From The Southern Girl Who Doesn't 'Get' Southern Culture
Start writing a post
Travel

Born, Raised And Living In The South, But Never A 'True' Southerner

The cover photo is a picture of me milking a fake cow at Mayfield — the most/only "Southern" picture I have.

Claudia Crowe
Aug 15, 2018
University of South Carolina
174
Milking a cow
assets.rbl.ms

I grew up way below the Mason-Dixon line and my family on both sides are from very small towns in South Carolina. I've lived in the suburbs outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and in the rural town of York, South Carolina. Now, I attend the University of South Carolina where Southern culture is still heavily present, despite living in the state's capital and a metropolitan area.

My family drinks sweet tea, goes hunting and says "y'all." Actually, my family never said "y'all" until moving back to South Carolina. I used to pick up a Southern twang every summer when I visited family in York that my friends in Buford, Georgia, loved to hear.

Yet, I don't define myself as a "Georgia peach" or a Southern belle.

I'm not truly immersed in Southern culture nor do I completely understand it.

1. Country Music

It makes me cringe. I never spent time listening to it and I have never liked it. I don't enjoy the slow beats and the heavy country accents. Beer is gross and my idea of a good time is not standing in a field drinking beer. I can't relate to the lyrics.

2. Monograms

I don't understand why girls feel the need to put their initials on everything they own. Are they planning to lose it? Moreover, why is the last name in the middle? It's totally out of order. It's practical to put on luggage, but not the whole backside of a T-shirt.

3. Cowboy Boots

They look extremely uncomfortable and are not the prettiest to look at no matter how they are customized. They were designed for riding horses, not to tailgate in while paired with a cute dress.

4. Southern Sayings That Mean The Total Opposite

"Bless your heart" does not actually mean someone is blessing your heart. Southerners truly know how to deliver a backhanded compliment and how to be spiteful while still acting sweet. They, additionally, love to call someone or something "different" when they don't agree with it or find it bizarre.

5. Small Towns

Everyone knows everything, meaning everyone knows exactly what you and your family members are up to at all times. You're known by who you are related to and vice-versa. You will always be so-and-so's child or so-and-so's grandchild or even so-and-so's distance cousin twice removed. And you're judged by your family members' actions, as well. You're stuck with the same people you grew up with and don't get to experience much outside of your hometown.

6. Southern Cooking

It can be yummy, but casseroles that can be served for every meal of the day? Really? Hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, breakfast casserole, sweet potato casserole… the options are endless. It's not very exciting to attend a potluck where each person has brought a variation of a casserole, even for dessert.

7. The Confederate Flag

I never want to flaunt a flag from a war that was lost and for a confederacy that was never achieved or recognized. Not to mention, it is very controversial and is offensive to some groups of people.

8. NASCAR

Racing sounds cool and exciting, but driving in a circle for hours straight does not. And for those who love it, they say the most interesting part is the crashes — which is only a hazard of the so-called sport.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
travel
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
278850
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
78524
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
143998
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
48169
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma
978300
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
family and friends

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments