I have never identified myself as a southern or northerner until I moved to Tennessee. I was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, but moved to South Carolina when I was two years old. When I turned eleven, I moved back up to MA and that was quite a culture shock for me in the middle of sixth grade. I guess my southern ways have been in my family and have impacted me, especially when living up north for eleven years. I moved to Tennessee a year ago in July and I would now say that I have more traits of a southern than that of a northerner. Here’s is a list of all the things I have experienced as a southerner living in the north, as well as a few things I miss culturally about New England.

1. The constant “oh my word, where are you from?” While they mimic your accent…

I just stare at them for an extended amount of time, till they feel slightly uncomfortable, then I tell them.

2. When someone asks “what’s like being from the South and what do people do down there? And you must like country music, right? ” Acting like it’s a foreign country to them.

I always want to respond with, "Yah, we just sit around and twiddle our thumbs all day and drink beer...” I only like old country music, not the stuff on the radio today.

3. When someone asks me where I’m from I try to tell them “Oh I’m from Boston or South Carolina."

This always results in me having to give my life story to the person asking. I honestly don’t mind telling most people.

4. Often when speaking to someone new I have had, on many occasions, had someone say to me “Yours accent's so weird."

I think to myself "And your accent sounds like all the New England states had an orgy and out popped your accent."

5. People assume southerners are super sweet and such amazing hospitality (and we do).

We are just like anyone else regardless of cultural location. It’s not an Andy Griffith marathon 24/7. Get a southerner mad, you are in for a world of crazy. My friends know firsthand. One moment my voice is very Bostonian and in the blink of an eye, I turn into a slightly more southern Aunt Bee when she was lecturing Andy.

6. Genuine manners.

I would walk around downtown Boston and no one would really hold the door for each other or just say "How are you doing today?" The old southern charm is really rarely found in the north.

7. I had a co-worker ask me the other day what clam chowder was.

That all I need to say about that and you’re missing out on some of the best fresh seafood that New England has to offer.

8. I have the patience of a northerner and I’m okay with that.

When I moved to TN, I instantly felt like time had slowed down a little. I sure do miss the constant get up and go attitude the North provided.

9. Yes, my two main words of greeting are now ya’ll and ma'am.

I’m not even aware sometimes that I’m using these words. When I lived up north I rarely used these words and when I did, people would say, “Who are you?”

10. Buggy or Cart, Jimmies or Sprinkles?

Buggy in the South and Grocery Cart in the north? I’m still calling it a buggy. What the heck is a Jimmie's and where does this word originate from?