It Takes Two to Tango: Dating apps and drinking culture at Cal Poly
This story originally appeared in The Peak, Mustang Media Group’s arts and student culture magazine. Check out more from “The Peak: Sh*t we weren’t told, the Adulting Issue.”
Drinking and dating in college have one thing in common: occasionally, mistakes are made. It can be from too much tequila or a Tinder mishap; regardless, the majority of people who have tried either have a horror story. There’s no need to feel alone when you take the walk of shame home because another Mustang has been there at some point.
Blame the jungle juice: Gen Z and drinking mishaps
By Samantha Orradre
It’s a rite of passage for freshmen to sneak plastic handles and 30 racks into the dorms (remember to hide them well). However, whether you are in the Red Bricks or yakʔitʸutʸu, drinking in college is a completely different ball game than high school parties.
Not only are you traversing over steep hills, but you’re also being exposed to a group of new people with different tolerances. A frat basement is a jungle juice in itself, with some people chugging actual jungle juice and others choking on Fireball shooters.
Some Mustangs may walk away with bruises, fresh scratches and occasionally a trip to the ER. In my experience, I tend to not leave a frat without several cans or stray bottle openers stuffed into my purse.
During a fateful freshman Halloween, my friend ended her night with a broken collarbone after failing to sprint across the street and ended up on the ground. Another friend became a victim of Burnett’s Vodka while en route to a concert at the Fremont Theater and consequently kissed the pavement with her forehead.
Although I was once turned away from the Fremont for some contraband hidden in my boot, at least I avoided the ER. Drinking is all fun and games until something goes wrong, so remember the basics: watch your drink, stay together and be careful.
Some Cal Poly students like to take the “work hard, play hard” mentality to a different level resulting in the chaotic stories that are created from this slogan. Personally, juggling Thursday nights out with a 7 a.m. Friday work shift consistently gave rise to a great camera roll and killer headache.
While others may yearn for a keg stand, it’s important to not only know your own boundaries, but respect the limits of others. Don’t give in to peer pressure, and beyond that, don’t pressure others. There are two things in college life at Cal Poly that are nearly inevitable: blacking out on St. Fratty’s and vomiting in a Red Brick bathroom. Not that I’ve done either of these, obviously, but I will say that Frank’s Hot Dogs has seen me at my worst hour. Their breakfast burrito is a must. So with this in mind, remember to pass your classes and that you can get an MIP at the Poly Royale.
Dating in college: Gen Z edition
By Allison Weil
While drinking might leave you with a bruise or two, Tinder can do just as much emotional damage. At Cal Poly, Tinder is practically its own ecosystem, one where “looking for something casual,” is just code for “I will ghost you after we hook up and pretend we’ve never made eye contact on Dexter Lawn.”
It’s not uncommon to match with someone, talk for a few days, then realize you both had class together the entire quarter. The worst part? You’ll probably have to keep seeing them for the rest of college.
Swiping in San Luis Obispo is like a game of Go Fish; you either get the engineers with no bios, the guys holding fish in every picture or the ones who mention their fraternity before their name.
Let’s not forget the classic “we should grab drinks sometime” opener that somehow never turns into actual plans. Unless, of course, it’s midnight and you somehow get that “wyd” text. Hopefully, you don’t catch a catfish.
But, on the bright side, every failed Tinder encounter makes for a great story to tell your roommates while debriefing with an iced matcha from Scout Coffee the next morning.
Tinder hookups in college are also sort of like frat party jungle juice; you’re not exactly sure what you’re gonna get. You could get Burnett’s Vodka, which is equivalent to the frat man sending you that same “wyd” text. Or you’ll get the Tito’s, which may just be your future husband. Also, you probably know it’s a bad idea, but you do it anyway. Just remember, if their first message is “u up?” the answer should probably be “no.”
Whether you’re navigating a frat party blacked out or navigating a confusing situationship that started with a swipe, college is all about collecting chaotic stories to tell one day. Try a new drink (responsibly), shoot your shot (on the app or at the bar) and don’t forget to turn off your Find My iPhone if you’re going to your sneaky link’s apartment in Mustang Village.
For more stories from “Sh*t we weren’t told, the Adulting Issue” check out the full edition.
