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A Quick Lesson in "Southern" from a Transplanted Foreigner:

•1. There is never a need to raise your voice here; nobody else does.

•2. S L O W down your tempo; no one else is in any hurry.

•3. "We'll get to it, when we get to it", means just that. It may be tomorrow or next week, or even next month...

•4. Borrow a second name; as in Peggy-Sue, Billy-Mae, Mary-Anne... You get the picture... No one has only one name here, except for Bubba.

•5. Never use cuss words here! If you want to be "ugly" you can just use the Southern: "Bless his little heart, he just can't help himself, can he?" Believe me, that's enough of an insult! I know it seems innocuous enough to a Northerner, but take my word for it, that's how it's done here!

•6. "Dear Lord, Sweet Jesus!" replaces any other expletive when something really BIG happens.

•7. If someone bakes you a pie, go ahead and eat it; it's not laced with anything and the person bringing it to you doesn't expect any favors in return.

•8. Don't worry about locking your doors! If you leave your home unlocked the worst that can happen is your neighbor may come in and bring you a pie...

•9. Kids address their elders with Miss or Mister, as in Mr. Bob, Miss Kelly, etc. You don't have to be old to qualify for being "an elder", anyone over twenty something qualifies.

•10. Just ignore the confederate flag! And please, no arguments about who won the war!

•11. When you're in a foreign country it helps to know a few words in their language to show appreciation for the culture. When in France you should at least know: "Bonjour, Ca Va?" In the South you can just make frequent use of "Ya'll", "ain't" and "fixin'..." As in "ya'll ain't from around here. I'm fixin' to go."

•12. When in the South, smile ya'll! Ain't no need to be in any hurry! Ya'll have a seat on this rockin' chair yonder and have another sip of this fine lemonade! I'm fixin' to learn ya'll some Southern!

Mirela Monte, Your Southern Translator Join The Optimist Group!

Posted by Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte on 08/26/2008 04:08 PM

Comments (30)

a quick lesson in southern from a transplanted foreigner, mirela monte your southern translator, optimist, charleston sc, myrtle beach sc

Originally posted at: Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela : A Quick Lesson in "Southern" from a Transplanted Foreigner:

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30 Comments on A Quick Lesson in "Southern" from a Transplanted Foreigner:

AUG

2008

Mirela, the southern way of life, what can you say, it's great.

Gary: Yes, it is Gary, yes it is!

How did ya'll like my Southern?

Mirela Lou...that was splendid...and I will remember to use my inside voice! Good post for local flavor of the Beach! Visited there a few years back and you nailed it. Highway to the place makes you wonder if you are on the right road...and then pow! Lots of activity!

Andrew: English is my second language. When I arrived in the United States at the age of 15, after having had several years of English lessons, I refused to attend ESL (English As A Second Language) classes, claiming that I was fluent in English. My high school counselor rewarded my refusal with sticking me in the Shakespeare Study class. That threw me for a loop...

The second such language "curve ball" was when I moved to the South from the West Coast...

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I enjoyed writing it! I have to confess that I had to consult my significant other, who was born and bred in the South.

I don't know how long you've been working in these parts but you've got my clients pegged, Great post Mirela...

I love the South....

Paul: Thank you very much!

Rich: So do I! It's really easy down here. Everyone is so-o-o NICE and the weather is wonderful. Just stay away from the fried okra; it's addictive and not too good for your arteries or your waistline...

Mirela, I love that little "Bless his little heart" line! I have learned some of the southern ways but I have to admit that I have a long way to go having been raised in and lived most of my life in NY. One small benefit is that my mom was raised in New Orleans and had some impact on us that way. More than likely I'll refer back here once in a while for some southern advice!!! Thank you Ma'am!

Miss Mirela- you nailed it. I also remember this other insult. I had a southern friend who refused to say anything awful about anyone. Whenever someone said something ridiculous, the worst she could muster was, "he means well." It was a very polite way of saying this person is voicing an opinion (ill-conceived as it may be).

Chuck: Great observation! That's how it works down here...

Sara: You obviously have it down pat! That "Thank you Ma'am!" did it!

I am a southern boy and use pretty much every one of those phrases in my everyday communication.

But the thing I love about this post is the extraordinary photography. That garden on the top right.

And in the South, in the deep South like SC and GA, rocking chairs on large porches rule.

Another great photo.

When do you write the post on spanish moss?

Richard

Richard: Thank you!

I don't know which post you mean. I wrote almost 400 of them...

Richard: The first two picture were taken at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston. The third picture is of the Custom House in Charleston, SC.

My son got married at Magnolia Planation. We usually have a yearly membership there.

I love Charleston! I have my second home there and spend quite a lot of time there (it's only two hours away from Myrtle Beach). I am expanding my firm there.

Here are some more pictures for you:

Some people never become Southerners. You have adapted well and can be called "a cousin" - aterm of endearment bestowed on adopted southerners

You forgot one thing "wave at everybody especially if you don't know them".

Spencer: That one I'm still having trouble with. See, I'm ALMOST there...

But as every good tutorial goes, I have to include it:

13. Wave at everybody especially if you don't know them.

AUG

2008

don't forget a favorite Southern expression..... "bless your heart"

and we mash the brakes to avoid a wreck! (and we mash the button to make the elevator go, too, haha)

Some how I cant see you slowing down enough to fit that southern life style! When my sister first moved to VA, It was Painful to go out and get a gallon of milk, and that was when I was in my 20's and I couldnt stand how sloooowwww it was!

AUG

2008

I love it here!

I didn't say I was slow! I just like everyone else not being in a hurry...

Types AAA personalities do very well here... Less competition from equally anal, hurried, stressed out types...

Try it again; you might like it now that you're not in your 20's!

AUG

2008

Robert: I have bought milk both below and above the Mason-Dixon line...I see no difference. If there is, please explain.

By the way....VA....not really a southern state these days.

Chris, Rob is from New Jersey. Anything south of there IS the South! Anything south of there is too slow.... Jersey is Fast, fast, fast!!!

I was just there last week...

Oh my goodness! It really gets under my kids' skin when I use the plural of y'all: all y'all. I am not even from the south, but my husband's family is southern. So, I have heard a lot of "looka here!"

SEP

2008

Not a big 'looka here' user...but y'all has always made sense to me. Even the French have tu and vous.

I use to date a Jersey Girl. Never noticed a real difference in speed...perhaps she was from South New Jersey (lol) but then again, maybe I'm more Northern Tennessee...who knows.

FYI: There are two distinct Southern dialects in the SE USA (Coastal and Highland). I have a slight Highland, but you travel to GA and maybe some parts of SC and you will hear 'coastal'.

EXAMPLES:

- Scuse me, M'am...could I get some sweet tea?(highland) * In highland areas, you have to ask for sweet tea as all restaurants have both sweetened or unsweetened (or unsweetened only)

- Honey, G'on gi ture daddy some iced tea! (coastal) **Notice 'sweet' is not specified as ALL tea is sweet in many coastal regions

Looka here: Next week's lesson will focus on Hush Puppies so y'all jot that down on your calendar, now!

Here's one more lesson (I can't sleep).

Pronunciation of cities in the South:

1. Lebanon, TN (Leb-a-nin) (Lebnin)

2. Cairo, GA (Kay-row)

3. Lafayette, TN (Le-fay-it)

4. Santa Fe, TN (Sanna Fee)

5. Myrtle Beach, SC (merdul beach) Example: I reckon I'll just head on down to merdul beach and see Mirela (or Miss Mirela when you are in a happy mood or being playful...or if Mirela is 90 years old in a nursing home)

Rome, GA is still Rome... Paris, TN is still Paris...London, KY is still London.

SEP

2008

Mirela Mae or Mirela Sue! Ya come back ya hear!

Mirela,

My best girlfriends are from the South and I know from first hand experience you are right on. Here's another translatio

1. Neckid as in you don't want to be caught neckid.

Ya'll learnin' me some Southern...

Susan and Chris Lambos: Perfect pronounciation!

SEP

2008

Forgot about neckid....in Nashville, it's about 40% neckid...60% naked. Back in the old days, it was like 70% neckid...30% naked.

Give it 10-20 more years, weez all naked down south!!! lol

Chris: LOL

That also was very funny!

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