Even as northerners, sometimes it is difficult to fight the urge to move below the Mason-Dixon Line. Is it so wrong that we want to experience southern culture as well? Here are 10 things that northerners envy about the South.
1. Country Music
At
the heart of the South is its very own genre of music. Step into any bar in the
South and you will most likely hear the sounds of a great country party
anthem—not the common pop and rap chart-toppers that are playing at bars in the
North. Better yet, live bands will often play in downtown “honky-tonks"
with the dreams of eventually making it in the major leagues of country music.
2. BBQs
BBQs
are a national tradition unlike any other, but it is something that the South
does better than anywhere else. The BBQ has its roots in the South, where
variations of the tradition have expanded. These differences between regions
also call for competitions over which style of BBQ is better, making the BBQ
something to both experience and taste.
3. College Football
Sure,
the North has some great teams when it comes to college football that draw
large crowds, but the culture of college football in the North does not compare
to how it is treated in the South. Everyone has their favorite team and they
often are more important than any major league team. Thousands of people
partake in tailgates before and join in every cheer during the game. College football is life in the South.
4. Sweet Tea
Sometimes
when I step into a restaurant, I wish that I did not have to specify whether I
would like my tea sweetened or not and then proceed to pour packs of sugar into
my drink when it still isn't right. When Southerners step into a restaurant, it
is assumed that they want their tea as sweet as can be and there is always the
perfect amount of sugar in the drink to satisfy the customer.
5. Mason Jars & Monograms
Two typically Southern things that are making their ways to the hearts of Northern do-it-yourselfers are mason jars and monograms. Mason jars are not just containers to hold homemade jam anymore and monograms are not just used as a signature. Now they are both used for decorative reasons, and with them they will always bring some Southern style to the user.6. Dressing Up
No matter where they are headed, Southerners always walk out their doors dressed to impress. Appearances are very important, and for that reason it is common for girls to wear pearls and sundresses to sporting events and for boys to actually know how to coordinate their colorful pants with their button-up shirt.
7. Manners 
From
a young age, children are taught the proper way to treat their family, friends
and even strangers kindly and with respect. As they grow up, these practices
are not abandoned, making the South a very welcoming and pleasant environment.
Parents are referred to as “Momma" and “Daddy," boys understand the art of
chivalry, “please" and “thank you" are never forgotten, and everyone knows that Southern
hospitality is very important.
8. Cowboy Boots & Hats
If anyone ever doubted that cowboy boots and hats could be spotted anywhere in the South, they were mistaken. Not only will you see them everywhere on the streets, but also in any downtown shopping center there is at least one store that holds racks upon racks of these items. Every Southerner owns a pair of cowboy boots that are worn on any occasion, and a cowboy hat is most likely on display somewhere in his/her house.
9. Hot Weather
In the North we appreciate the fact that all four season arrive in such splendor, but sometimes in the cold winter days we wish that we were down South where hardly any snow falls on the ground. Sure, we enjoy our snow days and winter pants, but I'm sure we would all enjoy a winter away from the below-freezing temperatures.
10. Southern Slang
Even those who have only lived in the South for a few months begin to pick up on the drawl that a good portion of the Southerners speak in, and they can usually understand the meanings of quirky phrases such as “busy as a stump-tailed cow in fly time" (aka, very busy). Slang words such as “how-do," “reckon," or “fixin' to" are a part of civilized Southern conversation, and the word “y'all" is always proper grammar.
