If you were born and raised in the North—and I'm not talking about the Carolinas or West Virginia "North" here—then there are many aspects you need to consider. I'm talking about being questioned that you're from a different country like Africa or Australia when really, you've spent your life somewhere boring like New Hampshire or Vermont. Trust me, people down here don't realize how different their lifestyle actually is from ours. Not that this list covers everything, because it certainly does not. But prepare yourself for the new world you are about to enter into, black sheep.
1. Tailgating and dressing to the "Sundays Best" are in fact the real deal.
Yes. You see it on movies and old Southern films, but it does actually take place. Time to ditch the jeans and ripped up jersey you wore all in highschool, and pull out the fancy flats and dresses. Don't get me wrong, it's no tea party with white gloves and umbrella sized hates with frilly lace. But it definitely isn't what you would expect for a college football event. And yes—you will see a lot of the dress and cowgirl boots combo. It's inevitable where you are now located.
2. Politics.
Trust me. No one from the North will admit that they grew up not being ALL about the candidates and debates. But if we're being honest here, no one discusses politics like Southerners. They know everything about everybody, and us "Yankees" are no match. So just sit back, learn a little, and have an opinion on something that won't get you death stares for the rest of your life. And whatever you do, no matter what you think, ALWAYS say no to gun control. I promise you'll make five new friends with the simple statement.
3. Become familiar with your environment.
Yes, this sounds weird. And yes, you probably went on a college tour and saw all the gorgeous buildings on campus and what not. But I'm talking about food, places to go on a boring Wednesday night, all of it. A google search and trying new things at orientation won't hurt you. Trust me. You don't want to get the "You've never heard of that?! HOW do you LIVE up there?!" reaction every time your Southern friend mentions a place to eat.
4. Fair warning, you may think the lingo will be the same, but you are very wrong.
My friends from Tennessee talk to me every day, hours a day, and still catch me on phrases and words in every. single. conversation. For starters, DROP the "wicked" term. Immediately. And even if you refuse to say the dreaded term of "y'all" avoid saying 'you guys.' These are signs like a gun shot in a crowded room when people hear you say it.
5. Southern food is most definitely revolved around the term "fried."
So if you don't like fried chicken, I suggest you learn to like being around it, because every restaurant and fast food place is revolved around it. Hint: check out Chick-fil-A, Zaxbys, etc.
6. Not only Sundays best, but any other time casual.
Southern casual dress for school is much different then Northern. Guys wear shirts tucked in, khakis, boat shoes, everywhere. And girls take it from dresses and heels to Converse and a shirt large enough that it could vouge as a full outfit on its own. Shorts are questionable under every outfit, no matter the weather or occasion.
7. You think you'll avoid conversion, but you will never escape it.
Sure enough, before you know it, you'll return home calling sneakers tennis shoes, despite never picking up a tennis racket in your life. Or even say the most feared word of all, y'all. Avoid it at all costs. But it is a sure casualty to the new way you've decided to live.
