In your opinion, what makes someone a true southerner?
"The South: The place where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter, Summer starts in April, Macaroni and Cheese is a vegetable, front porches are wide and words are long, pecan pie is a staple, Y'all is the only proper noun, chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy, everything is darlin', and someone's heart is always being blessed.
"When life gives you lemons, put them in your sweet tea and thank God you're a Southern Belle."
I love being southern and I love being from Alabama, even though the dearest of friends can become intense rivals during football season. There is unspoken, yet very noticeable, tension from the beginning of the season until the infamous Iron Bowl is played. War Eagle! (Had to throw that in there...) And even then the tension continues as certain fans feel the need to brag about their team's victory. However, despite the intense football rivalry, which I believe is the best and worst in the nation, you will never find anyone more proud to live in their state than the residents of Sleepy Sweet Home Alabama, and last month's devastating storms proved that the great people of this state are more than willing to help others in times of trouble. As a proud Alabamian, one of my favorite things is telling someone I am from Birmingham, AL. "But you don't look like you're from Alabama!" is usually the response I get in return. To which I casually ask, "Is it because I'm wearing shoes and have all of my teeth?" :) All of this is to say: I wouldn't trade being southern for anything!
Also, as a self-confessed Southern Belle and from my many observations at the wonderful Auburn University, I find most of the following to be true:
A Southern Belle:
1. Keeps her lips sealed, but her eyes and ears wide open.
2. Knows the most important man to love, besides Jesus, is her daddy.
3. Knows rudeness and ignorance go hand in hand, and is never EITHER one.
4. Is born and raised at the local country club.
5. Has a family name, a string of pearls, momma's good looks, and daddy's money.
6. Acts helpless and confused when it's to her advantage; she never lets them know how clever/capable she really is.
7. Always sends thank you notes, a necessary component of being gracious.
8. Has a signature silver and Vera Bradley pattern.
9. Can properly plan/give a party, always includes a theme, and never forgets the importance of birthdays.
10. Monograms everything.
11. Can either be a Scarlet O'Hara type or a Melanie Wilkes type. Both are acceptable.
12. Doesn't get mad, but does get even.
13. Is a Jackie, not a Marilyn.
14. Deals with problems in a discreet and graceful manner.
15. Knows a wedding is the most important party that can ever be thrown.
16. Doesn't drink, but does sip (a lot), and never smokes.
17. Appreciates Sundays for church, porch swingin', and perfecting the art of sweet tea and fryin' things.
18. Knows nothing too easy or done too quickly can ever be right. It takes time to create perfection, whether it's sweet tea or her hair.
19. Knows REAL southern belles come from the REAL South, which is Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Just sayin' :)
20. Dresses like she may see her worst enemy or her ex-boyfriend. In which case, she kills them kindness.
21. Knows ballet class is the first place where a girl learns to sparkle.
22. Can charmingly tell someone off. When done correctly, people will be so charmed they will not realize until much later what was actually said.
23. Is always ready to share the news (but keeps the family secrets).
24. Is always ready to help and volunteer.
25. Never discusses money. It is awkward and inapporpriate.
26. Always dresses appropriately.
27. Showers others with affection and expects nothing in return.
28. Values antiques, time, chivalry, and family traditions over money.
29. Knows how to entertain and cook. She has a pitcher of iced tea and yummy sweets prepared for her family as well as unexpected guests.
30. Knows all the words to Lynrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama".
31. Is kind, considerate, educated, graceful, witty, charming, soft spoken, and above all, always a lady.
32. Believes manners are not optional.
33. Understands when someone dies, the first thing you do is start cooking for their relatives.
34. Believes if you can leave the house in less than 30 minutes, you probably shouldn't be leaving the house at all.
35. Closes the door to keep the mosquitoes out.
36. Asks for a "coke" but does not always mean a coca-cola.
37. Knows the art of dressing up on gameday.
38. LOVES SEC football.
39. Holds tradition close to her heart but does not allow it to define her.
40. Gets offended if you don't hear her accent.
41. Knows chivalry isn't really dead.
42. Wears flip-flops all year long.
43. Makes sure her neighbors never go hungry.
44. Never spits... anything.
45. Can wear pearls with every outfit.
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