While there are a lot of things that make the South a wonderful place to live, there are also some things about the region’s collective habits that outsiders might find — a bit odd. If you come from the South, or have spent any length of time there, you probably have begun to grasp that some of these typically ‘Southern’ things aren’t merely roundabout ways of doing things – they’re required. They’re how things work down here, and a large part of serving the Holy Trinity of Southern Virtues – respect, good humor, community. They might seem a bit eccentric, but to Southerners – they make sense.
Let me share with you 10 of my favorite classic Southern habits, the things that keep life down here bouncing to its own rhythm.
Featured Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Cooking With Cast Iron
Many Southerners pass down their cast iron pans across generations, along with tips for the best fried chicken, cornbread or hamburger skillets. A cast iron skillet even has to be seasoned after every use, and never washed with soap – a level of significance and reverence is given to the skillets, mirroring the respect showcased in the food.
Talking About the Weather…A Lot
Southern weather is always changing, whether the shift from a muggy morning to an afternoon thunderstorm, or areas of snow and ice appearing suddenly in middle spring. That’s part of the reason why Southerners love to talk about it. But conversation about the heat, humidity, or that snowstorm you never would have expected to come this time of year isn’t just idle chit chat.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Adding “A Little Extra” to Food and Drinks
There’s not much food ‘just enough’ in the South; if a pecan pie needs a splash of bourbon, or the biscuits a sprinkle of butter, it gets it. Why serve anything that isn’t comforting, memorable and, maybe, a bit decadent? This ‘a little extra’ habit smacks of Southern food ways: that plain food can get a slick of spice, a drizzle of honey, and a long moment on the stove that makes the whole endeavor feel like home.
Sweet Tea Is the Only Tea
Sweet tea in the South is more than just an extra-sugary drink. From picnics to pews to practically any Southern meal, this southern drink is almost always served to guests and is typically a staple at any family meal in the South.
Southerners believe if tea isn’t sweet, it isn’t right. And while some might find it too sugary, in the South, it’s the only way to go. Sweet tea is often made with a carefully brewed tea and plenty of sugar stirred in while it’s still warm. It’s served cold with plenty of ice, offering a refreshing and sweet counter to the warm Southern climate.
Calling Everyone “Ma’am” or “Sir”
The respectful and polite title ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’ is used in the South regardless of the person’s age. Many of us were taught to use the title when we were children. For me, it is deeply ingrained in the Southern traditions and mannerism. Even people who grew up in urban places are likely to add the ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’ after a person’s name. Some might consider that it is overly formal but it is part of the culture of the South that everyone should be treated with respect.
The Tradition of Potluck Dinners
The hospitality for which Southerners are renowned finds its clearest and sweetest expression in the event known as the potluck dinner – which is a gathering where each guest brings food for the occasion. The dishes brought reflect the love, tradition and specialty of each attendee.
Dressing Up for Church
Southerners often tell me that church, regardless of their personal feelings regarding institutional religion, is central to their lives; not just because it honors tradition, but because it is a reason to put on their ‘Sunday best’, and a weekly ritual. Families who worship together often gain a deep sense of togetherness when they put on their best clothes (that finely pressed suit or that brightly colored Sunday dress) for services.
Celebrating Mardi Gras
While Mardi Gras might be most popular in New Orleans, people in many small Southern towns have their own versions of this wild party – parades, music, costumes, families and friends gathering, celebrating – this is the Mardi Gras of the South. Want to see this wild gathering? Celebrate Mardi Gras! Go to New Orleans on Mardi Gras, or come to Louisiana – especially along the Gulf Coast – around Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is the spirit of the community; it is colorful, festive, and a holiday that gives everyone an opportunity for a wild carnival. It’s a break from everyday life, full of Southern hospitality.
Sunday Drives
A Sunday drive – whether it takes one through the countryside or into the mountains, along island roads and highways of pine trees or straight down South Carolina’s Low country to the marsh – is a Southern pastime. Many also use their Sunday drives to reconnect with family, or ponder the week that has just passed. It’s a quiet tradition, but it’s one many Southerners embrace.
Stopping for Funeral Processions
This lets the family of the person who’s dead know that they have Southern sympathies. When you stop, you don’t know who’s in the funeral car. The custom is about small courtesies extended to a grieving family.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
