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IN MY SOUTH…
IN MY SOUTH…
People just come right out with it. With an engaging smile.
We scratch when and where it itches.
A speed limit is a suggestion.
IN MY SOUTH…
Socrates (SEW-crates) and Socrates (SAH-cruh-tees) are the same person.
GO-eeth and Goethe (GER-tuh) are the same philosopher.
It’s pronounced WALL-mark—not WALL-mart. We don’t know why.
Arab (A-rabb) is a place and Arab (EH-rubb) is a person.
Geezers are sexy.
IN MY SOUTH…
Accumulating sounds more dignified than collecting or hoarding.
We pretty much want to be wherever we are—and don’t you rush it!
Dentists hand out lollipops.
IN MY SOUTH…
The second “t” in the word Contact is always silent.
We never, ever make Mama mad.
“How’s your mama ‘n ‘em?” is the kickstarter to a friendly and successful conversation.
IN MY SOUTH…
We respect women who spit and pick their teeth in public.
Spitting and picking your teeth in public is mandatory.
Chawing and kissing can go right together.
IN MY SOUTH…
You can wear a tie to go to lunch, but you have to leave your jacket at the office. White short-sleeved dress shirts are required.
You never allow guests to leave your home without escorting them to the car and chatting about this and that for another forty minutes.
Y’all is both singular and plural.
IN MY SOUTH…
Grits is a sacred food…and can be singular or plural. So there.
Grit is always true.
Ma’am and Sir are polite and gentle and respectful terms.
And so it goes. In my South, the only place I’ve ever lived, local folks and local customs and local habits continue to amaze me and make me feel right at home.
What would it be like to live anywhere else? Y’all tell me
Jim Reed © 2018 A.D.
http://www.jimreedbooks.com/podcast