I’m not talking about the 1985 miniseries, which included the fabulous acting stylings of Kirstie Alley and Patrick Swayze. Although this does hold a special place in my heart. Any entertainment where women can wear hoop skirts and carry parasols is a fine piece of artistic work to me.
I’m just talking about what separates us … the North and the South.
There are numerous things I could mention. But, let me just begin with the obvious.
Gravy
I’m not even sure Northerners eat gravy, but Southerners eat gravy with everything. I’m not a fan of the white gravy. Yuck. Brown gravy is the popular gravy-type where I’m from. Rice and gravy is a staple.
Ya’ll
The speech in the South is totally different that of the North. We talk fast and use words that aren’t even words, but we all understand each other … well, most of the time. And, where I live, the Cajun dialect will make you think you’ve stepped into a foreign country. Don’t believe me? Come visit.
Friendliness
OK. This may be a touchy subject. But, honestly, Southerners are just nicer. There … I said it. More welcoming, more friendly (at least that’s been my experience). That’s not to say they can’t be blunt. THEY CAN. But, the manner in which the blunt things are said are nicer. (FYI: I’ve been told I am more like a Northerner in this area. Whatever.)
This Butterfinger commercial describes us to a T … Sweetness with a little bite.
In addition, you get a Southerner angry, and you’d better run for cover. They have strong opinions and guns and they’re not afraid to use either.
Ma’am
In the South, we are taught and teach our children to say “ma’am” and “sir,” and to always address adults with a “Mr.” and a “Mrs.” It’s considered rude and disrespectful if a child doesn’t use these terms. Not so in the North.
Bacon grease
Don’t you know you’re supposed to save that stuff? When I was a child, I remember there always being a bowl of cold, hardened bacon grease in the back of the fridge that would be used in several dishes to come. This made them even more delicious.
There are many, many more. These are just a few for you to consider.
I do love the South. Love.
But, there are also things that I don’t love. I’m sure that’s something both Northerners and Southerners can agree on. There are things we would change in both areas.
I choose to keep my eyes on the good things, the things I delight in.
Northerners, what do you love about the North? I want to know because I honestly LOVE your New York City. It’s one of my favorite places on earth.
When we moved north, all the adults were so impressed with my kids at how they always said "yes, ma'am and yes, sir" It didn't take long for them to lose it up there!! However, they picked it right back up when we moved south!! so happy about that!
But I must say that both places we have lived up north defy the "friendliness" subject. The people were very friendly and warm and we loved it!!
1. We get things done in a timely manner. I have been to the post office in TN and SC. It takes two days to buy stamps because everyone needs to discuss everyone else's life. We are a task oriented people. It's not that we don't care how your Mama is doing, it's just that there are 38 people behind you in line. It is considered rude to make them wait while I hear about Mama's hip replacement.
2. Northerners are real nice if they like you and ignore you if they don't. They are not fake nice if they don't. Prefacing something with "Bless your heart" is not an excuse to say something condescending.
3. We know how to make pizza correctly.
4. We ENUNCIATE the letter L. I am married to a boy from outside of Atlanta and he can not pronounce "Volvo" or "salsa" correctly.
I do love the South, I have family in TN, GA, and SC. I do prefer George Hazard to Orry Main though.
What I find hilarious is that EVERYTHING poured over rice or pasta is gravy. Brown pan drippings? Gravy. Marinara sauce? RED gravy. Or is that just a NOLA thing? They don't say red gravy in north LA so I don't know if that's truly Southern or just NOLA-weird.
The bacon grease cracks me up, because I just scraped some out of a pan the other day and lamented a little that I didn't have a container to put it in. 🙂
Oh I couldn't agree more. My parents are both from NY but I was born right here in the south, BIG state of Texas. When I talk to my family up North, they sound so funny and vise versa for me. And yes bacon and gravy are just staples. You need them on everything. One thing I love is how our Southern men shake hands when we meet and us gals just give a big hug. Up north, ummm not so much, a fake kiss on each cheek. OK can you tell I'm proud to be a Southerner!?
OK, I will bite too. I'm an Illinois girl. I don't put gravy (white or brown) on anything but my girls love Ranch dressing and Honey Mustard so maybe that is our "gravy". My kids have never said ma'am or sir but are polite. I'll give you the sweet tea kudos – I LOVE sweet tea!
I have to agree with the other Northerner. I takes FOREVER to get anything in the South. It doesn't matter what it is. I can feel myself growing old just standing in line. I think we just live in a faster pace. Get there, get what you need and get out.
All that to say, I love the South as much as the North! We are all just different people and I love it :}
My bacon grease has a dedicated piece of Pyrex that sits in the back of the fridge. Lord help the person that tries to use it for anything else.
I would like to add Sweet Tea to your list and a big amen to everything else on the list.
What do I love about the North? Bagels. There. I said it. I still love my biscuits, but cinnamon raisin bagels….yummm!
When we moved north, all the adults were so impressed with my kids at how they always said "yes, ma'am and yes, sir" It didn't take long for them to lose it up there!! However, they picked it right back up when we moved south!! so happy about that!
But I must say that both places we have lived up north defy the "friendliness" subject. The people were very friendly and warm and we loved it!!
OK . . . This Chicago Girl will bite. 🙂
1. We get things done in a timely manner. I have been to the post office in TN and SC. It takes two days to buy stamps because everyone needs to discuss everyone else's life. We are a task oriented people. It's not that we don't care how your Mama is doing, it's just that there are 38 people behind you in line. It is considered rude to make them wait while I hear about Mama's hip replacement.
2. Northerners are real nice if they like you and ignore you if they don't. They are not fake nice if they don't. Prefacing something with "Bless your heart" is not an excuse to say something condescending.
3. We know how to make pizza correctly.
4. We ENUNCIATE the letter L. I am married to a boy from outside of Atlanta and he can not pronounce "Volvo" or "salsa" correctly.
I do love the South, I have family in TN, GA, and SC. I do prefer George Hazard to Orry Main though.
Love this post!
What I find hilarious is that EVERYTHING poured over rice or pasta is gravy. Brown pan drippings? Gravy. Marinara sauce? RED gravy. Or is that just a NOLA thing? They don't say red gravy in north LA so I don't know if that's truly Southern or just NOLA-weird.
The bacon grease cracks me up, because I just scraped some out of a pan the other day and lamented a little that I didn't have a container to put it in. 🙂
Oh I couldn't agree more. My parents are both from NY but I was born right here in the south, BIG state of Texas. When I talk to my family up North, they sound so funny and vise versa for me. And yes bacon and gravy are just staples. You need them on everything. One thing I love is how our Southern men shake hands when we meet and us gals just give a big hug. Up north, ummm not so much, a fake kiss on each cheek. OK can you tell I'm proud to be a Southerner!?
OK, I will bite too. I'm an Illinois girl. I don't put gravy (white or brown) on anything but my girls love Ranch dressing and Honey Mustard so maybe that is our "gravy". My kids have never said ma'am or sir but are polite. I'll give you the sweet tea kudos – I LOVE sweet tea!
I have to agree with the other Northerner. I takes FOREVER to get anything in the South. It doesn't matter what it is. I can feel myself growing old just standing in line. I think we just live in a faster pace. Get there, get what you need and get out.
All that to say, I love the South as much as the North! We are all just different people and I love it :}
Agreed. What a fun post!
Well, I'm midwestern north and I'm pretty sure we're the nicest people ever. Ever.
I've never been further south than Missouri…sad.
I had no idea people saved bacon grease. Wowzers.