Gommy wants to talk about Southern hospitality today. My husband is from Memphis, Tennessee and we moved there about ten years ago. We lived in a rural community the latter part of the ten years we spent there. When we first moved to the area, we hadn't found a home yet and needed a mail-box to have our mail sent to until we had a permanent address. The first glimpse I had of Southern hospitality was when Gommy went to the Post Office. I went up to the clerk and asked for a mailbox. She was so sweet that it threw me for a minute. Then after filling out the needed paperwork, she gave me my assigned box. The next thing that happened really floored me. She asked me if I would like her to come out of her window area and show me where my mailbox was.......WOW !!!! I looked at her in dismay and asked, "Is this the United States of America Post Office?" I had always heard of the the government workers at the Post Office going 'postal' on you and this was certainly above and beyond anything I had ever experienced in any post office. Another postal story is that Gommy would often need to send something and not know how much postage to put on the package and I would just write a note attached to the package and the next day there would be an envelope with the amount it had cost in my mailbox. What a concept!!! To be trusted by a government employee.
Another area you notice Southern hospitality is at the grocery store. When someone accidentally bumps into you with their cart, they actually apologise to you. Now, in South Florida you are lucky to not get sued for being carted from behind!!!!! Kids are also more polite in the South. I remember my step-son lived with us for part of the year and in Chicago the other part of the year. When he stayed with us in Tennessee, he was expected to say "Sir' and 'Ma'am' and to call his elders by their proper title, i.e. Mr. Tommy or Miss Molly or yes sir and no ma'am. It just makes everything so nice to have and be shown respect and it teaches the children that they SHOULD respect their elders and their fellow neighbor.
People are also much more friendly in the deep South. Many people nod (showing they acknowledge you) if nothing else when you walk by them. Most will speak to you and wish you good morning, afternoon or evening. Southerners will always offer to share a meal with them at their home. They may just have enough for their own family but that will never stop them from offering to share with you. Another Southern saying is "appreciate it". That is said when you do something for them, even if is just take their money for the gas they are about to pump themselves.
Even the ladies at the drive-up window at the bank are friendly. We got so friendly with our tellers that they always asked about our family and if we had any pictures to share with them of the grandchildren. I used to bring cookies or goodies to them at holidays. They were very sad when they learned we were moving back to Florida but they were genuinely happy for us. There are just no two ways about it......it is just friendlier down South. Heck, even our insurance lady would call us to remind us that a payment was coming up soon.....Did you ever??????
I guess it is the gentleness of the people that is most noticeable. I love that there are people in the world who still want to share a story, a meal or just or a smile with you. I will always miss the great friends I met while we lived in Tennessee, but I will miss the good ole' Southern Hospitality the very most.
