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Southern Hospitality

I could not imagine living anywhere other than the South. Yes people are not as congenial as they once were.

I feel this is directly related to the caution necessary in every day life. How do you tell your kids not to speak to strangers and expect to maintain southern hospitality. Also are we not encouraging the increase in crime? If we are all keeping to ourselves and keeping ourselves safe who is watching out for our neighbors? I feel that is why crime is increasing, the payout is easier.

I think we should all speak to strangers and teach our children to say a polite hello. We should stand up for what is right and not care if the old lady down the street is nosey.

These are our neighborhoods! This is the South. I hope ya'll have a great day I know I will!

Posted by Kathryn Mason on 11/12/2007 10:51 AM

Comments (10)

south, hospitality, traditional neighborhoods

This post has been included in Louisiana Information

10 Comments on Southern Hospitality

Southern hospitality- you're right. There's nothing like it. I am from Atlanta and certainly miss the southern hospitality.

11/12/2007 11:01 AM

by Bret and Meredith Amon (Ten Peaks Sotheby's International Realty)

Folks in the south are really friendly! You can meet as strangers and within a few minutes, become the best of friends.

Who Are They Waving At?

In the south, people like to wave. You may think the Southern Belles are practicing for the Miss America pageant. Nope, just being friendly. They wave hello, they wave goodbye, and they wave just to let you know that they saw you. Whether you are driving through downtown or down a long country road, if anyone passes you, you can bet they will give you a wave. It's just the friendly thing to do!

Small Talk

In maintaining their hospitable image, southerners love to chat. If you are running errands, make sure you allot yourself time for chit-chat. From the grocery store to the local café, you will find someone that wants to chat.

Passers-by will offer you a cheerful "Hey," that's southern talk for "Hello." You will probably hear the phrase, "Good day, ain't it?" numerous times. Just reply with a "hey" and a "Yep, sure ‘nuff is."

How's Your Mom and them?

When you are greeted with "How's your Mom and them?" this just means, "How's the family?" Just smile and say "They're all fine, just fine. Thanks for askin', and how's your mom and them?"

Y'all and Ain't

Y'all and Ain't are two words that a northerner wouldn't utter, but are commonly used by southerners. Y'all is used in reference to mean you all, everyone or every one of you. Ain't is that word that your English teacher said not to use, because it wasn't a word. Your English teacher apparently never wandered down to the south, because it sure is a word down there.

Phrases and Sayings

Some other words you should be prepared to hear include fixin', which means about to or getting ready to. As in, "I am fixin' to go to the store." "Young-uns" are small children; "reckon" means "I suppose so"; and "yonder" as in "Over yonder", which means "over there".

If you hear any other sayings with which you aren't familiar, just ask what it means. Remember, southerners are hospitable, they'll be glad to help you out. Just don't make fun of their accents or tell them how things are done up north. That just might cause the hospitality to come to an end.

11/12/2007 11:02 AM

by Paige

Here's a short sweet way to say it...

Manners are the outward and visible sign of an inward and justifiable aspiration. We mimic those whom we admire in hopes of achieving their station.

11/12/2007 11:11 AM

by Paige Rausch (Gulf Gateway Realty, Inc.)

Kathryn,

You know I use quite a few of the words Paige was throwing out there. I actually had another agent from my previous office tell me my first year in the business that I would never make it as a agent because I sounded like a dumb hillbilly (Kentuckian) 5 years later and guess who is still going strong and the other person who is not??? Southern charm and calling folks honey, I was taken out of the country but...country not taken out of me. I reckon that's the way it will always be for me! Loved the post. Makes me miss KY. (Down Home)

11/12/2007 11:21 AM

by Cindy Royster (RE/MAX 1st Realty)

We have a sudden surge of people from California buying in Louisiana. They are compeltely endeared to the area. Some of them are thinking of packing up and moving to Louisiana!! They still dont quite get the terminology sometimes. A could die laughing sometimes dealing with someone from a major metropolitan area up North.

11/12/2007 12:23 PM

by Kathryn Mason (Realty & Management Services, Inc.)

Hi Kathryn,

Welcome to Active Rain! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!

-Keith

11/12/2007 03:24 PM

by Keith Elliott Jr -"Prince William County Real Estate Expert" (RE/MAX Olympic Realty)

Welcome to ActiveRain, Kathryn! Very thought-provoking post; I especially like the sentiment of "There are our neighborhoods!" A message like that deserves to be heard over and over.

11/12/2007 04:12 PM

by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Kathryn, welcome to activerain and congratulations on your first post.

11/12/2007 06:18 PM

by David Matney, CRS - Omaha, NE Real Estate (Alliance Real Estate)

Thank you I have run across the site but never actually stopped to join. It is very interesting and seems to have alot of information. I have already wasted too much time. Wasted used loosely, of course. I have benefitted.

11/12/2007 06:31 PM

Hi Kathryn

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11/13/2007 03:20 AM

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