~The Southern Style and Some Lessons Learned~

This weekend was the first pre-season Panthers football game and as I walked out of my apartment on Saturday night heading to meet up with some friends, all decked out in my cute going-out attire of white ripped jeans and pointy heels, I was mobbed by thousands of fans screaming as they poured out of the stadium which is convenient located only a couple blocks from my apartment. 

(literally, four blocks)

Don't get me wrong, I was excited that they beat the Giants (or was I? I'm not really sure where my loyalty lies on the football field to be honest...but Jeremy Shockey lives in my apartment *SPOTTED TODAY*)... but this was one of those pinch yourself moments when you feel like you are the oil and they are water (sorry for the retarded metaphor but it's late on a Sunday night and that's the best I could come up with). At least I was wearing a blue top, which warranted a couple of cat calls as I clomped by with Longchamp purse and bright red lipstick.

This got me thinking about the differences between here and other cities I have spent time in. There is a lot to learn with the change of cultures so I have decided to share some of my small examples that might illustrate the difficulties I have had getting used to the south. It also might give you some knowledge so that when you get here, you don't look like a FOOL to those around you (...and I quote the woman at CVS, "ya'all -speaking to me only- aren't from 'round here, are yuh?" No. I'm not. thanks for making me feel like I'm fitting in swimmingly.)

Lessons for today:

1) Nouns vs. verbs: very big difference here. For example, I told people that we should BBQ at my pool soon, and I was immediately corrected that BBQ was a specific meat, i.e. roast pork. (...what the...???) If you want to talk about the activitiy, you are either 'grilling' or having a 'cookout'. Allright lesson learned. will never drop the barbecue ball again.

 

2) USC vs. USC: another shocker was when i saw huge USC signs.Not what I was used to after spending four years booing as loud as I could every time I saw or heard anything mentioned about the Southern Californian Trojans and hating the school as much as I hate loud chewers. Now when I hear USC, I have to remember that it is referring to the University of South Carolina, and I probably should not boo it too loudly because one of my bosses, or their kids, or their uncles nephews is probably a senior there right now. Seriously. Everyone knows everyone here. 

3) Lingo: The last thing I have realized is that I have to specify with everyone exactly what they mean since apparently I do not really understand the way they talk. On Wednesday I asked my friend Nick if we were going to meet at yoga and he wrote back 'yeah, its fine, i don't care to pick you up'. In my mind, I thought, well that was rude, he could have just said 'yeah let's meet there' instead of making a big stink and saying he really didn't even want to drive me anyways. It wasn't like I had even asked for a ride. He called me on Wednesday asking where I was and when I told him with attitude "I'm on my BIKE on my way to YOGA", his reply was "why don't you read my emails? I told you I was going to pick you up!"- apparently in the south, 'I don't care to..." translates to "It wouldn't be out of my way to..." slash "I would love to come be your chauffeur for the evening". Again, this will take time...


...On that note, I'm sure I will have more good stories and lessons for everyone in the near future but until the next entry (get excited, NASCAR history coming soon....), have a good week!