Hospitality Management Schools

The South has taken a beating from the rest of the country since the conclusion of the Civil War. Not only was the recovery long and arduous, but the region has also taken a psychological thrashing that has included scathing stereotypes perpetuated by outsiders who are unfamiliar with its culture. True Southerners, however, pay little mind to those who besmirch their home and heritage. Their love for all things Southern is undying – it has been instilled from generation to generation – and they wouldn’t change their lifestyle for anything in the world. If you’re a true Southerner, you likely possess most of the characteristics, habits, hobbies, preferences and beliefs listed below.

1. You speak like you’ve never left the South
   Your accent is thick and twang is sharp. You speak slower than your Yankee friends. And when you leave the region, heads immediately turn when you speak up. Your accent combined with your liberal usage of Southern sayings like “that dog won’t hunt” and “fixin’ to go” gives people the impression that you’re speaking an entirely different language.
2. You’d rather be hunting or fishing right now
   Southern men enjoy spending their free time hunting and fishing – it has long been a favorite pastime of the region. Previous generations had an intimate knowledge of the land, utilizing its natural resources. Each state is adorned with an abundance of rivers, lakes, creeks and forests that supply endless amounts of fish and game. If you’re from the South, chances are, you’ve fried catfish and cooked venison that you caught on your own.
3. If it’s below 60 degrees outside, you think it’s cold
   You dust off the winter coat when temperatures dip below 60 degrees, especially if you live in states in the Deep South like Mississippi and Louisiana, where the average yearly temperature is well above the national average. And if there’s even a half-inch of snow, your entire town shuts down as if the End Times are upon us.
4. Sweet tea accompanies every meal
   When you ask for tea at a restaurant in the South, it always comes back sweet. If you want unsweet tea, it must be requested, but your Southern-ness may be called into question. Sweet tea accompanies almost every meal – it’s excellent with a couple of pieces of fried chicken and tater salad. A sweaty pitcher filled with ice, a couple of lemons and sugary tea is a staple of every Southern dinner table.
5. You don’t hesitate to befriend strangers
   You’re a promoter of Southern Hospitality. You strike up conversations with random people and they instantly become your friends. You wave to passersby who you’ve never seen before and welcome new neighbors into your home as if they were a part of your family.
6. You think manners are important
   You’ve always addressed men as “sir” and women as “ma’am.” You say “please” and “thank you” often. You use proper etiquette at the dinner table regardless of where you’re eating. You dress nicely when you’re in the presence of others. If you’re a guy, you always hold doors open for Southern belles and stand when they leave the room.
7. You attend church religiously
   And if you didn’t, your pastor and family would think you’ve lost your mind. Your community is heavily influenced by the local church, which is likely Southern Baptist. After all, the South is a part of the Bible Belt, and religion plays a big role in the daily lives of Southerners. You believe in family values and raise your children in a socially conservative environment.
8. Your great-grandparents were Democrats and you’re a Republican
   From the Civil War era to the mid-20th century, the Southern states voted Democratic because the party was the defender of states’ rights. As the parties realigned and the Republican Party began to represent the fiscal and social conservatism, the South became entirely red. Resultantly, families that had voted Democratic for generations started to vote Republican. If you’re great-grandfather was a Democrat and you’re a Republican, but your ideologies are essentially the same, you’re a true Southerner.
9. You think it was a War of Northern Aggression
   You’re adamant that the Civil War was a War of Northern Aggression and it was fought over states’ rights. Your great-great-great-grandfather dreaded the prospect of an expanded federal government, and you hold the same believes today regarding the current government. You despise William Tecumseh Sherman and cringe every time you hear his name.
10. You have a lingering hatred for Yankees
    Sure, you may have no direct descendants who fought in the war – you may even be just a third generation American – but your hatred for the destruction and lifestyle changes caused by those damn Yankees still burns your hide. Although you welcome them to visit, you wish they’d stop moving to the region.