Southern Heritage vs. Southern Mannerisms - My take as a born and raised Southerner...

[Ghost in the Machine]

I won't profess to know much about Southern Heritage, as I don't really follow along with it. I've heard all the "The South Shall Rise Again!" and stuff, but never understood it as much more than rising from the ashes to rebuild. I have never owned, nor flown, a "Southern" Flag. I salute the AMERICAN FLAG...

As for Southern Mannerisms, I was taught to be a "Southern Gentleman" where the rules are pretty much simple and should apply to EVERYONE:

We respect our parents and our elders, period. They could be dead wrong about something, but we don't argue the point with them, we just nod in agreement, then talk amongst ourselves later on about how they are wrong and chalk it up to their age and upbringing. I have a few exceptions to that myself, though. I won't tolerate racism or gay bashing with a simple nod of agreement, especially when it comes to the ones who believe people CHOOSE to be gay. I'll ALWAYS tell them that people are born that way, and can't help who they are attracted to, then ask "*WHEN* did *you* *CHOOSE* to be straight?"

You don't cuss in front of a LADY! Granted, we have different definitions of a LADY and a WOMAN. A LADY is more conservative, doesn't cuss, drink or smoke, goes to church and is pretty much prim and proper. Then we have our WOMEN: Redneck girls, cowgirls, biker chicks and barflies that cuss and carry on enough to make a Sailor blush.

We say "Yes Ma'am & Yes Sir" to our elders, as well as people younger than us who are working with the public, be it a restaurant server or cashier, or other worker, at a store.

We hold the door to a building open for someone else behind us, allowing them to enter, or exit, first. Doesn't matter if they are elderly, female, male, younger, black, white, green, yellow or purple.

We leave space in line coming up to a red light on a major thoroughfare for a vehicle trying to pull out of a business onto the road in question. We wave & nod at friends, and strangers, that we pass on back roads, even people sitting on their porches (though I found out in Miami that just waving at someone can get you shot at, or tried to be run off the road).

We help our friends and neighbors whenever possible. A couple of weeks ago, I was trying to put a new belt on my mower deck by myself. My neighbor saw me and came over and helped me. Thursday I was cutting my lawn and knew the same neighbor's mower was broken, so I cut his lawn, too. We also help out complete strangers, whether it be monetary donations, clothes, furniture or whatever if they just lost everything to a fire or storm. We also help people broken down on the side of the road, even if it's just to stop and see if they are ok, need a phone to call someone, need a jack, a ride to a gas station or whatever we can do (even though doing so got me car-jacked, pistol-whipped and left for dead out in the middle of the Everglades in Homestead, FL. It took me a long time to build up the trust to stop and help someone again).

I remember several years ago, while signing my son up to play little league football, there was a boy there who didn't have the required $35 to pay. He only had $20, that he had earned on his own. The Coach was telling him "I'm sorry son, but the rules are the rules". I had just gotten my backpay from Disability, and I pulled out the money and gave it to the coach and told the boy to keep his money that he earned. About 15 minutes before practice was over, I went to the store to buy my son and the other boy a cold drink, as I had already made arrangements to give the boy a ride home, too. While at the store, I decided to buy a $2 scratch-off lottery ticket... and WON $500!!! Talk about karma working fast! I ended up buying two 5 gallon water coolers for the team too, because they didn't even have one to begin with. Every day on the way to practice, I would stop and buy ice and fill the coolers up. The boy still keeps in touch with me to this day.

EDITED TO ADD: I open the car door for women, even though 3/4ths of the time I get looked at like I'm some kind of alien or something. I even had one woman tell me "You don't have to do that, I can open a door myself!"

That is what the South means to me: helping people when you can, being polite and respectful to people, regardless of age, skin color, sexual orientation or anything else. It isn't my place to judge anyone, but I do. Not based on skin color, sexual orientation, age, gender or anything else. I judge people by the content of their character and how they conduct themselves.

IMHO. *THAT* is how it should be EVERYWHERE!

Peace,

Ghost

[frustrated_lefty]

2. A point of contentiom

I applaud your sense of mannerisms, so please accept this point of contention as a point of contention and nothing more.

You wrote: "I have a few exceptions to that myself, though. I won't tolerate racism or gay bashing with a simple nod of agreement, especially when it comes to the ones who believe people CHOOSE to be gay. I'll ALWAYS tell them that people are born that way, and can't help who they are attracted to, then ask "*WHEN* did *you* *CHOOSE* to be straight?"

I don't disagree with you, but I'm curious. You have hard rules, and that's fine, but how often have they been challenged? In the despicable South, as it would be portrayed, how often have you been challenged or contested with regard to your sexual preference? You imply difficulty.

I guess I'm asking "were you accepted?"

[Ghost in the Machine]

3. Oh, I am straight.. but as for the rest of your question...

I have had a few hard headed knuckle-draggers still disagree, but for the most part, many see the point when I ask "*WHY* would someone *CHOOSE* to be gay, knowing the persecution, the threats, the violence and even death that can befall them just for being gay??"

Even though I am a self described Atheist, I play the "God Card" on them here in the bible belt. I'll ask them "So, are you saying that god isn't perfect, that he made a mistake, when he made people black, gay, Jewish... or whatever the case may be. That usually gets them a little rattled up.

I am an imposing figure at 6'3", 215 lbs, hair halfway down my back, beard, moustache and covered in tattoos. I'm an ex biker from a well known 1%'er MC gang. I owned a restaurant back in 2006-2007 and had a few "cowboys" come in one night after a rodeo show in town. My server was taking the orders from 2 high school aged black guys and their girlfriends. They played on the local high school team and were regulars at my place. The "cowboys" started making derogatory comments towards the two couples, and telling my server to get away from those "N-words" and come take *their* orders!

I had heard enough, and came out from behind the counter and told the "cowboys" that "The ONLY people not getting served tonight is YOU! You have 1 minute to get the f**k out of here or I'll remove you the hard way.. and btw, 30 seconds is already gone!" Then my "Brother" came out of the back... he's 6'9" and 375 lbs and tattooed from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. I swaer they left a smoke trail running out the door! I'll NEVER forget that night as long as I live!

Peace,

Ghost

[Lochloosa]

4. Did we have the same Mom?

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. I doubt it, but could be from the same family lol. My mom is the oldest of 10 kids..

My grandfather's brother had 7 boys, and grandmother's brother had 9 kids...

Peace,

Ghost

[LuvNewcastle]

5. The South was better before it

became so politicized by Fox News and others. People weren't so angry all the time and they weren't so obsessed with gay people, black people, Hispanics, and whoever. People talked about the past more, and it was interesting.

There are some places in rural areas and some cities where I really don't feel comfortable these days. In the old days, people would give you a look of appraisal, but they weren't nasty to you if they didn't particularly like what they saw. We've moved from Faulkner's South to the Wal-Mart Fox News South, and I don't even recognize it anymore.

[Ghost in the Machine]

7. I hear you... I was born in Miami, and lived there until I was 12 1/2, then we moved to a tiny town

in N.C. for 6 months, then to Chattanooga, Tn on my 13th birthday. We stayed in Chatt for about 6 months, then moved to a tiny town about 50 miles North, to be closer to my dad's work. I moved back to Miami a week after I graduated!

From Kindergarten to 7th grade in Miami, I had friends who were black, Cuban, Mexican, Jamaican, etc., and never even dawned on me about different cultures/ethnicities, we were just kids hanging out as friends...

Peace,

Ghost

[aikoaiko]

9. Miami? You're no born and raised Southerner.

The South ends at Jax, Ocala, and Talkahasee.

[Ghost in the Machine]

11. My family were transplants from Dalton, Ga... everything I was taught was what they learned there

during their upbringing

Peace,

Ghost

[aikoaiko]

12. I'll give you the raised Southern part.

Mostly I'm just kidding.

My wife was born in Macon but lived in Savannah since 3. To this day she says she's from Macon because it is not right to say she's from Savannah. I love that about Southerners.

I also tease when I say that if you go south far enough in Florida you end up in the north. A city with a deli like Wolfies is more NYC than Southern.


Peace

[Fawke Em]

27. 50 miles north of Chattanooga is just outside of Knoxville.

What tiny town?

(I'm in Knoxville, btw)

[Ghost in the Machine]

39. I'm 50 miles North of Chattanooga, 45 miles South of Knoxville...

I'm in Ten Mile, about 5 miles from Watts Bar Dam & Nuclear Plant... Meigs County... or as they call it here.. Meth County!

Neighbor! My "Brother" owns Mountain Tattoo and Oddities Shop on Alcoa Hwy, just a few miles from UT Medical Center...

Peace,

Ghost

[Not Sure]

8. I grew up in Texas, and I don't remember anyone presenting these rules of behavior

but as I grew up, I adopted each one you described as it was demonstrated by the adults around me. Now this code of conduct, this lifestyle of friendliness and courtesy, governs what I do and how I behave toward others. It's especially enjoyable that I have a wife and daughters, because I get to behave this way all the time and be their Southern Gentleman. It doesn't hurt that my wife is a true graceful Southern woman with a healthy dash of Texan thrown in for good measure.

I think most of the people I know want to behave this way and want to treat others with kindness. When the s hits the fan, they often do. But those who derive their entertainment or sadly their information from the purveyors of hate on the tv and radio are often loathe to trust their own nature and instead are conditioned to distrust and dislike what is portrayed as other. This is why everyone seemed to be on the same page in the wake of 911 but within days of news/opinion/brainwash overload the mistrust took hold again.

[Ghost in the Machine]

24. I don't reckon they're really "rules of behavior" per se, but it is how I was taught and raised by

my family, who grew up rooted in the deep south in North Georgia. My grandmother was also a full blooded Cherokee, so maybe that had something to do with it, too... I really don't know. All of this was instilled in me from a very young age and, like you, I also learned from watching the other members of my family... from the ones who migrated to Miami from Georgia, to the ones that still lived in Georgia that we visited several times per year.

Hatred is a product that destroys the vessel in which it is contained. The brainwashed idiots don't know any better because they don't *WANT TO LEARN* any better, IMHO.

Peace,

Ghost

[dem in texas]

38. I grew in Texas and learned all these good manner from my mother.

Please, thank you, your welcome, Yes Mam. no Mam, Yes Sir, No Sir. Never address an adult by their first name, always Mr or Mrs. Hold doors open, step back when people want to go through a door. Take the elbow or arm of an elderly and assist them in walking or getting in or out of a door or a car. Always be courteous when talking with strangers. We even had occasional "fancy" meals, so we'd learn to use the right folks and table manners. Great emphasis was placed on good manners in my family.

I will never forget one lesson my mother taught me. I was in fifth grade and rode my bike to and from school. One afternoon, on my way home from school, I stopped at friend's house. I called my mother and told her, "I am staying at Susan's house for a while". My mother said "No you are not, get yourself home!". I couldn't ride my bike home fast enough, worrying about what I'd done wrong.

When I got home my mother told me to never address her like that on the phone again, instead say "Please may I stop at Susan's house for a while". This is a lesson I never forgot.

I raised my grandson and made sure he learned good manners, too. As he grew older, it became apparent to him how many kids his age did not know good manners. When he went to away to college in New York, he told me he saw the worst manners ever there.

My family was very poor, my father left my mother with 6 kids from age 9 years to 3 months. My mother was looking to placing part of us in an orphanage when her two brothers who had just been discharged from the Army and who were bachelors, took us over. One uncle bought a house where we all moved. Things were hard, mother couldn't work for a long time because she had so many young children. My two uncles were saints as far as I am concerned. They made us do the right thing and were always ready to tell us if we messed up and to praise us when we did well. My Mother babysat and did sewing for people. We kids scraped around always looking for odd jobs. We collected newspapers and sold them. My brothers did yard work and had paper routes. One time one of our neighbors paid me 15 cents to clean rotted maggot infest potatoes out of her garage. I was glad to do it because I was getting 15 cents. I started babysitting for neighbors when I was 12. When I was 14, I got my first retail job by lying and saying I was 16. I always had a part-time job as did my brothers and sisters. Once all the kids were older, my mother went to work as a medical secretary. All six of us kids have done well in life and are now financially well off, able to help other family members, who have not been as lucky as us. I would say, good manners and knowing that you must work hard were such important lessons we learned growing up.

So what I am getting at is good manners are not a matter of your family's status in the world, but are because of a good upbringing.

I also get sick and tired of people posting on these boards about how stupid Texans and Southerners are. Believe for every stupid, dumb talking Texan or Southerner, there is a match somewhere up North or out West.

[ChazII]

44. Exactly! My story is quite different

from yours but your first paragraph describes how I was raised as well as my friends. We are in Phoenix, Arizona and I am 57.

[Cryptoad]

10. Old school Southerners ,,,

will never accept the fact that the cause was unjust, that the "war" was fought over slavery and all their family that died, died in vain defending evil. Those forces that are alive today at Fox news have been at work in south ever since the end of the war brain washing southerners .

[LuvNewcastle]

16. My great grandmother told a lot of stories

about the war. That's what she called it, "the war." People lived closer to their relatives back then, at least in my family. It wasn't unusual for 3 or 4 generations to live in the same house. So she heard the Civil War stories directly from her grandfather who lost the lower part of his leg and got a pegleg as his souvenir for his time in the Confederate army.

She was interesting, to say the least. She always insisted that he didn't fight for slavery. She was very proud of the fact that our family never owned slaves, so according to her, he was fighting for southern independence. I suppose she heard that from her veteran grandfather. It's funny the things we tell ourselves to justify something we did that we're ashamed of. That's the lesson I learned from her.

[Ghost in the Machine]

25. Fortunately, the "Old School" part is dying off, though they leave behind some of their progeny..

The good thing is that there is a lot of "New School" thinking going on here, in the more Metropolitan areas (except maybe Chattanooga, with all their religious colleges/universities).

I'm 52 now, and hope to see the day the tide changes. I live in a small, very rural and very red County, but I would say that most of the people here are accepting of gays and blacks. We have a few very open gay couples, and no one bothers them. We also have some bi-racial couples with children who are accepted and not bothered. It's very telling to me, in a town where everyone knows everyone, and half of them are related in one way or another...

Peace,

Ghost

[Fawke Em]

28. Depends on where you lived.

East Tennessee was mostly Union-supporting and I would consider anyone from there an "old school Southerner."

[Mbrow]

13. You know, I wonder if it is

A generation thing, I was raised with the same manners in Michigan. As for you being an Ex- biker, it just goes to show you can't judge a book by it's cover.

[Mariana]

22. I see those same manners exhibited every day

in New England, by people of all ages. I don't know why some Southerners believe things like good manners are uniquely Southern and don't occur anywhere else.

[Fawke Em]

29. Same reason so many Northerners on this board think all Southerners are stupid?

[Person 2713]

30. There was another post yesterday about spending time in the wonderful woods in the south

That other post got some of the same kind of replies - like -"hey sounds just like the time we spend in the woods in Michigan".

These posts sort of remind me of some Christian types who think you have to be one of them to be of good character or else!

[Ghost in the Machine]

26. It could be... my formative years were the mid 60's through the 70's...

As for you being an Ex- biker, it just goes to show you can't judge a book by it's cover.

Thank you.... you *do* know that it was bikers who started the "Toys for Tots" program, right?

Peace,

Ghost

[Mbrow]

41. Sure do Ghost,

I work with several biker friends, mostly vets who do the honor guard for follow vets who have passed. I've always thought that for the most part they were a better class of people then they are given credit for. Good luck!

[Ghost in the Machine]

45. Cool, I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders too, even though I can't ride anymore due to neck

and back injuries, but I can drive my vehicle and stand in the blockade line that keeps protesters, like the scumbag Phelps Family, from even seeing the funeral while it is taking place.

As the old saying goes, " a few bad apples don't spoil the whole cart". Even though I was a bad apple at one point in my life, I was able to cut that bad piece out and turned my life around. The rest of that good apple made a mighty fine aged wine, if I do say so myself.

Peace to you and yours, Mbrow

Ghost

[Ligyron]

14. I was raised to be a Southern Gentlemen

My Mother was a socialite in Atlanta and moved to Palm Beach where she married my Dad. All what you say is so familiar to me but unfortunately, there are few Southern Gentlemen and more of the male counterparts to the women rednecks you described running around inland and all thru the South.

Now The Outlaws, there was an interesting MC club. The one I knew the longest had escaped the life, and was working in the marble trade but one day RL told me someone ratted his location and he feared for his life.

What he ended up doing was to stock his home with ammo and guns, mostly shotguns, placed at strategic fallback locations throughout his residence. I thought he was being paranoid but sure nuff they came for him and he killed 5 of them and injured several others before they hightailed it out of there dragging some of their wounded with them. He went to jail as he was out on parole to begin with and I think he was acquitted of the manslaughter charges but spent more time for gun possession as in: you're a convicted felon no firearms.

Nicest guy in the world otherwise.

Southern Gothic and Harry Cruz couldn't have written it better.

[Ghost in the Machine]

31. Yes, the knuckle-draggers do outnumber us, but I wanted to make our presence known. With all

of the South bashing that goes on here, people need to know we ALL aren't like the people on "Party Down South" or "Redneck Island". I always thought that "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a slap in the face to Southerners, portraying us as dumb, uneducated half-wits.

As for your biker buddy, it sucks that he went to jail defending his life, but all I can say is S.Y.L.O.

I don't know what he did that they came after him, but I *can* tell you that you can be "Blessed Out", not just "Blood in - Blood out" like some gangs. Even then, you may be "out", but you're never *really* OUT. You still have people who were your "Brothers" and "Sisters" and were like family, and you can still call on them, or they can call on you... and you'll help each other out however you can as long as it isn't "Club Business", as in turf wars or anything illegal.

I have been asked, and gladly helped, to raise money for accident victims, families who have lost everything due to fires, storms and even foreclosures.

Peace,

Ghost

[kentuck]

15. Southern humor...

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.
"Hello, President Obama” a heavily accented southern voice said. "This is
Archie, down here at Joe's Catfish Shack, in Mobile , and I am callin' to
tell ya’ll that we are officially declaring war on y'all!"

"Well Archie," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is
your army?"

"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my
cousin Harold, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from
Hooters. That makes eight!"

Barack paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my
army waiting to move on my command."

"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have to call ya back!"
Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. “Mr. Obama, the war is still
on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Archie?" Barack asked.

"Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry’s farm tractor."

President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks
and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one
and a half million since we last spoke."

"Lord above", said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya."

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. “President Obama! I am sorry
to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war."

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat
over sweet tea, and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed
that many prisoners."

[LuvNewcastle]

17. Love it!

[Ghost in the Machine]

32. LOL!!! THAT was a good one! Thanks for posting! n/t

[quickesst]

43. That....

....is hilarious! Made my day. Thanks.

[quickesst]

18. That's. ..

...the south I know and love too. Not the stereotypical version from those who perpetuate the myth that things like racism never has, and still does not exist north of the so called Mason-Dixon Line. These are the people who are the counterparts of the confederate flag-wavers in the south doing their part to keep the civil war alive, although their reasoning differs. Lots of good people down our way, black, white, Mexican, Asian, Muslim, etc. Why don't they move to the safe havens of the north, west, or east? In my 63 years experience it's because, despite the hardships, they like it here. Because they're poor? There are poor people everywhere who can't afford to move, but there are plenty who can, and yet they stay. They know there are more good people here than bad despite politics, and would face the same obstacles in most other regions of the country. Your south is the south I grew up, and live in, and we do what we can to improve, but as my old grandpa used to say, "Boy, just do the best you can, it's all you can do." WOO PIG

[Ghost in the Machine]

33. Spot on! You nailed it down here with this, thank you!

Lots of good people down our way, black, white, Mexican, Asian, Muslim, etc. Why don't they move to the safe havens of the north, west, or east? In my 63 years experience it's because, despite the hardships, they like it here. Because they're poor? There are poor people everywhere who can't afford to move, but there are plenty who can, and yet they stay. They know there are more good people here than bad despite politics, and would face the same obstacles in most other regions of the country.

{emphasis mine}


Peace,

Ghost

[quickesst]

42. Thanks for the kind words Ghost......

...and I appreciate yours.

[Ghost in the Machine]

46. You are quite welcome, quickesst. You were able to put in the words that I couldn't at the time

and I appreciate that. We all have to stick together and be the change that we want to see. We have to show others by our actions, not just words, and teach our own children the same way. I'm glad to have you in my corner!

Peace,

Ghost

[NOLALady]

37. I've had many question

my love for Louisiana. All I can answer... This is HOME. This is My Home where we Laissez les bons temps rouler!

[quickesst]

40. Just moved from Arkansas....

...to Bossier. Good people, and I feel at home, but my heart belongs to Arkansas. Never been to NO, but it's on the agenda.

[JonLP24]

19. Sounds like a paradise compared to here

In the Army, in my battalion I suspect most of the people were from the South or mid-west state Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. I was the only guy I knew from Arizona until someone from New Mexico was assigned about a year and a half later, closest to that was El Paso than California was someone from San Diego area and Norcal area, I gather somewhat close to San Jose State University. Anyway some of the best friends I could ever find in the Army and best one I ever had from Moss Point. Surprised me when he helped me out without me even asking, didn't expect it and would have even think to ask to help me financially when nobody does that, he invited me to his girlfriend's parents house up the I-5 and took me in & was great times I wouldn't give back for anything. Told you advice you needed to hear, looked out for you, stood up for you unprompted, understood and valued you, and most importantly told me criticism I needed to hear in a way handled appropriately. His longtime friend Baton Rouge the same way, all his friends from a lot of places. In Arizona a very different world, just cruel, self-interested, and bigots for everything. Feel so alone compared to then.

On edit -- In Ft. Lewis, met a lot of good Tacoma area people (some are from Los Angeles or other places like Portland) as well. Just a much better place.

[LuvNewcastle]

20. My first job was in Moss Point.

It wasn't that far from where I lived then, but it's a bit further away from where I live now. It's a poor town, but a lot of great people live there. I'm glad you had a good experience with some Mississippi Gulf Coast people. We have some of the best people in the world. They more than make up for the assholes.

[Ghost in the Machine]

34. Not quite a paradise, but we are working on it! We still have a long row to hoe...

I just wanted people to know that we're not ALL knuckle-draggers down here.

Peace,

Ghost

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Looking at the definition of 'mannerism' and the legal facts of anti LGBT discrimination

in each and every Southern State is revealing. Each Southern State, as you know, allows legal discrimination in employment against LGBT people.
It's nice that to you, being southern means not hating gay people but that is by no means reflected in laws and codes of the actual cultures and governments of the Southern States.
I'm reading the news about county clerks refusing to issue marriage licenses. Entire departments. My guess is that when those county clerks refuse to issue a license, they say 'I'm very sorry sir, but I can not do that for you sir'. Very "polite" and all.
So you really don't have to call me sir, sir. Just get rid of your laws allowing me to be fired for existing and get your counties to respect the Supreme Court of the Untied States.

Two definitions of 'mannerism':
1. a habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving; an idiosyncrasy.
2.excessive or self-conscious use of a distinctive style in art, literature, or music.

Note that the word 'mannerism' in either use is not indicative of an intrinsic positive trait, in one case it is a quirky habit, in the other is is an intentional over use of a style. This word is not about one's 'nature' or 'soul' nor is it about deeply authentic communications, the word is about affectation and habit.

[Ghost in the Machine]

35. Did you deliberately leave off this definition on purpose? It also blows your last paragraph out of

the water:

Noun 1. mannerism - a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual mannerism - a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

foible, idiosyncrasy

distinctiveness, specialness, specialty, peculiarity, speciality - a distinguishing trait

(emphasis mine}

I always tell people not to call me "sir", too. I still say it to others, though...

I don't write the laws here. I hear about a lot of Northern States refusing to marry gays, too, so what's your point??

Peace,

Ghost

[lonestarnot]

23. Good to see you!

[Ghost in the Machine]

36. lonestarnot!!! Good to see you, too!

Peace,

Ghost

[MineralMan]

47. Sounds just like Minnesota.

Wherever you go, there you are...

[Ghost in the Machine]

48. Sounds like a good place! I didn't, by any means, mean to imply that this was a strictly Southern

attitude or way of life, I was just trying to point out that there ARE good people in the South, especially with all of the South bashing that goes on here.

I'm just showing what MY Southern Upbringing was... certainly NOT one filled with hate and ignorance.

Peace to you, MineralMan

Ghost

[kwassa]

49. My neighbor's two daughters went to college in the south.

One loved the hospitality and manners.

The other thought the hospitality and manners insincere and hypocritical.