What exactly makes someone truly Southern? There’s not just one thing, as it’s a bunch of different habits and personality traits that make some a real Southerner. Today, we’re looking at 25 of them.
A Love for Sweet Tea
Down here, sweet tea is practically in our blood, and it’s much more than a drink. Any time you drop by a Southern home, you’re bound to be greeted with a glass of ice-cold sweet tea. It’s refreshing in all the right ways, and it’s how many Southerners welcome both friends and strangers alike.
Drinking Lemonade On Hot Days
If sweet tea isn’t your thing, and it really should be, then perhaps you’ll enjoy a glass of homemade lemonade when the sun’s going down. It’s the perfect refreshment for those hot days, and it’s another of those simple Southern things that make summer a little sweeter. A porch swing and a glass of lemonade on a cool summer night? That’s heaven right there.
Saying “Y’All”
Is there anything more Southern than saying “y’all?” It’s a friendly and inclusive way to talk to people that just rolls off the tongue much easier than “you all.” “Y’all” is the word that brings everyone together, no matter if you’re talking to a group of people at a BBQ or saying hello to people at church.
Southern Slang
But it’s not just “y’all,” as there’s plenty of other Southern slang that we use, like “bless your heart and “fixin’ to.” It’s practically a language all on its own, and these phrases are ones you’ll only understand if you’re from here. You’ll know you’re in the South when you hear a phrase that makes you question if it’s an insult or a compliment.
Southern Hospitality
In the South, hospitality is something that’s as important as breathing. Southerners pride themselves on making everyone feel at home, whether they’re neighbors or just passing through. You can expect warm welcomes and probably an invite to Sunday dinner because a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.
A Love for Country Music
Country music tells the story of people’s lives in the South in a way that’s got true heart and soul. These tales of heartache and songs of joy are part of the experiences and values of people down South. If you turn on the radio, you’re bound to hear something that’ll get your toes tapping or your heart aching.
Going to Church
For many Southerners, going to church is a key part of their community life. It’s where people catch up and support each other so they can really connect, all while feeling and worshipping the power of the Lord. In the South, their church family is just as important as their blood relatives.
A Passion for Barbecue
If there’s one thing that Southerners take seriously, it’s their barbecue. Every place in the South has its own twist on the perfect BBQ, whether it’s spicy dry rubs or sweet and sticky sauces. It doesn’t really matter which one is best because a real Southern barbecue is about slow cooking and eating quickly.
Loving College Football
When fall comes around, college football is practically a religion as Southerners tailgate and paint their faces like their lives depend on it. Forget about a simple game day because this is practically a season-long party. Hearing the roar of the stadium on a Saturday? That’s some pure Southern magic.
Biscuits & Gravy
In the South, biscuits and gravy are the go-to dish for every breakfast. Nothing beats those warm and buttery biscuits smothered in thick, peppery gravy. This tradition is something that’ll give a taste of comfort and home with every bite, making every morning better when they start with this dish.
Use of Sir and Ma’am
For most people, “Sir” and “ma’am” are just polite ways to speak, but not in the South. These words are a big part of our culture of respect, and you’ll hear them in almost any conversation. These words are small, yes, but they carry a lot of weight in showing just how much we care about each other.
Holding Doors Open
Similarly, we also show our respect for other people by holding the door open, no matter who you are or where you come from. It’s one of those habits that says a lot about the kind of people we are and how seriously we take our idea of community. Honestly, we can’t think of anything nicer.
A Fondness for Front Porches
Our front porches are at the center of pretty much every conversation, as they’re where life happens. It’s here that families unwind and friends gather as we share stories about our lives. There’s something about that place that just gets everyone to open up and makes it part of our home’s soul.
Dedicated to Family Reunions
Family is everything in the South, and reunions are big. We don’t just mean a little bit, we’re talking about dozens of cousins and heaps of food with stories that seem to get taller each other. These reunions give us the chance to reconnect with our loved ones while remembering where we came from. There’s nothing quite like it.
A Taste For Fried Foods
You can fry pretty much anything, and in the South, we probably will. Fried chicken? Easy. Fried green tomatoes? Simple. Fried butter? Even better. Fried food is crunchy and downright delicious in a way that other foods just can’t compare. There’s a reason why these fried treats are always at the top of the list of best comfort foods.
Overusing Decorations
Southerners go all out for every season and holiday, no matter what it is. When fall hits, you’ll see plenty of pumpkins and hay bales, while around Christmastime, it’s lights and wreaths everywhere. We love to transform our homes for each season by giving them their own flavor and flair.
Wearing Seeksucker
If you’re not from the South, you’ll probably have no idea what “seersucker” is. It’s practically the unofficial fabric of the Southern summer because it’s so light and breezy. When you wear it, you practically feel like you’re traveled back in time to the days of mint juleps and debutante balls. Plus, it just looks sharp.
Celebrating Mardi Gras
In most places in America, Mardi Gras is just a party, but not in the South. We think of it as a time of food, fun, and festivity, with the music blasting and beads flying. When you see people wearing those bright costumes and the parades rolling down the streets, you can practically taste the excitement in the air.
Cooking With Cast Iron
If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, are you even Southern? You can cook pretty much all of our favorite dishes in it, like cornbread and fried chicken, and it just makes all of our meals taste better. And the best ones were the ones you’d get from your parents, which felt like you were getting a piece of family history each time you cooked.
Enjoying Pecan Pie
Speaking of food, a slice of pecan pie is like a slice of the South itself, so it’s no surprise that it’s stape at any holiday meal or family gathering. It’s one of those desserts that gets passed around until everyone’s gone and nobody has just one piece. Can you blame them? There’s always room for a slice of that sweet and nutty pie.
Southern Storytelling
We’ve got a rich tradition of storytelling, and you can see that with famous Southern authors like William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, and Walker Percy. They’ve given us stories that are truly Southern and feel as lush as our own Southern landscapes. Whenever you read a Southern book, you get to experience our rich culture and history.
Creating Quilts
Quilting is a pretty serious tradition in the South, and it’s a time to pass down skills and patterns through the generations. Each blanket tells a story through the fabric and reminds us of our family history or important life events. It’s a way to keep our rich history alive, just one stitch at a time.
Sipping on Mint Juleps
Nothing says “Southern charm” quite like sipping on a mint julep on a warm day. It’s a classic Southern cocktail that you’ll see at practically every gathering, especially during the Kentucky Derby. To non-Southerners, it’s just a mix of bourbon, mint, sugar, and ice, but to Southerners, it’s a taste of elegance.
Annual Crawfish Boils
In places like Louisiana, crawfish boils are a huge deal, and they’re a time for good food and good family. You’ll see family and friends gathering together around tables filled with food like crawfish, potatoes, corn, sausages, and so much more. There’s no denying that it’s messy, but it’s also fun and deliciously Southern.
Hunting and Fishing
Speaking of fish, we take fishing and hunting quite seriously in the South, no matter what we’re eating. These activities give us a chance to spend some quality time in nature and pass down our outdoor skills to those younger than us. Most Southerners will plan their entire weekends around them.
