This came to me over email this week, from a dear family friend. I don’t know where this originally came from or who wrote it first, but it’s too good not to share! Fellow Southerners will definitely agree.

Southerners know the movies that speak to their hearts… Fried Green Tomatoes, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, and Gone with the Wind.

Southerners know their religions… Baptist, Methodist, and Football.

Southerners know their cities dripping with Southern charm… Charleston, Savannah, Fort Worth, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

Southerners know their elegant gentlemen… men in uniform, men in tuxedos, and Rhett Butler.

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don’t “have” them, you “pitch” them.

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc. make up a “mess.”

Only a Southerner can point you in the general direction of “yonder.”

Only a Southerner knows how long “directly” is, as in, “Going to town, be back directly.”

Even Southern babies know that “gimme some sugar” is not a request for a white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little jar on the kitchen table.

All Southerners know exactly when “by and by” is. They might not use the term, but they understand it conceptually.

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who’s got trouble is a plate of fried chicken and a big bowl of potato salad. If it’s a real crisis, they know to add a bowl of banana pudding.

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between “right near” and “a right far piece.” They also know that “right down the road” can be one mile or 20.

Only a Southerner both knows and understands the differences between a redneck, a good ol’ boy, and poor white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with a flashing turn signal is actually going to make that turn.

A Southerner knows that “fixin” can be a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Only a Southerner can make friends while standing in line. And when we’re in line, we talk to everybody!

Put 100 Southerners in a room, and half of them will discover they are related, at least by marriage.

In the South, “y’all” is singular, and “all y’all” is plural.

Southerners know that grits come from corn, and how to cook them.

When you hear someone say, “Well, I caught myself a-lookin’,” you know you’re in the presence of a true Southerner.

Only true Southerners say “sweet tea” and “sweet milk.” Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar…we do not like our tea unsweetened. “Sweet milk” means we don’t want buttermilk.

A true Southerner knows that you don’t scream obscenities at the little old lady driving 30 on the highway. You just say, “Bless her little heart,” and go your own way.

There ain’t a magazine called Northern Living, for good reason.

Southern girls know that men may come and go, good friends are forever.

Share this with someone who was raised in the South, or wishes they had been. If you’re a Northern transplant, bless your heart, we know you got here as fast as you could!

And remember… if you’re lucky enough to be Southern, you’re lucky enough.