People stereotype each other to feel like they understand how the world works. It’s comforting to believe you have everyone figured out, but many commonly held beliefs are flat-out wrong. Check out a few stereotypes about the South that are totally untrue, even though many people believe otherwise.
1. Everyone in the South loves country music.
Country music might be extra popular in the South, but that doesn’t mean everyone enjoys it. You’ll find music fans of every genre, no matter where you look. It all depends on the person you’re talking to.
2. Southerners all have the same accents.
People often can’t hear the difference between a North Carolina and a South Carolina accent. That’s fair, but you’ll know someone from New Orleans when you hear them! Louisiana began as a French colony, so it has its own charming flair.
3. Southern states are the only places in America where people can marry their cousins.
It often shocks people when they learn that 20 states — plus D.C.! — allow people to marry their cousins. They just can’t be your first cousins. Although, the same research shows six additional states allow that to happen in specific circumstances.
4. Old-fashioned slang is normal in southern states.
First of all, slang phrases appear everywhere. They’re in your texts, your favorite songs and even the latest novels. For some reason, people think Southerners only talk in older slang.
If you accidentally cut a Southerner off in traffic, they’re not going to yell, “What in tarnation?!” They might, however, shake their head and say, “Bless your heart.” (Translation: you couldn’t be smarter if you tried.)
5. People down there don’t get proper educations.
Southern states have some of the lowest-ranking public school systems, but also some of the best colleges (looking at you two, Duke and Vanderbilt). It isn’t impossible to get a good education in the South. It just depends on factors like where you live and how much money you can spend. You know, like the rest of the country.
6. Anyone who lives in the South is poor.
Poverty might come to mind when you think of the American South. Although people struggle to pay their bills anywhere, it’s true that southern states have higher poverty rates than many of those in the North or Midwest.
However, the southern states are only 2.3% behind the national average income of $67,521. That’s better than the Midwest, which is 3.6% behind that amount of income, according to the same research.
7. People who live in trailer parks are always in the South.
Movies and TV shows depicting the American South often show trailer parks. Many of the 20 million people who call trailer parks home live in southern states, but not all of them. Residential construction crews exist in the South too.
8. The American South is way more religious than anywhere else in the country.
Although 76% of Southerners are Christians, that isn’t as astounding as you might think. Experts estimate that 70% of Americans call themselves Christians no matter where they live. It may have to do with the religion comforting believers in global communities rather than belonging to a specific region.
9. Southerners eat chicken and gravy all the time.
If you haven’t tried fried chicken smothers in steaming gravy, you haven’t explored the culinary world very far. It’s a classic comfort meal, but that doesn’t mean it’s a staple food for Southerners. (You’re thinking about cornbread.)
10. People love the heat when they live in the South.
Summer is the perfect time to debut a new style and enjoy a dip in the pool. That’s about it. Southerners don’t love the heat just because it’s their typical climate. Remember, they’re also dealing with incredibly high humidity, so their average hot day feels like a steamy blanket.
11. Southerners are all against gun control.
Country songs frequently mention how Southerners love to shoot guns. Although that might be true for many people, 80% of registered voters support gun control measures in some way. That includes Southerners who own guns and even support the National Rifle Association.
12. All southern food is greasy.
This stereotype isn’t entirely wrong. Anyone who stops for a meal at a southern, family-owned diner will find plenty of fried menu options. However, Southerners appreciate healthy food like anyone else. You’ll just find local pecans or pickles on your salads.
13. No one in the South can drive in snow.
It’s easy to assume that Southerners can’t drive in snow because they deal with scorching temperatures all year round. However, the South is also home to the Appalachian Mountains. They get snow every year. The snowstorms just stay closer to the upper regions.
15. Southerners are all hardcore conservatives.
Past elections have traditionally resulted in red southern states, but that doesn’t guarantee the same results forever. Southern residents have been voting more liberal in recent years due to a variety of factors. As generations grow up, demographics shift and candidates change, any state can lean left or right in an election.
16. People in southern states prefer drinking whiskey.
You can’t get through many country songs without hearing about everyone drinking whiskey. You’ll find plenty of distilleries making the amber liquor throughout the South, but that’s not everyone’s drink of choice. Polls show that 43% of Southerners actually prefer beer.
17. Southerners all get married really young.
Starting a family is a traditional value many Southerners hold dear, but that’s not for everyone. It’s a stereotype with many potential truths behind it. Each marriage is different. Some people get accidentally pregnant during high school and prefer to get married. It can happen in any state.
18. Ask anyone in a southern state if they like tea and they’ll say yes.
If someone from the South asks you for a glass of tea, be careful with what you serve them. They’re most likely hoping for cold sweet tea with enough sugar in it to make your mouth pucker. The iced golden ichor from Cook Out is totally different from the hot tea people serve with brunch in tea houses.
Southerners are going to prefer iced sweet tea, because have you seen how hot it is outside? Save the steaming mug of tea for January, when it’s actually chilly in the South.
Enjoy this piece? Give it a like and follow PsychLove on MSN for more!
