Southern Hospitality, Hey Y'all!

People in these towns greet everyone with a friendly "hey y'all, how are ya doin'?". Even if they're having a bad day they manage a smile or a "Not bad how are you?" in return. I can't count the number of times this phrase was followed by "How's your mama doin', I haven't seen her in a while?" and they are not just asking, they really care about the answer. People in this town and I'm sure many others truly care about their fellow man and make a great effort to welcome anyone new to the area.

Newcomers are often taken baked goods and other homemade goodies by neighbors when they move into a new neighborhood. It's like they just wrap you up in their arms and give you a big ole' hug to welcome you. You may even get an actual hug since there's normally at least one "hugger" in the group.

This group of neighbors will give you the low down on most anything you need to know and will let you know to just ask if you need anything, and they mean it. By the time your neighbors leave you will feel at home in the neighborhood and town and will know most anything you need to know about anything. You won't have to worry about collecting phone numbers because all you have to do is come calling if you need something or walk over to a neighboring mailbox as the mail runs because for some reason everyone checks their mail as it runs. Perhaps it's to greet the mail man or woman.

Food is a big part of southern hospitality. Cooking is one of those chores that has been turned into a beautiful way to enjoy each other. It is a long standing tradition for women to gather in the kitchen and prepare huge meals for holidays or other special events.

Church gatherings and other meetings normally end with a good meal or snack. Food is brought to families going through trying times such as illness, death, or just a general run of bad fortune. It is a main component of any celebration or holiday.

I remember past family reunions and the thing my mind goes to is the food: the casseroles, cakes, salads and sides of all kinds just waiting for us all to gather around and say a blessing. I can almost smell the goodies of the past right now as I remember.

"We ask you to bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies so that we may better serve you" was something that was always asked of our Lord during these blessings. Perhaps that is where southern hospitality comes from. Is it a result of serving the Lord by serving and honoring our fellow man? I can't state this as a fact, but I can certainly believe that this custom's roots have grown from the pages of Our Father's Word.

I no longer live in this small town. Opportunities arose in a place not too far, but at the same time worlds away. There are very few "hey y'alls". Very few people slow down enough to care. It seems that even though I'm still in the same state,southern hospitality isn't evident in most places I look. A few people here still honor the tradition of southern hospitality, but so many people have forgotten their values.

I can say that I have been a member of a few playgroups here and I have met some amazing women. Many of these women are not southern, but most of them hold dear the same values that I do. I am not close to many people, even within these playgroups, but I can say that these women are amazing, morally sound people who carry on the traditions of southern hospitality whether southern or not.

I can say that southern hospitality resides in my home and in my heart, and in the heart of my husband and children. We live by our small town values even when we're not in a small town. I'm not saying we're perfect, but I am saying that we strive to show kindness to others. Teaching our children the importance of southern hospitality is important to both me and my husband, it was something that was passed down to us. I believe that southern hospitality is just plain ole' honest to goodness kindness in all areas of life. Anyone can show kindness, come on, you don't really have to be southern.

Community Service Ideas

Making Sweet Tea The Southern Way
so good on a hot summer day

Lewis Grizzard
A little southern humor

Broccoli Rice Sausage Casserole
A yummy down home southern casserole, 12 easy steps!

Grits
All you want to know about grits and recipes to boot!


The Ravenous Guide to Southern Cooking
southern cooking anyone?


Hog Hunting and BBQ
Ain't that Southern!

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read about something I feel is so important.No matter where you live, try to live by the code of southern hospitality; you never know, you may change someone's life.

Ya'll Come Back Now Ya Hear

Use this code to encourage your site visitors to submit Site Reviews for your site:
The Isle of Squid