Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re posting from the hostess city of Savannah, Georgia. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the eleven shocks for travelers who visit the Southern United States .
Shock #1: Southern Hospitality
It’s not just a rumor; Southern hospitality is real. The people down South are friendly, helpful and will go out of their way to help you. You’ll also notice how well-mannered everyone is. You’ll hear a lot of “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am” and you’ll see that Southern culture is all about etiquette. Once you experience true Southern hospitality, you’ll want to start planning more vacations in the South.
Shock #2: Southern Accents Do Not Indicate Low Intelligence
There’s a stereotype that equates southern accents with stupidity, but that’s just not true. There is no correlation to education levels and accents, and you’ll find many smart people in the south who are highly educated. Like any other slice of America, you’ll find a wide range of people in the South, but don’t fall for this stereotype, it’s a Hollywood creation.
Shock #3: Southern Culture-“isms”
There are some very distinct “Southern-isms” you’ll notice when you visit the Southern United States. One thing you may hear is “Bless Your Heart” which isn’t as sweet as it sounds. It’s actually a Southern way of dismissing you for not knowing any better.
Shock #4: South USA Food
The food in the Deep South is amazing. Yes, they deep fry a lot of food and they may throw an extra stick of butter in everything, but it’s so worth it! The food in the South is the best cuisine in the United States. Some Southern culture food includes biscuits, fried chicken, collard greens, fried green tomatoes, sweet tea, pecan pie and shrimp and grits. Not all Southern food is the same – you have Cajun food in Louisiana, Soul Food, BBQ and so much more! Ask the locals what the regional specialty is.
Read: Five Things You Must Eat in Memphis
Shock #5: Portion Sizes of Food in the Southern States
You will be shocked at the portion sizes of meals in the Southern United States. It’s so easy to gain weight on your vacations in the South because the food is amazing and the portion sizes are huge. It’s also possible to share meals rather than ordering individual meals, because you will get so much food.
Shock #6: Driving in the South
There is no real public transportation in the South, so you’ll need to rent a car and drive. Driving in the South can be a little frustrating. Parking in the cities of the South can be challenging as well, especially in the historic city centers as there are no car parks or parking lots.
Shock #7: Religion in the Southern States
The Southern States of America seem to be more religious than areas in the North. They have amazing churches, and some of them are a unique aspect of Southern culture. If you have a chance to attend a gospel service, do it. In the South, people still dress up for church and place a lot of importance on attending church on Sundays.
Shock #8: SEC College Football
SEC college football is the true religion of the south. They love college football. You’ll see everyone sporting clothing and stickers from their favorite SEC team. If you visit the south in autumn, try to attend a college football game and see how they tailgate. It’s a unique slice of Southern culture.
Shock #9: Drinking in the South
Southern culture is all about having a good time, and that means you’ll find lots of drinking in the South. Whether it’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans or St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, you will be sure to have a good time in the South. Along with great food, Southern cities have their signature drinks. New Orleans has the hurricane, Chatham Artillery Punch in Savannah, and Kentucky has the Mint Julep. The liquor laws can be shocking. In some cities, like Savannah, New Orleans and Memphis, you can walk through the streets with an open drink, which is illegal in most places in the U.S. Conversely, you still have dry counties in the South, where no liquor is sold, ever.
Read: 21 Don’ts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Shock #10: The Weather
There’s a reason people retire to Southern States of America. The weather is great; winter are very mild, even warm. Snow and cold are very rare in the south, but the real shock of Southern weather is the humidity. The second you leave the airport, the humidity hits you, and it can be oppressive in the summer.
Shock #11: Southern Style & Southern Pride
People in the South take pride in their appearance. It’s a different way of life, and you won’t see as many people walking around in yoga pants or sweatpants. You might even see a seersucker suit and bowties around town. They also have immense pride in their communities and their home state. As a visitor, you can see this in the restoration and preservation of historic homes in places like Savannah and New Orleans.
We hope these eleven tips help you prepare to visit the Southern United States and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you been to the Southern States of America? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: