Question for the Southerners!

PenguinTrax · #1 08-02-2006, 01:47 PM

Savannah 'society' is very close knit and hard to get into. If that is the arena into which you want to be accepted, you'll probably need to work hard in 'acceptable' charity organizations (think Jr. League), etc. and have some connections.

If you are just looking to move down there, meet folks and have a good time, then there are plenty of ways to accomplish that.

shinerbock · #2 08-02-2006, 02:16 PM

Are you renting or buying?

Scandia · #3 08-02-2006, 02:44 PM

I moved to northern Florida from a US territory.

Though my accent does stand out, I was welcomed by most people.

The only xenophobic/ethnically prejudiced (not exactly racist) comments I have ever gotten were from someone who ironically was NOT from the USA. She may have been a US citizen by then, but she was not born an American citizen like I was.

When I went to Savannah to see it with my grandmother 6 years ago, I do not remember anything negative happening. Everyone was friendly just like people in the South have been friendly to me in general.

shinerbock · #4 08-02-2006, 02:56 PM

Well, there is a difference between being greeted kindly, and being accepted into savannah high society. You won't be shunned, so don't worry about that. However, if you're interested in becoming a socialite, you'll need a lot of contacts, involvement, a historic district or Skidaway Island home, and a serious commitment of time.

valkyrie · #5 08-02-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scandia

When I went to Savannah to see it with my grandmother 6 years ago, I do not remember anything negative happening. Everyone was friendly just like people in the South have been friendly to me in general.

My understanding is that, in general, southerners will NEVER be rude or say anything negative. To your face.

33girl · #6 08-02-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

My understanding is that, in general, southerners will NEVER be rude or say anything negative. To your face.

Bless their hearts.

Scandia · #7 08-02-2006, 04:11 PM

I was told indeed by a Pennsylvania native who has lived in the South for a while that the stereotypical Southern Belle IS very prim and proper, but can be two faced.

I may not fit the stereotype. But after 11 years living in the South, I do consider myself to be a Southerner. And it has been relevant when I travel to other parts of the country.

greekalum · #8 08-02-2006, 04:23 PM

There are plenty of transplants in Savannah; it's a fun place to live. My family's there but it is not like the society stuff is the only stuff to do there. I imagine most of the new people don't even know they're missing anything.

FirstAndFinest · #9 08-06-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Bless their hearts.

hehehehe
Having lived in Nashville, with an Atlanta-born stepmother, I know what that expression means! hehehehehehe

FSUZeta · #10 08-06-2006, 02:44 PM

another great grocery store(upscale) in the south is "fresh market". great meats, veggies , bakery and deli. gourmet dry goods. a delight to shop at during the non-season-but overrun with snowbirds during season-30 minute wait to be waited on to buy some chicken breasts!!

AXO Alum · #11 08-23-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Bless their hearts.

That is the official Southern excuse to talk about any & every body... period. We say "And that poor Amy... bless her heart... she just can't help that she sleeps with anything coming and going & her poor husband is the sweetest thang" (this type of thing usually heard whispered in an appropriately louder than whisper tone at church, in which said whisperer has had personal intimate knowledge of said "poor" husband).

See - you just gotta know how to use it the right way, and you are clearly not gossiping - more like, trying to help the poor girl in question by making her business known to women who maybe need to put a tighter leash on their own husbands

And for the record - valkyrie, I love you & would pray that you NOT punch me in the face - but I do use two terms for referring to Northerners... one is not offensive at all - Yankee - as in a recent conversation I had in Chicago in which another Southern sister asked me why they did not put ice in her coke at the restaurant... I replied "because they are Yankees and they don't put ice in their drinks like we do" - thus, a completely neutral statement on my part with no offense intended (and the Yankee sisters sitting with us took no offense).

Now - if I want to offend you, then you are a damn Yankee - usually reserved only for people who push my buttons enough to warrant the term

Of course I am also the one that sat in a graduate research class & debated why Florida is a state of southern direction, but is absolutely NOT a Southern state.

AlphaFrog · #12 08-23-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXO Alum

That is the official Southern excuse to talk about any & every body... period. We say "And that poor Amy... bless her heart... she just can't help that she sleeps with anything coming and going & her poor husband is the sweetest thang" (this type of thing usually heard whispered in an appropriately louder than whisper tone at church, in which said whisperer has had personal intimate knowledge of said "poor" husband).

See - you just gotta know how to use it the right way, and you are clearly not gossiping - more like, trying to help the poor girl in question by making her business known to women who maybe need to put a tighter leash on their own husbands

Our pastor talked about this in church a few weeks ago. 8th commandment and all (he's working on a 10 Commandment series). Said southerners think they can say anything about anyone, as long as it's followed with "Bless their hearts".

valkyrie · #13 08-23-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXO Alum

And for the record - valkyrie, I love you & would pray that you NOT punch me in the face - but I do use two terms for referring to Northerners... one is not offensive at all - Yankee - as in a recent conversation I had in Chicago in which another Southern sister asked me why they did not put ice in her coke at the restaurant... I replied "because they are Yankees and they don't put ice in their drinks like we do" - thus, a completely neutral statement on my part with no offense intended (and the Yankee sisters sitting with us took no offense).

See, and I'm sure this is because I grew up where nobody uses the word "yankee" -- I hate it because the only thing I think of when I hear "yankee" is the stupid ass baseball team, which I hate with every fiber of my being. LOL.

xo_kathy · #14 08-23-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXO Alum

a recent conversation I had in Chicago in which another Southern sister asked me why they did not put ice in her coke at the restaurant... I replied "because they are Yankees and they don't put ice in their drinks like we do"

I grew up in Michigan and now live in NY. Every restaurant I've ever been to they put ice in your drink.

scbelle · #15 08-23-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXO Alum

Of course I am also the one that sat in a graduate research class & debated why Florida is a state of southern direction, but is absolutely NOT a Southern state.

Hallelujah, praise the Lord! I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this...