Being a military brat I have had my fair share of moving and being out of place in a new city or town. But I think one of the biggest changes in my life has been moving from a small farm town in North Carolina to a large city in Wisconsin. At first, you have the normal displacement difficulties, pronouncing the city names, getting turned around, and the language among other things. But some of the things that I've experienced since coming up here have actually shocked me into thinking about what people from up North actually think of the South. My first week I actually had people ask me if there are some things that the South does that's true, and here I'm to debunk them.
Do You All Really Say Y'all And Honey?
We do have some common words that seem to roll off the tongue on a fairly regular basis. "Y'all," "sugar," "hun/honey," and "bless his/her heart" are among the many things that are said in the South that are said on a regular basis. And it's not something we're intentionally saying; it's automatic. This has become engrained into our culture that y'all becomes one of the many words you learn when you first start out.
Don't Call Me "Ma'am" Or "Sir".
We're not doing this to offend you or call you old. In the South, it is a sign of respect to call someone by "sir" or "ma'am". In fact, it's taught in schools, you have to say yes/no sir/ma'am to your teachers whenever you are asked to do something. The parents even expect their child to say it to them since it is a sign of respect for someone who is either older or superior to you in some way shape or form. There are some cases where the child has been punished or scolded for not saying "sir" or "ma'am." Just like "y'all" and "honey" it's become a way of life and just part of the culture, something that is expected of everyone.
Do You All Talk Funny?
I wouldn't call it anymore funnier than how people in the North talk. Yes, most people in the South have what's known as a Southern Drawl, but I wouldn't necessarily call it funny talking. I will admit there have been times where some people have such a drawl that they're hard to understand but after you have them repeat it slowly it'll come to you and you'll understand them after that.
Is It Coke Or Pepsi?
This is debated throughout the South. Pepsi-Cola was actually born in New Bern, North Carolina so many people go for Pepsi. However, the one drink that seems to be running through every vein of good Southern folks is sweet tea. Not just any sweet tea, the sweet tea that has 4-7 cups of sugar in it. If they go for a drink they will prefer to go for sweet tea to either Coke or Pepsi.
Are All Southern Folk Ignorant?
This is a very common misconception. People seem to think that people from the South are stupid and don't know their left from their right. This is predominantly false. Now I'm not saying that some people from the South don't do stupid things, but you'll find those people anywhere.
Are All Southern Folk Racist?
No! Not everyone in the South is a racist, and not everyone in the South is a part of the KKK. The South has a very troubled past and one that they're still paying for today, but not everyone in the South is racist. Those who are racist, however, tend to flock together and remain in one area.
Are The Southern Woman Sweet And Conservative?
This is a very common misconception about Southern women. Southern women are as strong and as independent as the men. They are not afraid to tell someone like it is, gossip about someone openly, will do things ourselves, and we will not let a man rule our lives. These women are police officers, teachers, lawyers, waitresses, writers, nuns, photographers, etc. We have burned those hoop skirts and have no plans on bringing them back. Think of Scarlet O'Hara from 'Gone with the Wind' and that is your Southern woman.
Since moving here to Wisconsin I've had a lot of people ask me various things about what's true and what's false about the South. We do not all live in trailer parks, we don't all drink moonshine like water, there are some that believe the South will rise again, the Confederate Flag is a religion, and we're not afraid to speak our minds. The South may or may not rise again but I do know one thing I like having my Southern accent, I like being different, and I'm not afraid or ashamed of where I come from. I have so many good friends, neighbors, and family from and who live in the South that I consider it home. Yes, I say "y'all" and "hun" but that's no different than someone up here saying "youse" or "aye." There are some differences that I'm getting used to but I'm sure over time, like "y'all" and "hun," they'll become second nature and I won't think anything of it.
