Biscuits, Grits, and Gravy - Where the Waitress Calls You Baby

So, I’ve been living in North Carolina for about three months now, and I absolutely love it.  When I think about how some things are just different down here, this is what I came up with:

• I now know the difference between “y’all  and all ya’ll” and use them without even realizing it.
• I now “cut on” and “cut off” the lights, heat, air conditioning etc.  Things no longer get turned off or on.
• I also “collect up” papers, books, homework etc. rather than just “collecting” them.
• Helicopters flying overhead are no longer noticed.
• The boys will wear cowboy boots with anything – including basketball shorts.
• Everyone thinks I’m insane because I’ve never had colored greens…I’m still trying to figure out exactly why people eat these?
• People put the letter “R” into words that clearly don’t need them (i.e. “How ya dur’in?” for “How are you doing?”)
• Pop doesn’t exist – it is soda, and no one knows what in God’s name you are talking about if you say pop.
• College basketball reigns supreme
• What is unsweetened tea?
• Anyone that does anything stupid is automatically assumed to be a “damn Northerner.”
• Biscuits are every day all day…
• It’s always “yes/no , ma’am/sir”
• No matter where you go, there’s a good chance you’ll get called “baby” or “shug”….sometimes five times in less than a minute.
• The boys and anyone younger will always hold the door for you – hello chivalry – gotta say I love it!
• I realized that instead of saying, “what,” my students say, “ma’am?”
• The 1^st and 15^th of the month are hell because it’s military payday – steer clear of Wal Mart (I learned the hard way).
• The girls down here are a thousand times nicer.
• People don’t shake hands, but instead give hugs…I’ve had some awkward introductions because of this…
• I’m told a Southern mamma don’t leave her baby every time I say that I left home all alone and moved down here.
• “Bless your heart,” isn’t always as sweet as it sounds…
• Finding anything other than a Baptist church is like finding a needle in a Haystack….and Lord knows, everybody goes to church every Sunday.
• Southern accents are contagious.
• I think they only believe in white bread down here….and that’s only if they are out of biscuits!
• Students will skip school for Bojangles, the beach, and hunting.

I’m sure as soon as I post this, I will think of more, but each one of these puts a smile on my face, and I couldn't help but sharing!