Hey y’all! (Yes, I do say that seriously, all the time.) I’m Nicole, a born-and-bred Pennsylvanian who came down south for college and, besides spending an unfortunate year in the frozen tundra people call Boston, never left. I may always be a “Damn Yankee” to some people, but I like to think I’ve acclimated fairly successfully down here. Even my family has admitted that I was born on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line!

I enjoy Southern history, manners, culture, architecture, cocktails, weather, people, and lifestyle. What’s not to love? Well, before you pack your bags and join me down south, I have a few words of advice that I wish I’d been given.

Here’s your Converted Yankee’s Guide to Dixie Survival, darlin’.

1. Saying hello to strangers
If someone says hello, they’re not trying to rob you. There are no ulterior motives. People are simply friendlier down here; you’ll learn to appreciate strangers waving and striking up conversation, and you’ll learn to do the same. I know you don’t believe me now, but check back in with me in a year!

2. Ma’am & Sir
Saying ma’am/sir is not condescending. I know, you’d never say it… just wait. I’ve had it slip out more than once lately! I once stayed with a sweet friend in Atlanta who chastises her dog by telling her “no ma’am.”

3. Bless Your Heart
The South has some dangerous things – a few species of wild animals and a poorly-concocted mason jar of moonshine among them- but watch out for “bless your heart.” This will occasionally reflect genuine empathy, but more often than not is a polite iteration of a four-letter word in relation to whoever’s heart is being blessed at the moment.

4. Sweet Tea
Speaking of saccharine things, sweet tea is a staple here. As you would expect water to be at your table at a restaurant, expect restaurants, barbecues, and front porches to serve up a cool glass of sweet tea. Not iced, darlin. SWEET. One taste and you’ll fill your sugar quota for the month, but folks ‘round here can’t get enough.

5. Tailgating and the NFL
May I suggest picking up a copy of Dixieland Delight by Clay Travis, who travels to all SEC stadiums in one football season and shares some hilarity. Not until you are told that you need an entire cooler for yourself and the starting tailgate time is 7 a.m. (no matter the kickoff time), though, do you truly understand southern tailgating. And just to be clear, nobody cares about the NFL here, much less the NBA or (bless your heart) the NHL. A few people enjoy baseball, but unless you’re debating high school recruits and college rivalries… well, just keep sipping that drink.

6. Southern Vocabulary
There are some words and phrases with which you need to familiarize yourself. “I’m fixin’ to buy a new light bulb…” means that I’ll go and buy a new light bulb whenever I go to the store next to stockpile tailgate supplies. A “buggy” is a shopping cart. To “cut the lights” means to turn them off. “Do what” means pardon me. The first time I heard this, I responded with a blank stare. “I didn’t say to do anything!” I exclaimed. Don’t bother.

7. Weather
Ah, the weather. It’s something we all talk about, no matter where your roots lie, but get excited if you move down south. With three inches of snow, cities shut down completely. Many people don’t own shovels, plows are few and far between, and my roommate from North Carolina once got into an accident because she slammed on the brakes but could not stop causing a rear-end crash. (She didn’t make it past the end of our street, bless her heart.)

You can drive in the snow, sure, but folks ‘round here can’t, so do yourself a favor and enjoy the day(s) off. In fact, the University of Georgia had a day off last week and not a single flurry fell. I’d be lying if I said this was the first time this happened. But if you really need to be on the road and an unfortunate accident occurred, you can check the website here for more information and contact your auto insurance provider immediately.

However if the accident is due to DUI, hiring the best DUI attorney from a legal firm like Leppard Law firm can possibly help you avoid the penalties and convictions by getting a DUI dismissed or reduced to a reckless driving. One of my friends also got into serious trouble recently and needed some help with a DWI and owi lawyer, so I sent them the link to this very well trusted DWI attorney who operates in NJ (which is where he lives). I knew they were good and that showed in just how well they did for my friend, so if you need assistance with a DWI case then they are a great choice. Here’s a guide on how to get a car accident report in massachusetts.

According to dui law, driving while under the influence is a serious offense. It can lead to you losing your driving privileges, and possibly getting jail time, and it may even trickle down to other aspects of your life, such as your chances of employment. Although you cannot completely evade the law, Las Vegas DUI attorneys; Tingey Law Firm can potentially lessen the negative consequences for you.

8. Honking
Finally, I’ll give y’all a little heads up on something that’s quite frowned upon down here when overused: your car horn. It’s the only area of life in which I’m liberal, let’s be honest. The light turned green a half-second ago? Honk. You’re turning right too slowly? Beep beep. The light turned green two seconds ago? Oh Lord, BEEEEP. Up north, this is normal- I know. But I’ve been chastised more than once for my overuse of those innocent taps on the horn. In fact, my dear Atlanta friend once sat through an entire green light, patiently waiting, because the person in front of her wasn’t paying attention. True story. I’m not advocating this level of sainthood, but try holding off for a second or two before you hit that beloved horn. It all ties back into manners, and avoiding things that will caused your sweet heart to be blessed.

While Pennsylvania will always have a piece of my heart — and Lord knows my honking habits and sarcasm will always be with me — I have found my little slice of heaven in the South.

I have no plans to ever abandon my beloved adopted home.

Nicole Stephens was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, attended college in Virginia, and left her heart in her home of four years, North Carolina. She is currently earning her Masters in Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Georgia. When she’s not working or in class, you’ll either find her training for her first half marathon or post-brunch playing cornhole, wearing a sundress and pearls. Follow her on Twitter @MadrasAndPearls

 

Upon occasion, there comes a time when I leave the cozy nest I made for myself in Atlanta and venture out of the South. Born and raised in Atlanta, I’ve grown accustomed to the way we do life down here. What’s the old saying? American by birth, Southern by the grace of God. I have traveled frequently in my 26 years of living, yet every time I go beyond the borders of our beloved South, I am reminded what it is about this great place I love so much. Along with my marketing cohort and the editor of this blog, Lauren Patrick, we traveled north to D.C. for work this week. I even voluntarily came up a little earlier to make my rounds to the sights. After six days far away from home, I was eagerly awaiting my flight back to Atlanta at Gate 15 in the Ronald Reagan National Airport when I penned this post.

What is it about the South I missed so much while I was gone? Glad you asked.

1. Sweet Tea
Ah, sweet tea – the champagne of the South. I put this first because it might just be the most important thing on my list. I am an individual who does not enjoy the taste of coffee, has never taken a sip of an energy drink, and gets sick of water after two bottles. I was lucky enough to find a Chick-Fil-A on Monday morning and ordered a giant glass of it, but I didn’t have any sweet tea other than that while I was there. I might need to get an IV of it put in once the wheels hit the ground in Atlanta.

2. Y’all
Why is it that everyone looks at me funny for saying that word? I suppose there is really no way of saying it without my Southern accent. Maybe it’s the tell tale sign that I’m not from ‘round these parts. Either way, I’m pretty sure the word is frowned upon up North. Here is a list of other things Southerners say that get us a few raised eyebrows too.

3. Warm Weather
Yes, I know, Atlanta wasn’t exactly warm this week with its three false alarm snow days. I get it, but hear me out, church. I was wearing my stilettos, a dress, and a jacket without a hood when the snow came pouring down in DC on Saturday. I’m talking snowflakes the size of my palm. After walking in the mess (you try hoofin’ it in snow and ice wearing heals and get back to me), I will gladly welcome what is sure to be our hot and muggy summer with open arms.

4. My Car
It seems like every major Northern city boasts of its great subway system and DC is no exception. I can see the appeal of not having to sit in rush hour traffic or deal with the hassle of parking, but I’m going to have to say I still prefer my car. The crowded Metro filled to the brim with a variety of people quickly became unappealing after being pushed and shoved, not to mention having to sit next to an individual who could’ve used a good long bath. I miss the personal space that comes along with driving a car, especially a Revology Mustang GT, not to mention control over my travel. Late trains and delays are far from convenient – especially when you’re on your way to the airport.

5. Manners
Y’all. This one about sent me over the edge. I do not (nor will I ever) understand what it is about being polite that is so difficult for some people. If you’re like me, you were raised in a household where manners were nonnegotiable and their absence would result in a stern talkin’ to from Momma. It’s just common decency to your fellow man. I realized that I finally had enough just a few moments ago when a passenger needed to get around another at the gate. Missing the opportunity to be polite, he was rude instead: “Uh, are you just going to stand in the way or are you going to move?” I couldn’t help it, y’all. My tolerance level after six days up here had reached its max and the words seemed to just blurt out:

I’m sorry, but I think an ‘excuse me’ would have worked just fine.”

The fool looked at me blankly and boarded the very plane I’m on. I can guarantee you he’s not headed home to the South and can only hope his stay in Atlanta is a short one, bless his little heart.

Not to say that I did not enjoy my time in DC. I was fortunate enough to see the Swiss National Symphony perform at the Kennedy Center. I stood in the same room as some of the greatest artistic masterpieces this world has ever seen at the National Gallery of Art. I had wonderfully pleasant meetings with clients and industry partners. All things I would not have been able to do had I not left the South. But as I look out of the window of my plane, I can’t help but to look forward to coming home.

Kelli Eidson is a true Southern girl hailing from Kennesaw, Ga. She’s an avid reader, cardigan aficionado and Braves fanatic. Y’all can follow her on Twitter, and on Instagram.