Yankee Girl Survives First Year at Southern University

[Sciencewoman]

My daughter comes home from her first year of college this weekend. These are the lessons she's learned after one year south of the Mason-Dixon line. Tongue-in-cheek, but all true:

1. All elders should be addressed as Ma'am and Sir. This is good, and she wishes everyone did this at home.
2. How to swing dance, thanks to a nice Lambda Chi Alpha who gave lessons to all the girls on her hall who had not *gasp* had this training in "cotillion."
3. What cotillion is.
4. What being a debutante involves. This is also good, and not to be scoffed at by ignorant northerners (thanks to her debutante roommate).
5. Sweet tea is good, and should be readily available in northern restaurants. Arnie Palmers are also good.
6. Joining a sorority really is one of the best things you can do in life.
7. You can never have too many sundresses.
8. Robert E. Lee had many admirable qualities, and so did/does his horse, Traveller.
9. Country music can become an acquired taste.
10. Warm weather trumps snow any day.
11. Northern girls really shouldn't wear cowboy boots. Some things just can't be pulled off.
12. "Y'all" will just sound awkward if you don't have the drawl.