Africa time American holidays are funny in Africa baby Gonzo beachin' it up beat dook beef jerky is delicious birthday love bizzle bluegrass bucket list by popular request call me nurse Call out Connie carolina girls really are the best in the world carrboro is for townies chapel thrill crack in your coffee culture shock D.C. darn it why is there still glitter everywhere Debbie Downer came to town delicious grubbing derby DUSON eve excited anyway fan club flashback friday FOFP friendiversary G and G gettin' lucky in Kentucky gone to carolina in my mind good books Haiti Happy Holidays hash heart carolina i am a tar heel i heart mountains I'm a child of the Disney generation I'm coming home in review in roy we trust insufficient gratitude jet set across America KCMC keeping it local Kelly G-love kilimanjaro kvetch Liles make me smile love Louisville Love NC Lulu making new memories with old friends Materuni waterfalls meg and bex music makes my ears smile my dad is superman new2lou Obama pediatric nurse practitioner playing outside post secret red river gorge resource-limited medicine ridiculously unprepared safari njema school of life Shakori sharing the love shout outs skipping town soap box song of the week sorry i'm not sorry stand up for what's right Sunday Funday swahili kidogo Tanzania Tekoa the dirty D the life of a twenty something time to put my big girl pants on tobacco road townie love TZ pics unc bball is a dynasty UofL viral video woo hoo it's my birthday xoxo zebras

Friday, July 29, 2011

On Southern Hospitality


It's the way I was raised and it seems so natural to me, but I have learned that Southern Hospitality is a learned behavior for those of us below the Mason Dixon line.

My mother is a Southern Belle, born in Alabama and raised in North Carolina with very traditional values, which she has since instilled in me. Southern hospitality does not stop with welcoming someone into your home and serving them overcooked vegetables on your fine china (or if you're me then it's second hand Ikea china and mason jars), but it also includes being a gracious guest.

There are a few things that are especially important that I learned from my mother:
-Never show up empty handed. You always need a hostess gift. I still take a gift even when I'm going to my best friend's house to watch Monday night reality television.
-Always volunteer to help with meals, even if you are turned down, at least you offered.
-Be the first to stand up to clear the table.
-Sirs, ma'ams, yes pleases, and no thank yous go a long way.
-Keep your guest space tidy and don't make additional work for your host.
-Strip the bed of dirty sheets when you leave and hang your wet towel appropriately.
-Always send a thank you note.

Gosh I'm glad I'm Southern.

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