Sometimes the south gets a bad reputation. People who have never been to the south think that it is all mud wrestling and ATVs and lots of camo. After living in the south for about 6 years and visiting places all around the south, I can easily say that it is one of the best pleaded to be.
1. Sweet Tea
The south is the only place where you could get sweet tea ANYWHERE. You can walk into any restaurant, grocery store or gas station and sweet tea will always be accessible. If you ask for sweet tea anywhere else in the United States, you will receive unsweetened tea and sugar packets. For those who are sweet tea enthusiasts like myself, that's not sweet tea. I want that ice cold, sugary sweet tea served with a lemon wedge and mint leaf, not Lipton iced tea with Splenda.
2. Southern Hospitality
When I lived in New York, not everyone was exactly a ray of sunshine. I mean, who would be on a gloomy day in the city. In the south, you are always greeted with a smile and a "good morning ma'am" or "good afternoon, y'all." You are always treated like family even if you had met the person only moments ago. After 10 minutes of talking you will also know this person just moved in with their granddaddy and loves horseback riding and is going on a vacation to Florida soon. People are always open and willing to talk and are always a shoulder to cry on. When you're in the south, you're family.
3. Lilly Pulitzer
If you live in the south, you own a Lilly Pulitzer dress. You can't miss the bright colors and creative patterns of a Lilly Pulitzer piece. Owning something by Lilly Pulitzer is a MUST in the south, it's hard to just walk into a store and not come out with hundreds of dollars worth of dresses, rompers and shorts. Even if you think it's too flashy or just not your style, once you try it on, you're in love.
4. College Football
Southerners take college football to a whole new level. With teams like Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and Alabama Crimson Tide, it is hard not to be an intense fan. College football games in the south are quite unforgettable. Everyone is painted head to toe in their favorite teams' colors, intense tailgating, and packed stadiums are just some of the things to expect when walking into a college football game in the south.
5. Rich History
The south is known for its historic cities and rich culture, but you can never truly imagine the beauty until you have been to these cities. Places like Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans truly take your breath away. Seeing brick buildings with the chimney smoke stains and the uneven cobblestone sidewalks is not something you see in your everyday cityscape. The charm of a little southern town will always take your breath away.
