It’s the land of cotton, slower paces, and southern belles. The South has to be the greatest place in the United States. Southerners are known for a variety of things from food to accents. Here are my 15 favorite’s things about the South:
1. Accents
All over the South, there are many varieties of accents but they all have something in common - they are slow and the words are drawn out. It is like molasses dripping in the middle of January.
2. Sweet Tea
This had to be one of the greatest parts of being southern. On hot summer days, drinking this beverage is a must. In most any home in the South, there is a pitcher of sweet tea in the refrigerator. And it has to be sweet (2 cups of sugar or more per gallon, and the sweeter the better). Every family has their own recipe and as children, it is one of the first things we learn how to make; it’s a tradition.
3. Food
If you have never had good southern food, you are missing out. Fried chicken and biscuits are heaven on a plate. The best food you will ever eat in the south is from your mama’s kitchen. My favorite southern food would have to be a warm homemade biscuit with molasses.
4. Slower Pace
Everything in the South is slower and more relaxed. If you want a faster pace, you are in the wrong place. We do things on our own time.
5. Southern Belles
From an early age, we are taught to be the perfect women. The South has been known for decades to have belles. Boys are taught to be gentlemen. The South is known for raising their children to be respectful, and it is a fine tradition.
6. Respect
As soon as we take our first breath, we are taught respect. In the South, respect is as important as football and sweet tea. From saying yes ma’am and yes sir to please and thank you, Southerners know to respect their elders and others. And we always offer you a glass of sweet tea when you stop by for a visit.
7. Sunsets
Have you ever seen a southern sunset? It is simply breathtaking. Just stop one day and watch one of these great masterpieces. You will be thankful.
8. Coke and Peanuts
When I was five, my grandma gave me a Coca-Cola in a glass bottle that had peanuts inside. I thought it was strange but after one taste, I was hooked. Sweet, salty and bubbly all in one. It’s one of the must haves for any hot summer day.
9. Country Music
From Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty to Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney, it is a lifeline. You won’t find many trucks or cars in the South that do not have country music playing.
10. Family
In the South, it is all about family. They might drive you crazy, but they will always have your back. Blood is thicker than anything, and family always comes first. We all have a least one crazy relative, but we don’t hide them; we brag about them.
11. Faith
Every Sunday is church day. You get dressed up, go worship Christ and come home to a feast that has been cooked for lunch. Everyone looks forward all week to this one day.
12. Football
Football season is like Christmas every day for months. You have your high school football on Friday nights, college football on Saturdays and the NFL on Sundays. I always countdown towards the start of each season and I mourn during the off-season. Whether you are pulling for Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss or UNC, you can believe there is going to be competitiveness.
13. Southern Phrases
Most people that talk to Southern folks leave the conversation asking, “What does ain’t mean? What are taters and maters? Have you ever heard of a hoedown?” In a sense, we have our own language. Droppin’ the ‘g’ in a word endin’ with ‘ing’ is common. From y’all to youngin’ we have a many different words and phrases. Phrases that are often heard are ones like “butter my butt and call me a biscuit”, “it’s a scorcher outside y’all”, and “bless your heart.”
14. NASCAR
February 26th is known as a holiday. It is the Daytona 500, and the start of the NASCAR racing season. Racing has deep roots in the South and over the past century, it has grown into one of America’s beloved sports. It all started with the prohibition of alcohol and the running of moonshine. That clear “country water” has been made in the South since the beginning and it is a staple. When February 26th arrives, you can bet I will be glued to the T.V. every Sunday.
15. History
The history of the south is as rich as sweet potato pie. From colonization to the Civil War to the Great Depression, the South has endured her share of happiness and heartache during these times. Most people can tell you when his or her family first came to settle below the Mason-Dixon line. My own family has been here since the colonization of Jamestown and has fought in every war this country has faced.
I am proud to be known a Southerner. My roots will always be in the South, and there is nowhere else on Earth that I would rather be. I will always want to be in the land of cotton, sipping sweet tea from a mason jar, watching Scarlet chase Ashley and eatin’ my mama’s cooking. Dixieland is my home forever.
