This is the first in a series of guest posts from some of my very kind, generous, and talented blogger friends who are covering for me while I’m at a blog conference in New Orleans, where my blog mentoring program is putting on a live session the final day of the conference. While I plan to do some sightseeing and maybe a little drinking, I will actually be doing real stuff, too!
First up is my good friend Nadine, who blogs at Life by Nadine Lynn. Her use of ecards is spectacular, and she makes me laugh almost every single day. She loves beer even more than I do and I wish I lived closer to her so we could hang out. Saying that is probably the only time I’ve ever said I wish I could visit Alabama.
Since Jana is in New Orleans, I thought I should give her some pointers on “southern things” from a Yankee living in the South’s prospective (Jana’s note: I live in Delaware, which thinks it’s the South but really it’s not. Someone needs to tell the natives that).
1. Y’all – This should be obvious, but y’all is plural for you all or you guys. All y’all means a large group. I myself still cannot say this word properly, but I don’t cringe when I hear it anymore. I sort of like it. Shhhh don’t tell anyone! 
2. Bless Your Heart – Southerner’s find it rather rude and inappropriate to call people stupid or idiots. Instead, they say phrases like “Oh, bless your heart!” Really it is like saying, “fuck you…you are dumb”.
3. College Football – It doesn’t matter if you don’t give a damn about college football, you MUST pick a team. The rivalries down here are real y’all! And the SEC is the only conference as far as we are concerned. I mean, we have our own network!
4. Sweet Tea – When you order your tea in the south, you are going to get it sweet unless you specify un-sweet. Don’t you dare say how gross sugar water tea is; there will be none of that nonsense! Also while we are on the topic, instead of pop or soda….everything is Coke.
5. BBQ – The south is very serious about their BBQ. BBQ is not created equal. Don’t even try to compare Carolina BBQ to Memphis BBQ to Alabama BBQ. IT’S NOT THE SAME!
6. Mason Jars – Everything tastes better in a mason jar. Don’t question the logic! They can even be used as décor too!
7. Initials/Monograms – They are on everything!
8. Attire – Down here, you sort of are on display all the time. Everywhere you go you want to consider it a fashion show. You should see all the dresses that get worn to football games. What happened to team sweatshirts? Not down south! 
9. Mosquitos – They are the size of a small bird down here. Don’t be alarmed. Actually, be very alarmed!
10. Humidity – It might only be in the 80’s or 90’s, but with the humidity at 34958869058%….let’s just say you have no clue what hot means yet! 
Well Jana, I hope you have an awesome time in New Orleans! It sounds like you might need a passport to travel below the Mason Dixon line, but you indeed do not!
Make sure you follow Nadine on Twitter and on Instagram
Thanks for having me! I hope you have a fabulous time in New Orleans!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
I love this, Nadine! Dresses to a football game!! #blessyourheart. My grandparents to me to Bloxum,VA when I was 6 yrs old to visit family. Best food. Old southern charm. Enjoyable read. I will be checking out your blog!
Carpe diem!
Love, SMD’s momma
Thank you! The south certainly has its own rules, quirks and charms! Annnnnd some delicious food 🙂
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
Hilarious as always! I lived in Alabama for three years and can confirm all this is true. 🙂
Amanda L (Glittericity) recently posted…#31DC2014 – Day 14 – FLOWERS
Alabama could be it’s own country….really 🙂 And it misses you!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
hahaha I love this so much Nadine! I definitely recognise some of these as things that happen in KY but now I just want to come visit you more!
hope you’re having fun Jana!
Kristen recently posted…Weekending
Come on down Kristen!! We would love to have y’all!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
I always see the dresses made out of the team colors.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…TWTW – shower the people you love with love
You simply can’t go to a football game dressed as casual Nancy you know!!!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
I totally picked up the bless your heart comment…..it just is the best sentence filler when someone has said something completely ridiculous!
I have caught myself saying it! It just works!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
Love the saying Bless Your Heart. I was shocked to learn it wasn’t a nice thing to say a year or so ago. Love it even more now. What is this un-sweet tea you speak of?! No such thing!
Kerry recently posted…A Full Weekend
Some northern family that have come to visit me have literally spit their tea out in shock of the sweetness. And yes, bless your hearts double meaning makes it that much more fun!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
Love this so much! I know some people don’t consider FL the true “South” but I’m basically in south Georgia here and we grew up Southern! All of this is absolutely true! When I first moved to OK for school none of the restaurants had sweet tea, it was so sad! They would point at the sugar/sweetener packets on the table and I’m like “NO, that is NOT what I meant!”
Julia recently posted…It’s Monday Already??
Regular iced tea with Splenda does not count as sweet tea. Ever! I totally agree!!!
Nadine recently posted…Weekend Shenanigans
“Bless your heart.” LOVE it. We say “have a blessed day” to people at work when what we really mean is GO FUCK YOURSELF. 🙂
Amanda recently posted…Sh*t Amanda Says
Great post Nadine! I’d say Missouri is just on the edge of being Southern, but we are in the SEC now so that may push us over the edge! =) Have you ever heard of the book The Southern Belle’s Handbook? It’s just a silly little book I got as a gift a long time ago, but it is seriously hilarious — stuff like the silver pattern zodiac, a dictionary to interpret various ways of insulting someone while sounding nice, etc.
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted…Catching up on 5 months of Project Life scrapbooking in a week