NoSandwichOnlyZuul t1_irekgzg wrote on October 7, 2022 at 1:52 PM

The difference I noticed in New England hospitality vs Southern (born+raised in ME, college in GA, 6mo in TX, now in VT) is that in New England we seem rough on the outside but we'll genuinely help anyone with anything. Southerners are more focused on manners than actual kindness or be neighborly. NE holds genuine hospitality above politeness and in the South it's the other way around. Lots of fake smiles and not a lot of real kindness. That said, I still loved my time in GA and the people that are genuinely kind beyond the Southern polite facade are wonderful!

MainelyKahnt t1_iremymi wrote on October 7, 2022 at 2:12 PM

Definitely feel the point on manners vs kindness. A buddy of mine grew up in Texas and when I went to visit him he said "everyone will act super nice but are underhanded AF," and "if someone says "bless your heart" you break their jaw".

NoSandwichOnlyZuul t1_irf1v2h wrote on October 7, 2022 at 4:05 PM

TX was the absolute worst. I never felt more unwanted and out of place as I did there. Everyone was so fake nice, if they bothered to fake it at all, it was awful. This is a sweeping generalization, but they were legitimately some of the worst people I've ever had contact with.

MainelyKahnt t1_irf305g wrote on October 7, 2022 at 4:14 PM

I told my buddy the phrase "don't mess with Texas" was incomplete because the full phrase should be "don't mess with Texas, it isn't worth your time"

ladykatytrent t1_irf6gnn wrote on October 7, 2022 at 4:39 PM

Another one is "I love her to death but - " which means "I hate this person but am trying not to sound mean about it".

JayhawkInMaine OP t1_iremvhs wrote on October 7, 2022 at 2:11 PM

Summed up beautifully. I spent the last 10 years in south central GA.

justadumbwelder1 t1_irgntk6 wrote on October 7, 2022 at 11:46 PM

This sums up our experience of moving to maine after spending decades in the south perfectly!