If you were raised by Southern parents, chances are you do a few things that totally confuse the rest of the world. From excessive politeness to love for casseroles and sweet tea, growing up in the South comes with some special peculiarities. What feels completely normal to you might leave others raising an eyebrow. Here are 13 things people raised in the South do that everyone else finds a little bit weird.
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Call everyone “ma’am” and “sir”
Yes, you do this even with people your own age. It’s how you were raised, but to anyone else, it sounds so formal or, worse, sarcastic.
Say “bless your heart”… with layers of meaning
Sometimes it’s meant with kindness; sometimes it’s meant as a threat. Southerners will know which one they’re using by context alone. Everyone else is completely lost.
Bring a casserole to every occasion
Funeral? Casserole. Wedding? Casserole. Dinner party? Casserole. Southern kids know early on in life that food equals to love.
Still say “yes ma’am” to their 70-year-old mom
No matter how old you get, the respect never stops. Even if you’ve got kids of your own, you’re still answering to Mama.
Keep a stash of “guest towels” that no one’s allowed to use
You were taught early that there are regular towels and there are fancy towels. You touch the fancy ones, you lose your fingers.
Call dinner “supper” and lunch “dinner”
This totally messes with people outside the South. Don’t be surprised if a Southern-raised friend invites you to “dinner” at noon.
Say goodbye 15 different ways before actually leaving
A Southern goodbye includes a front porch chat, a hug, a “we should do this again,” a “y’all be safe,” and at least one “now don’t be a stranger.” It takes at least an hour!
Use food as a form of apology, celebration, and conversation
Words are great and all, but when someone wants to say sorry, congratulations, or I’m glad to see you, they’ll show up with a plate of biscuits. If you can cook for someone, it’s love in Southern eyes.
Still get dressed up for church
Sunday service means button-downs, dresses, curled hair, and shining your shoes. Everyone dresses up even if it’s 90 degrees out.
Have strong opinions about iced tea
If it’s not sweet tea, is it even tea? Anyone who grew up with a Southern parent can instantly taste the difference between sweet and unsweet. And they’ll tell you.
Say “we’re fixin’ to” instead of “we’re about to”
“Fixin’ to” is a perfectly normal phrase down South. To everyone else, it sounds like a sentence that forgot how to finish.
Use titles like “Aunt,” “Uncle,” and “Cousin” with non-relatives
Miss Debbie from the church choir? Now she’s Aunt Debbie. Pretty much everyone around you growing up becomes family.
Apologize to strangers for things
They’ll say “Sorry!” every time someone bumps into them. Southern manners are that strong, sometimes they even apologize for existing.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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