Not Your Typical Southerner????

Upon further exploring my new surroundings, I have come to some conclusions. I know it is early on, but still I think these insights will hold true.

1-Honey, we are not in the south in sunny southern Florida. Ironic? Yes, but true. What I mean by this is that there are more northern people here than southern. Tons of "transplants" from New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and the like. Due to these "transplants" the way of life here, the attitude, and the over-all feel is more like the north than the south. I have noticed people don't say "bless you" when you sneeze. I know it seems silly, but I was taught to say "bless you" when someone sneezes. Doors are not held for you. No one gives a thank you wave when you let them over in traffic, they would just as rather run you over. Speaking of traffic, I got the 1-finger salute the other day for not driving the acceptable 10 miles over the speed limit. So I have officially been initiated.....

2-I may be from the south, but I am not the typical southern gal. This realization came about after speaking with a board member at my new place of employment. The conversation went; "so you are from Memphis, you must be an Elvis fan?". My response, "no, not really". I know, I know bad Lesley! I have no issue with his music in general, but anyone that died so ungracefully on a toilet of all things....I am not a fan, sorry. This board member then asked if I liked grits. I again said no. I admit during pregnancy with my daughter I ate grits like they were going out of style. Now, not so much. I then went ahead and admitted while we were on the subject of food I don't care for fried chicken or potato salad. Sacrilege! I am sure some are saying to themselves. The board member being slightly caught off guard, then asked if I say "ya'll". Yes, but only when tired or tipsy do I slip into southern slang and say things like "ya'll" and "fixin". So he asked if I was sure I was born and raised in the good ole South. Well of course I was. After all, I could never turn down a glass or two or three of good southern sweet tea.....
I know most of the questions asked were ones of stereotype, and yet as others may see me, I am not the typical southerner.

So here I am a southern girl in South Florida who has realized that both the girl and the town may be a little more northern than we appear.