I grew up in the small town of Conway, S.C., 15 minutes outside of Myrtle Beach. I have always loved the South, and I am proud of where I come from.
Conway is full of history and is just an awesome place.
One of my favorite things about my town is the sense of community.
But I’m not the only Southerner to appreciate our culture.
Actor Lucas Black loves everything about the South.
“Oh, well, just this whole culture and great hospitality, great people, everybody will wave at you on the street. It’s a place where you can find peace and love, and that’s hard to find in a world today,” he told Southern Living.
Here are a few reasons why the South is such a spectacular place.
SEC football
There is nothing like college gameday in the South. Whether you’re pulling for Clemson or Carolina, there is no feeling like tailgating with your friends and family in the heart of fall. If you go to a game and want to fit in, ladies wear cowgirl boots and a dress and gentlemen wear khakis and a polo.
American football teams stay head to head on a generic outdoor football stadium under a cloudy sky with bright sun. The players wear unbranded professional clothes
Food
Whether your favorite food is fried chicken, pork chops and butter beans or chicken bog, we can all agree Southern food is amazing.
Southern cuisine is one of a kind, full of butter and spices and lots of deep-frying.
Sense of community
In the South, especially in small towns, just about everyone knows each other. If for some reason, you don’t know someone, chances are you know one of their family members.
Hospitality
Holding doors, saying yes ma’am and no sir, and going out of your way for strangers, are a few aspects that are ingrained in Southerners.
Southern phrases
Southern terminology and phrases are extremely unique.
We say things like “being ugly” when someone is being mean, or “bless your heart” when someone needs to grow up.
We say we’re “fixin’ to” when we are about to do something, and we “holler” instead of yell.
Faith
They call us the Bible Belt for a reason. It’s not uncommon to hear the words blessed, prayer, or Jesus come up in conversations regularly. The prominence of faith in the South is evident not only in the amount of churches, but by the genuine goodness in people. I am thankful to live in a place where faith is so deeply rooted.
Lifestyle
Southern lifestyle is very slow-paced.
We enjoy relaxation and don’t get in a hurry much.
Whether we are sitting on the front porch or sitting by a fire, we love spending time relaxing with our families and friends.
“My favorite part of living in the South is the lifestyle,” says Crystyn Neely, born and raised in Georgetown S.C. “I love how important family is to everyone and the sense of community I feel in my small town.”
by Grayson Hardee
CougarBuzz 