Why Do You Need Tips Before Your First Visit South?
There are some useful and helpful tips you need before your first visit to the South. Though we are the United States, as I learned there are some very unique differences between living in the North and living in the South. But don’t you worry, I’ve had experience living in both. And I’m going to help you learn them the tips you need.
Depending on where I am in the South, some people tell me I still have a Northern Accent. So, they ask me where I’m from. After I tell them I grew up in Ohio, I often add the following very true statement.
I’m Not From The South But I Got Here As Quickly As I Could!
I’m honestly not sure how it happened but I am a HUGE beach fan. It doesn’t take too long of a glance on my social media pages to see how much I love going to the beach. This is such a contrast from where I grew up.
Growing up in the frigid, cold and gray winters of Cleveland, Ohio I longed for warmer weather and sunny days. For people who grew up in Cleveland, you know that sunshine is a rare commodity from about October through March/April timeframe. During that time, you’re typically subjected to a long series of gray days.
For many reasons, I knew Ohio wasn’t going to be my final destination after graduating from high school. And now, almost 4 decades later, I consider myself a proud Southern woman. Specifically, a proud Florida woman. (Definitely not to be confused with Florida Man, lol).
Lessons In Southern English
Since I’m Black, I’m accustomed to the general use of the word y’all. In our family it was a term we used without a second thought. However, outside of Black households, it was generally considered an uneducated Southern thing.
In living in the South, I learned y’all is just one way to express the plural version of people. But in some places, it can be a bit more complicated. As you can see in these images, there’s a hierarchy to the term y’all based on how many people there are. Who knew?
Just when you thought you understood y’all, I had to throw a curve ball in there. An important tip before a visit South is understanding and appreciating the different dialects of the South.
Not everywhere in the South will you hear the word Y’aint. But if you do happen to hear it, now you’ll know what it means.
Directions Are Way Different In The South!
An important tip before a visit to the South is understanding that Southerners give directions WAY DIFFERENTLY than others. Let me tell you, Southerners will give you some of the most interesting and funny set of directions you ever will hear!
No Shortage of Churches
You never have to be at a loss of what church to attend in the South. They definitely don’t call it The Bible Belt for nothing!
So, here’s a tips before a first visit South, for some religion is there way of life for everything. Whereas some people might meet a new person and ask what high school they attended; it’s a little different in the South. They’re more likely to ask you the church you attend.
A Useful Tip When Visiting After Church In the South
Getting some good food after church is regular part of Sundays in The South. You can count on some good southern food like bacon, eggs, waffles, pancakes, sausage and grits.
Growing up in Cleveland, I was highly accustomed to eating good grits at home and at relatives’ houses. However, I wouldn’t necessarily order them at a restaurant because they’re still somewhat a foreign concept up North.
Not to mention, some people in the North eat their grits with, dare I say it? Sugar! Gasp! In the South, we don’t fool around with sugar in our grits. We know grits are not to be served Cream of Wheat style.
Also, I can typically get good grits at most restaurants here. Grits are truly one of my favorite comfort foods. So being able to easily get them in restaurants is one of my favorite things about living in the South.
A Tip About Wine Pairings When Visiting The South
While you may think about people drinking Moonshine while visiting The South for the first time, there’s more to it than that. To be sure, you can find some spots that likely sell Moonshine but let’s give The South some credit. We drink wine down here, too. It’s just our wine pairings are a little more relaxed and casual than what some may be used to.
I mean, who doesn’t like wine and brownies?!
More Useful Tips Before Your Visit South
If you’re looking for good restaurants and things to do while visiting in the South, especially Florida, check out my Reclaiming My Spirit blog. In this blog post I share a winery off the beaten path in a part of Florida you wouldn’t expect.
What Do You Think?
Drop me some comments and let me know what you think about my five useful tips before your first visit to the South.
Until next time,
Namaste,
Khadeeja
