Southern Hospitality

 

even the alligators are friendly!

According to Wikpedia "Southern Hospitality is a phrase used in American English to describe the stereotype of residents of the Southern United States as particularly warm and welcoming to visitors to their homes, or to the South in general."

When we visit my parents in Florida (or even my brother and his family in Virginia for that matter) I am always impressed by how friendly everyone is!  Workers in the grocery stores smile and are helpful, gas attendants are nice, retail workers are happy to see you, and strangers look you in the eyes and say "Hello" as they pass you on the street.  I know there are exceptions, but for the most part it feels like one big happy family.

"Some characteristics of Southern hospitality were described as early as 1835, when Jacob Abbott attributed the poor quality of taverns in the South to the lack of need for them, given the willingness of Southerners to provide for strangers.  Abbott writes, 'The hospitality of Southerners is so profuse, that taverns are but poorly supported.  A traveler, with the garb and the manners of a gentleman, finds a welcome at every door... The gentleman of the house sees his approach and is ready upon the steps.'" (Wikpedia)

We can attribute their graciousness to many things... sunny weather, the Bible Belt, upbringing... but, the reality is people are a lot friendlier to strangers in the South.  Stereotypically, Northerners are not warm and welcoming, let alone friendly and helpful.  (Ouch, I'm a Jersey girl!)  Well, no matter where you are from or what your upbringing has been, I encourage you to practice hospitality today because kindness is contagious!  Greet workers with a smile and a kind word; be aware of the person who is serving you or waiting on you and treat him or her with respect; and finally, be ready upon your steps for someone to approach your house (your life!).  Welcome people in.  May God bless you as you do ;-)

be nice, or else!