got a much clearer picture of what sororities are about now.

Maybe the LSF should have a secret handshake. Or better yet, a secret butt-slap.

We already do.....................................OR is that just Me????????????????

I'm feeling very left out here.

I'm proud to say I was part of a sorority at college. It was mainly for social reasons and camaraderie, not for anything kinky! We did things like participating in parties & formals; doing community service; tutoring and supporting our fellow sisters; fundraising; and of course, building lasting friendships which I still share to this day.

In my particular experience, it did NOT include wild sex and drinking (although the frats often did so), or any paddling rituals or hazing, but we did have traditions like a secret handshake, songs/cheers and an initiation ceremony. We were sworn to secrecy so alas, I cannot share any juicy details, but overall it was a fun experience and a big part of life on campus. It really depends on the school environment as to how important a role the frats and sororities play. In some places, such as a more 'academic' school like the one I attended, there weren't many social options or sporting events, so Greek life took on more importance for students looking for an active social life.

Some sororities still practice paddling plus a lot of other hazing rituals but their code of secrecy prevents outsiders from usually finding out about it unless someone gets seriously injured and it makes the news. I personally have known some sorority girls, past and present, and they will sometimes reveal some secrets, especially if they are drunk.

Let's get Janine drunk...

What do British people think about Sorities/Fraternities ? Well in this context you are talking about initiation beatings...right ?? Thoroughly approve is the answer...lol. It didn't happen at British Universities because it had already happened at school but you Americans always take what we start with and run with it !! Love you for it !!