"Huh? I Couldn't Hear You."

By: Carolyn Kirby

It is a dangerous statement to make here in Aggieland where Texas Pride is as abundant as cowboy boots at the Hall on Thursday night, but I have a confession: I wanted out of Texas. I know, what was I thinking? My plan was to head North as soon as I graduated. You know, broaden the horizons, experience a new culture. But the fact of the matter is, the Aggie spirit has captured me.

I took this spirit of community and amity here on A&M’s campus for granted until I had an abrupt awakening to the stark Northern culture. Walking around a campus in Pennsylvania, I tried to greet the people I passed on the sidewalk with a friendly smile and warm hello, only to have my efforts reciprocated with averted eyes, guttural noises, or, at best, an awkward stare. Most walked focused as if they were on a dire mission and didn’t care about anyone else.

Many were preoccupied on cell phones and ipods, withdrawn and disengaged from their fellow students with a clear message of “don’t talk to me” slapped on their forehead. While a part of me still wanted to dig up my Texas roots and go North in an attempt to spread a little “Texas sunshine” on that chilled campus, the truth was, I just couldn’t resist the enthusiastic, friendly atmosphere of the Aggie community.

During the first couple weeks of school, my expectations of the camaraderie were met and even exceeded. “Howdy’s” abounded with upperclassmen happy to be back and overly zealous freshmen wanting to be a contender as really the proudest member of the fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2011. But as the weeks have rolled on, greetings have dwindled and more and more ipods have found a seemingly permanent home perched in students’ ears.

I know, the weight of tests, papers, and midterms are weighing down upon us and it is just easier to plug in some tunes, disconnect, and melt into our own little world of pretty melodies and comforting lyrics. But what kind of message are we sending to fellow Aggies?

This week I conducted a little experiment of my own. I made an effort to say “Howdy” to everyone I passed listening to music. Of the 75 people I greeted, no one smiled and only 7 made eye contact that gave me any hope that they even heard me. As I fell into step alongside other students, I would simply ask them how their day was going. Most didn’t hear me, a few took out an earphone and responded with an overcompensating, “Huh?” or “What’d you say?"

It scares me as I walk to and from classes seeing people texting - unaware of their surroundings, listing to their ipods – nonverbally communicating that they don’t want anything to do with you, and walking studying notes – uninterested in the people around them, because I see the seeds of that Northern attitude I experienced creeping in to choke out our spirit!

Don’t let it happen, Ags. Let’s keep that welcoming spirit alive that A&M prides itself on and draws so many in. Yes, it may take a little more effort, but next time you’re walking down the sidewalk, smile, throw out a couple “howdy’s”, engage the person beside you in conversation, and, dare I be so bold, maybe even take out the earphones.