If you're from New York, there's a pretty good chance you've heard "ohh, you're from New York" at least once in your life. It goes without saying that people from New York are a different breed of human beings compared to the rest of America. And why? We're from the greatest place there is, that's why. Don't bother trying to argue this fact, it won't end well for you.
After living in Georgia for the past 8 years, I have found out that living here can take some adjusting. Being a New Yorker seems so foreign to people down here. With that being said, I've accumulated a list of thoughts and opinions I've had while living here.
1. You guys are all freakishly nice. It's honestly gotten to the point where it's made me uncomfortable. Small talk? That's so unheard of, we don't even like making eye contact with strangers. You are also guaranteed to have at least one person grin at you and ask you how you are. It's strange. Now this isn't a bad thing at all but doesn't it get exhausting? I mean really, do you ever NOT want to talk to someone?
2. Why does everyone walk so slow? If I had a nickel for every time I stepped on the back of someone's shoe because they were walking so slow, I'd be rich.
3. There is no need to ever call me ma'am. Seriously, don't call me ma'am. I'm nineteen years old, why are you calling me that? Also, not everyone was raised in the south so don't proceed to lecture me when I tell you I wasn't taught to say ma'am/sir.
4. Why is game day basically a holiday? Let me tell you, college sports up north is nothing like game day in the south. Everywhere has a hidden scent of beer and there is tailgating EVERYWHERE. Oh and if you live in Georgia don't you dare show allegiance to any other college football team, especially Florida.
5. This. Is. Not. Snow. Want to know the best way to clear out shelves in a grocery store? Snow. You will send any southern city into panic. The snowpocalypse is coming, even when it's less than an inch of snow. Georgia seriously needs to invest in road salt but I'll enjoy the snow days so carry on.
6. I don't have an accent. Any New Yorker will protest against the fact that we don't have an accent - even though "root" and "route" sound like the same word when you talk. If you're like me, you've learned to tone it down unless you're with your fellow northerners.
7. Y'all is not a word. Stop. You guys..... "y'all" is not a word, please stop saying it. How can you guys mutter those words without being disgusted? I guess I'll never understand this and that is perfectly okay with me.
8. Please stop calling me a "Yankee." I personally find this very annoying to hear. A yankee is a player for the best baseball team there is, not a proper term to call my northern self.
I genuinely do appreciate what the south has to offer but my heart will forever have a New York state of mind. It's definitely a culture shock, but you'll eventually try to adjust the best you can. Like John Steinbeck said, "once you have lived in New York and made it your home, no place else is good enough."
