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
