One of the hottest events, literally and figuratively, on campus during the fall semester is hands down a football game tailgate. It is an annual event where the entire student body is able to come together to enjoy the two most popular college activities: football and drinking.
There is never a bad vibe, which opens the scene for any and all to join in on the fun—or so it seems.
Stereotypes play a huge role when it comes to tailgating—and speaking of stereotypes, if you think computer science majors smell bad, just wait until you step foot into these tents for the first time!
Based on annual mannerisms and conversation starters, stereotypical tailgate characters are usually easily recognized. Though, some have managed to blend in with the crowd.
Here are ten types of people you are bound to see at the tailgate. If you find them all, you should yell BINGO!
The girl who has too much to drink
This is a super generic character, but this girl is known for her course of action throughout the night.
She goes around to everyone inside the tent, sparks conversation, flirts with new individuals and befriends random strangers. Though this is all in good spirit, it inconveniences others who also come to the tailgate to have a good time.
As she progresses in her drunken state, exercising her free will becomes a priority. Sometimes, it concerns her friends to the point that they have to intervene and put an end to her night.
The Student “DJ”
More often than not, a select few students step into the pocket and throw together a setlist for the tailgate. While this might seem like an advantage to have student DJs, it is sometimes a letdown.
To give credit where credit is due, the students are trying their best.
Learning how to configure the devices and perform with no slip-ups is stressful and unavoidable. With the lack of preparation and a short time window, it is hard to demonstrate their best work for the audience.
Undoubtedly, you’ll witness the crowd groan when the music pauses or switches up suddenly while the frustrated “DJ” frantically attempts to undo it.
Desperate frat guy
To touch base on one of the most common stereotypes at the tailgate, this specific frat guy utilizes his manipulation skills to win over the ladies.
He scouts the area.
He does so from the top of the little wooden platform that is always conveniently placed in the center of the dance floor. There, he patiently waits until he sees an open opportunity. When he strikes, it’s usually with an offer to drink with him.
To break the awkward tension created from this, he tosses an offer onto the table. Anthony, a junior at the University of Houston, explains what that conversation usually sounds like.
“He’ll get you in [to a future frat event] for free if you take the shot.”
The weatherman
This is the most subtle of the stereotypes due to their lack of engagement and consistent placement within the tents.
The weathermen sit in far corners alone, attempting to look busy on their phone. The weather app’s blue reflection painted on their face, however, gives away their cover.
Inevitably, this character is the one individual who knows way too much about the game day forecast.
The nostalgic mother
While walking on the sidewalk of the tailgate it becomes extremely apparent—especially during parents weekend—that a majority of the fraternity members target to gain the attention of students’ mothers. The fraternity members create alluring signs with bold words, luring the moms with nostalgia of their youth.
The mothers, with prior knowledge on exactly how to play this game, usually take advantage of the opportunity.
She poses for photos with the students and manages to sneak time to have a drink with them, keeping the conversation chatty. From an outsider perspective, however, it might look a little too close for comfort.
The drunken thief
As they ride in from the shadows, the drunken thieves will put spatial awareness to the test at a tailgate. Whether it’s their small talk to distract or their slyness behind the scenes, they will manage to slip into pockets with no stumble in sight.
Typically, they have a target set out for their theft and are able to work their way through the crowd without an outsider batting an eye.
The pledges
A twist on the fraternity brothers and their roles when it comes to the tailgate, the pledges—freshman fraternity members—are the real men running this show. They meticulously handle all the behind-the-scenes work such as setting up the tents, running last-minute errands and taking care of drunken members.
Whether they are doing this so-called dirty work for the best interest of their future or out of the kindness in their hearts, these members are the backbone of the tailgates. Their noticeably stressed faces or quick feet usually gives them away.
The sorority girls
Sorority girls put a 110 percent effort into organizing the tailgate alongside the fraternities. They are a main component in the structure and time management of the event. Working together with the pledges, they ensure a smooth tailgate run-of-show and student satisfaction.
The sorority girls usually standout due to their full glam makeup and incredible outfits. The main question, however, is how their makeup manages to stay flawless all throughout the night.
The girl who gets drunk within ten minutes
Not to be confused with the girl who has too much to drink, the girl who gets drunk within ten minutes gets her money’s worth of intoxication immediately. She doesn’t even get the chance to have too much to drink.
This girl bounces around the tents left and right, dragging two or three girls along behind her with the invisible leash they latched around her. Unfortunately, that invisible leash provides too much leniency for her to escape when their guards are down. She can be spotted across the tailgate one second and seen on the opposite side within the next ten.
She’ll have you second-guessing if she is secretly the Flash or has an identical twin.
The fighter
All things considered, the tailgate provides an open door for a lot of disagreements, especially with all the team pride and alcohol consumption. For some, it is more of a frequent occurrence to spark a feud with others, whether that is verbal or physical.
Alexandra, a junior at the University of Houston described the notorious fighter.
“The girl who is always going to fight someone, yet she can’t fight at all.”
Alexandra also explained how the girl will speak what is on her mind freely, not taking into account the possibility of consequences. Those consequences typically regard their ability to make it home safely after the evening.
Somehow, things always magically work in the fighter’s favor.
Stereotypes aside, tailgates are worth experiencing
Tailgates are so rich. Whether it is through sharing similar interests, playful humor or making quick introductions, tailgates are a gateway for social networking. They are structured to be a welcoming environment for students to have a good time together.
And all things being considered, some of the stereotypical people seen at the tailgates are the ones who truly make the event worthwhile. Without all of them playing a role, tailgates wouldn’t have the one thing every college student searches for: the experience.
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