It has got to be the Drawl

I obviously know that the portrayal of southerners as being stupid is completely false; however, I must admit that the southern drawl plays right along with that misconception. The drawl, to me, is like music to my ears. I always love hearing a heavy country accent telling a hunting story or talking of family. The sing-song flow and slow presentation put me at ease and massage my calloused ears of their eighteen year exposure to the sharp northern tone.
However, this slow beautiful presentation can at times present the deliverer as being precisely that; slow. The same can be said about northern families that live in the country as well. Their thick accents convey a feeling of ignorance and lack of education. Blue collar comedy isn’t just making fun of southern rednecks, but northern rednecks as well! Some may think that camouflage clothing, heavy accents, and a reputation of below average schooling is a stereotype confined to the south, but I can absolutely state the opposite. Books such as, You Know You’re a Redneck If… and 1001 Ways to Use Duck Tape poke fun at northern redneck stereotypes as well. So although I believe that the drawl adds to the stereotype of southern stupidity, the northern brogue elicits similar judgements.
-Jordan Conant

Southern Stupidity

I definitely agree with you that there is a stereotype throughout America that Southerners are less educated and stupid. I have become especially aware of this when people who live in the North come to visit the South. If these travellers actually lived here though, they would probably have a different opinion. I can see how years of agricultural dominance in the South could foster poor education since a man doesn't need books to grow crops. In the past, the North probably was much more educated than the South because they were more focused on industry, and education and innovation is needed to expand production. However, I feel that the South today has made significant strides in the overall education level of its population. I do not think there is a big difference in the North and the South today, but I can definitely see where this stereotype originated.

Although the South has produced fine universities and built large cities, the media still portrays Southerners in this old stereotype. Many comedies, such as Larry the Cable Guy, are centered around this idea of Southern stupidity and redneckness. Other outlets, such as the Family Guy episode shown in class the other day, show Southerners as backwards and idiotic. I typically find these shows funny, and I'm sure sports like NASCAR do not help the South's case. Today, I feel that the education level of the North and South is not as different as it used to be, but the media continues to portray this idea for entertainment purposes. But I doubt that there is a difference in the smartest individuals in the North and the South, or in the trailer parks and ghettos that scatter the regions.

Nicholas Keith

Since We Were on the Topic of Stereotypes...

What do you Gents have to say about the stereotype that folk down south are less educated. Now, I know this is a complete fallacy, as do you all. My question to you, then, is how you think this stereotype came about.

Back home in Jersey, I was always taught that it was due mainly to the economic differences. Since the South was so dependent on agriculture pre-Civil War, they were seen as backwards by the Northerns, who rushed to complete the factory down the road. Yet, to me, this seems to be a pretty shallow belief, mainly for the reason that everyone needs food. Imagine all your supermarkets running dry because you insulted the governor of the state that provides your food supply.

I always thought it had more to do with slavery. Even if one wasn't an abolitionist in the North, many were beginning to sympathize with the plight of the African Americans. The stories of lynching and KKK activities must have scared many Northerners. And fear leads to rationalization. In other words, "Only uneducated people would do something like that."

It also served to distance the Northerners from the spectacles of lynching and other such activities. This way, the Northerners became the audience for the show the African Americans and the Southerners were performing. This further solidified the Northerner's feelings of superiority to its current height.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

-Akshaya Srivastava

Common Guys!

All this talk about southern gentlemen is going to make me sick! I agree that northern men at times can obnoxious, but I feel that it is our women that are to blame. Back home if a man treats a woman like a gentleman he is often accused of being too soft. Women in the north are extremely independent and refuse to allow men to treat them how southern peaches wish to be treated. Coming to the south I have seen that nice guys can finish first; but back home nice guys are often chewed up and spit out by our strong-willed women. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love northern girls and at times am attracted to their independence. But I have definitely caught a fever for these beautiful southern sweethearts.
If holding open doors and taking the extra time to be more courteous to others, which I have always tried to do, will help me land one of these belles; IM IN! I feel that It has been an easy transition for me though because I have always been brought up to live by the “Golden Rule”. Although I am a Yankee at heart, I have been able to play the role of a southern gentleman without too much trouble. The last thing I need to learn is how to keep my mouth shut more often.
-Jordan Conant

Gentlemen, At the Ready!

I admit that Southern men are far more polite than anything I had expected. This topic brings to mind an incident I related to my parents over the phone last semester. I had dropped something or the other, and was searching for it on the stairs. A random person I hadn't ever seen or met before came up and got down on his hands and knees to help me look for it. I remember the next day telling my mom how in a similar experience in Jersey, people actually looked down at me searching and walked away. Southern men definitely are more polite then Jersey folk.

I have been taught to hold doors open for women. Yet the women I've held the door for don't really like it. The atmosphere is different in the North. Women want to be independent. Any attempt to be chivalrous is seen as an affront to the woman's empowered status. I am from a very feminist area, and as such, I tend to be polite only as a formality. It's not really a way of life for me, as it is in the South.

I don't know how to set the table. I still switch my knife and fork in my hands a couple of times to find out which one feel comfortable to me. I only use one spoon, no matter how many courses are in the meal. I rarely use "sir" or "ma'am," unless in a military setting. Yet, I still hold the door open for anyone. I am kind. And I think that defines a gentleman more than the formalities that he possesses. But the formalities set apart the gentlemen from those who are only performing the role.

-Akshaya Srivastava

Gentlemen

I agree that there is a definite image throughout the United States about "Southern gentlemen", especially among the women. While usually a favorable image, I feel that the media somewhat overrepresents the Southern male class. As a whole, I do feel that Southern men exhibit a more respectful, kind towards others, but this attitude is not as prevelent as it used to be. I appreciate the men that continue to uphold the tradition of "Southern gentleman" in this age.

Like Mitchell, I was raised on strong values of respect and politeness as a child in hopes that I would perpetuate the ideal of the "Southern gentleman". I learned to say "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" and to hold the door open for women. I also learned other concepts, such as respect for others and women always come first. My girlfriend is from New Jersey, and she frequently comments on the difference between men in the South and "Jersey Shore" guys. While I enjoy this compliment, I also take pride in our culture's values. Although I would not call myself distinctly "Southern" by any means, I am proud to represent the values that a Southern gentleman displays.

I do feel that there is a greater appreciation for these values in the South than elsewhere in the United States(perhaps it has something to do with the South's greater focus on religion?). Rrom my personal experiences of traveling West or North, people in general do not seem as open and respectful outside the South. Like you, Mitchell, I have been to New York City once and it was quite an experience. While it was interesting being around people out of my element, I did realize that individuals were not nearly as respectful as people are in the South.

Nicholas Keith

Southern Gentlemen

Rhett Butler from "Gone With The Wind", a true southern gentlemen.

Having been raised in the South I have acquired a few habits that have become second nature to me. I grew up in a home where if anything else was said other than yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, you would be in trouble. I was taught to hold doors open for girls and to always be polite no matter the circumstance. If I wasn't taught in the home, my mom paid for me to go to Cotillion classes. Here I would learn such things as how to properly set a table, how to introduce oneself and another to somebody, and even how to dance (At the time it was the worst experience of my life, but now i greatly appreciate it).
While I haven't traveled much outside of the southeast, it would seem to me that Southern gentlemen have the best manners of anybody around. My evidence comes from those southern cities I have traveled to such as Charleston, South Carolina, Birmingham, Alabama, and even Statesboro, Georgia. It is generally a much more pleasant experience than say a trip to New York City ( I have been once and will never go back again). People in the South are nicer and much more polite. I don't know if its the nicer weather or if its just the way southerners were raised.
It is a trend nowadays to be as cool as you can and be the biggest badass on campus. And for some reason girls go for this, but that's another point. It is up to us southern men to keep the values that have been instilled in us and to pass them on to our children one day.
I leave you with a quote from one of the greatest military leaders the south has seen:

"We have only one rule here - to act like a gentleman at all times." - Robert E. Lee

My question to you is, if you are from the south, have you had any experiences where being a southern gentlemen has paid off for you? If your not from the south, am I off base by saying having good manners is a southern thing or have you noticed a difference since living in a southern city such as Atlanta? Overall, what are your general thoughts on what a true southern gentlemen is?

Country Music, Oh No...

Country music has always been one thing that I have loathed. In my eighteen years of life not once had I ever sat down and thought to myself, “I want to listen to some country right now.” I had a few friends back home that listened to a lot of country, but I couldn’t ever bring myself to enjoy the twangy voices and sappy stories it seemed every country song was filled with. And then I came to Georgia. Now it seems like all anyone wants to listen to is Kenny Chesney or Toby Keith.
Out of all the country I have heard however, I have found one song that I thoroughly enjoy. It was a cool day during winter break, about 8am. I was catching a ride to football practice with my friends Corey and Sean. As we drove down towards Bobby Dodd stadium a song by Billy Currington came over the radio. I was shocked. I found myself first nodding my head, then smiling as I tapped my feet to the country beat. The song is called “People Are Crazy” and has a chorus that sings, “God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.”
The song tells a story of a Billy running into an old man at the bar. While at the bar, and drinking plenty of beer, they start sharing everything about their lives; their opinions, stories of female conquests, politics, etc. After closing time they part ways and never talk again. One day however, Billy sees a picture of the old man on the front page of the obituaries. Billy realizes the man was a millionaire and that all of the money was going to be given to him. The song closes with Billy visiting the old man’s grave and leaving a six-pack on it for him to enjoy.
So there is hope after all! Maybe someday I will be able to find a few more country songs that I enjoy. Besides, I know these southern belles love country music… I had better start!
-Jordan

Southern Music

While country music isn't my favorite genre of music it certainly isn't my least favorite. I despised country music growing up. Whenever I thought of country music all I could think about was gettin' drunk and talkin' about your dead dog. It wasn't till high school when my weightlifting coach only played country music during wokouts that I started to like country music. I distinctly remember my coach telling my the meaning behind the Toby Keith song "How Do You Like Me Now". From then on I would occasionally listen to country music.
Going along with what you said Nick, country music has become somewhat more of a "pop" tune. I especially like what Dr. Hoefer said when he talked about country music not being about living in the suburbs and going to the lake for the weekends. I absolutely hate that song "Online" by Brad Paisley. It has gotten to a point that I will completely turn off country music on the radio if a song like that comes on.
To me the best thing about country music is the women that sing it. Southern women are by far the most beautiful women on the face of the planet. They always have the nicest voices especially when compared to the lip singing of Ashley Simpson. And what can I say about Dolly Parton...


If you ask me what southern music is I will tell you to listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, and Marshall Tucker Band. You don't see too often new bands in the genre of Southern Rock. In my opinion, you will never be able to outdo the works of such aforementioned bands. They will always be enjoyed, you will always remember the lyrics to "Freebird", and nobody will put on a concert like the Charlie Daniels Band.

Northern Country Music

My exposure to country music has been very very limited. In fact, when Nick mentioned country music, my thoughts jumped to Miley Cyrus. But I think just that jump from country to Miley points to a change in country music. If you had asked me what I thought of country music before 2006 (when Disney Channel debuted Hannah Montana), my first thought would be Elvis Presley. His song Guitar Man easily was my definition of country music. Now I think of the overplayed song The Climb.

While the song is still pretty sentimental, I can't seem to reconcile this change in my thoughts. To redefine a genre's personification from a legend to another artist who is nowhere near that status in the field makes me question why I had the Elvis personification as a boy in the first place. The only answer I can come up with is the media I had been exposed to. When my family first came to this country, my dad bought an enormous collection of songs. Anything that was American and would help us get acclimated to this new world. Among this collection were some of Elvis's songs, which was my first exposure to country music.

However, lately my sister has been blasting Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus songs in her room since my junior year of high school. Somewhere down the line, Elvis morphed into Miley. A disturbing picture, I agree. However, I think that it is also an accurate picture. While the classics will never die out, they are slowly starting to be replaced by songs of the newer generation. Unfortunately, that means more loud music that isn't as heartfelt as the olden days. Sorry Nick. Seems like country music is taking a definite turn towards toward the contemporary and away from the classics that you enjoyed so much.

Akshaya Srivastava