Why do we Stoop so low?

Every Thursday and Saturday night, demons rise from the depths of hell to feast on our archaic Babson tradition. I don’t think I even have to say what it is that I am referring to, but for those of you who have yet to experience the mind-numbing tradition we call Stoop (which is most likely very few of you), you’re not missing out. Well, it depends on who you ask. Picture this: tipsy frat boys, folks stumbling around like they're auditioning for a slapstick comedy, and all the other characters that the Babson community has to offer. This may seem like your typical frat party, however, it's not so much a party as it is a...well, a gathering of sorts. What's wrong, you ask? Good music, for one. There's an abundance of broken bottles, a stretch of land that's more crowded than the subway during rush hour, and conversations that might just change the word "stupid" to “stoopid.” The list of complaints could go on and on, and if you ask any Babson student, they'd probably be happy to provide a seemingly endless supply of responses. It's one of those things that you just have to experience to fully appreciate. Or not appreciate. Yeah, that's probably closer to the truth. 

Don’t get me wrong, Stoop can be enjoyable, it’s an acquired taste. For drunkies, it’s an entire hour dedicated to blissfully prancing around the lawn of Pietz Hall. But for teetotalers, it can be likened to babysitting toddlers. Now, to truly experience that genuine connection at Stoop, it's almost like there's an unspoken rule: you've got to indulge in a little liquid courage. And for those fine folks who opt not to partake in the age-old art of sipping, well, let's just say they often find themselves feeling disconnected. Here's the thing, at Stoop, there's no dancing, and that leaves just about one way to have a blast. But let's digress from the people for a second and hone in on the wonderful tunes which the Babson students are blessed with. The music played exists at either end of the spectrum: excessively loud or overly quiet. The soundtrack is awkward and rigid, who wants to listen to a hardstyle remix of Taylor Swift’s blank space. The original is by far superior. 

But let's dig a bit deeper into the psyche of the typical Babson Bro. If you introduce yourself during Stoop, 9/10 times, they won’t bother to remember your name. The next day, although you shared a few drinks and giggles, you’re nothing more than another face. Stoop is where you go for repetitive, forgetful conversations. Stoop is where the art of conversation goes to die. Since there is no dancing, people need to keep themselves occupied somehow. Hence, the meaningless conversations. “Oh wait.... (a few stumbles and incoherent mumbles later) don’t I remember you from Professor Wilson’s Manegerial Accounting Class?” 

Heck, to be fair though, forgetting the embarrassing trauma dump you had with a frat’s president, is probably not the worst thing. Stoop conversations can last for some time and the next day it's like it never even happened. It is a known fact people have walked past someone in Trim, knowing they spent the other night talking to them about their entire life story. And don’t forget about names. Never expect to remember one when you leave Stoop. I really have stopped taking offense to when people forget my name, because I am guilty of it myself. To this day I still wave hello to this guy who is named either Tyler or Trevor; the world may never know. Name forgetting and dull conversations are just one of the many charming aspects of Stoop.  

Speaking of charming, aren't the men just so lovely. How can one resist the loud, shirtless, sweaty, and all that is fraty about a man. Being a girl at Stoop is like being the star attraction in a petting zoo. You've got a crowd of eager folks, all vying to get closer to you while hoping you won't make a quick getaway. The girls eventually make either make their way to safety or the end up humoring themselves by indulging in conversation with these men. Amidst all the madness, there's this enigmatic "Babson charm" lurking in the background. What exactly that is, well, that's anyone's guess. 

No matter who you ask about Stoop you will always get a response. It could be wildly positive, outrageously negative, or somewhere in between. Now, despite all my playful bashing of the Stoop scene, I'll admit it's something you must experience at least once as a Babson student. It's a tradition, after all. As chaotic as it may seem, you always walk away the next day with a story to tell. I mean, where else can you find a delightful blend of ear-jarring music, slightly bizarre conversations, and, well, some 'unique' company? Yes, I'm completely aware that this makes me a bit of a hypocrite, but hey, traditions are meant to be kept alive, right? Nevertheless, there is always room for growth. Instead of making students stoop down to such a level why not give us something to look forward to. Perhaps let's start with a decent soundtrack.