5 Lessons I've Learned From The South

Living in North Carolina, I consider myself a true Southerner. There are so many things I would say I learned simply from living in the South. Here are 5 life lessons I've learned from living in the South.

Mind Your Manners!

This is huge. You say "Yes ma'am" and "Yes sir". Always. I've heard it can be considered offensive if you say it in other places, but here in the South, it's offensive if you don't say it to your elders. "Please" and "Thank You" truly are magic words in the South. Goodness, those words right there could determine whether you got what you wanted or not. You always address someone older than you with proper respect. "Mr." and "Ms." are always used, unless they're close relatives. Minding your manners will get you very, very far in the South.

Writing Letters

Writing letters is, unfortunately, becoming a lost art. However, down here, you are still expected to write thank you notes. Say Aunt Margaret gave you a lovely ceramic mug. Saying the words, "Thank you very much" doesn't cut it. No sirree. You must, as soon as possible, write a sincere and heartfelt thank you note. Preferably the same day you receive the gift. Okay, so all the "rules" to thank you letters are different depending on where you live in the South, but hey, doesn't it feel nice to receive something in the mail with your name on it that's not junk mail?

Hospitality

This is one of my favorite things about the South. Hospitality is never lacking. As an extrovert myself, this is a wonderful thing. Never ending dinner at friends', having relatives spend the weekend at your house; it all sounds wonderful. We do not have any problem inviting you into our homes. Well, if it's clean of course. 

Food

Another thing that is never lacking is food. Every holiday, family get-together, church gathering, and all in between, there is always food. Seriously. I have never gone to anyone's house for a get-together without food. Food is not just sustenance, it is a lifestyle. Recently, I have started creating a cookbook for myself, including recipes from my mama and my nana (my mom's mom). It's already bulging, and I haven't even started on the desserts yet. I think I have three different recipes for chicken casserole, because one is just not enough. Don't even get me started on food at church... I think there is always food on hand. Hey, I am a Baptist.

A Good Cup of Coffee Goes Great with Jesus

I know, this isn't just a Southern thing. However, we are passionate about our Savior down here. The best devotionals I've had are early in the morning, outside on the porch, with my Bible, notebook, and a good cup of coffee. Obviously, not everyone is a Christian in the South. But goodness, you can't go two miles down the road without seeing a church. As I look at the beautiful sunrises, I often wonder how anyone could doubt the existence of an Almighty Creator. 

Comments

  1. I love this post so much, Caleigh!! Thanks for sharing. :)

    p.s. Do you plan on adding a "Followers" gadget to your sidebar? :D

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  2. Done and done! Thanks for reminding me, I'm still trying to get all this worked out, lol!

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    1. Awesome! You have your first follower. :)

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    2. Thanks so much, Ellie! Have I ever told you you're awesome? Lol

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  3. I love this post! Great job!
    ~SawyerMarie
    Sundropgirls.blogspot.com

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  4. Thank you, Sawyer! I'm so glad you've found my blog!

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  5. Hi! :D
    Fun post! I'm also from the South, (not North Carolina, though) and I agree with these ;D.

    ~R
    P.S.
    I'm curious, do you watch "It's a Southern Thing"? My sister and I enjoy watching their videos, and it sounds like you'd like them, too :D

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    1. Yes!! Oh my goodness I love those! They are the best! Thanks for coming on my blog, I believe we've chatted in the chat box on Andi's blog before! I'm so glad you're here!

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    2. Yeah, they're great!! ;D

      You're welcome, I love your blog! :D
      Yeah! :D I remember chatting with you! :D

      ~R

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  6. We do all these things up here where I live (okay, I do live near(ish) to a southern state, but....) I don't know--maybe we're just weird or something....

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    1. Lol yes! I think it depends on the state, and sometimes northern states can do some of these "southern" things too! Thanks for checking out the blog, Lilly!

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  7. Hi, Caleigh! I like your blog! I am also from NC (born and raised here for all 13 years of my life), but most of my family is from the north. :-) I use "Mr." and "Ms." and "excuse me," too, and most of the people I know around here do, too. We just moved to a more rural part of the state a few months ago, so we don't see as many churches, but the churches we do see are usually quite packed on Sundays (or they were before the pandemic). :-)
    -Hannah
    P.S. I think I might have chatted with you on Andi's blog before and I found your blog through Ellen's. ;-)

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    1. Hi Hannah! Thanks for stopping by! That's so cool you live in NC too! I love it here! I believe we may have chatted before! It's nice to talk to you again!
      ~Caleigh

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  8. Hi! Good job on your blog so far! (Found it through Ellen's.) This was an interesting post. I live all the way across the country from you and we are pretty lax with proper manners. I mean, we are still polite, but you rarely hear "yes ma'am" or "yes sir." Its cool to see how different traditions can be in the U.S.

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    1. That's really cool! I have never been "out west" before, so I really don't know the traditions over there! Thank you for commenting, Katelyn!

      P.S. Thanks for the compliment as well! :)

      ~Caleigh

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  9. Hi, Caleigh! I just found your blog! I really like it! It's awesome :)
    Caitlyn
    flightofthequill.blogspot.com

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