This is absolutely wonderful. Have you thought about expanding it for a book (if one has already been published, I want to buy a copy).
My secretary just explained to me the other day that Bubba really means brother (she grew up in South Carolina).
Any other definitions out there?
------
Robert Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
100 East Cedar
Angleton, Texas 77515
(409) 864-1208
museum_bob
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http://www.bchm.org
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From: Deb Fuller[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 1998 4:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Equity and All That
At 10:45 AM 8/27/98 -0500, you wrote:
>I am from the Northwest (Oregon). I came to Texas twenty-seven years ago.
> It was not until I took this museum position (I did international stuff
>for twenty years), that I fully encountered the "Confederate" attitude. I
>have been amazed over the past six years that it still exists. Mind you,
>it generally has nothing to do with the slavery issue. I is focused more
>on the "Southern Culture" whatever that might be, and its loss since the
>War. There is a strong anti-"federal" element, although most of the vocal
>ones don't understand what "federal" really means.
As one who was born in the South and has lived all my life in the South,
let me try and clarify.
What you are calling a "Confederate" attitude associated with the South, is
not "true Southern Culture" but basic stupidity brought on by ignorance and
an unwillingness to change.
I pride myself on being well-schooled in "Southern Culture" and hold none
of those anti-federal sentiments nor do I believe that the NEA is
responsible for the degredation of society and the family.
"Southern Culture" is a whole 'nother mindset. It is calling everyone,
regardless of nationality, creed, socialization, birthplace or age either
"Sir" or "Ma'am", especially those who are older than oneself. It is
refering to people by "Mr.", "Miz", "Miss" or "Mrs." lastname until they
give you permission to call them by their first names. (You don't know how
erked I get when some cashier who I've never seen before and probably will
never see again calls me "Deborah" because it's the name on my credit
card.) It's refering to the elderly as "Miss" or "Mr" Firstname and
having grandparents that are fondly refered to as "Big Mamma" and "Big
Daddy" as well as having at least one cousin called either "Hoss", "Buddy"
or "Earl." It's haveing at least one female relative must be called by two
first names, many times having one that is typically male like "Bobby Sue"
or "Betty Anne".
In the South, people do not walk or drive fast. (Those elderly who moved
to Florida after they retired do not count.) One does not hurry anywhere
else you are late for church or Sunday dinner at Big Mamma's. Cars are
never parked directly in front of someone's house.
"Visitin'" is the Southern past-time. Afternoons are spent wandering from
house to house, inquiring about the health and well-being person's
immediate family and family friends. Gossip is not allowed and personal or
in-depth questions about health or family are not permitted. Neither are
heated topics such as politics, religion and why Mary Sue suddenly got
married and had a baby 6 months later.
Visitin' is often done unannounced and if someone is not home, one simply
moves to another house and comes back later. Seldom are unannounced guests
seen as an imposition and people are rarely too busy not to at least take
time for a short chat on the porch. The hosts will always offer something
to drink like iced tea and something to eat like cake or small sandwiches.
These are always on hand and can be seasonal. For example, watermellon is
always around during the summer and is often left cut in half with a knife
stuck in it on the kitchen counter for all to dig into. Iced tea is always
served sweetened and unsweetened tea is always offered with Sweet N' Low.
Dinner, the meal after breakfast and before supper, is the largest meal of
the day and must include either biscuts, cornbread, some pork product and
leftovers from the meal the day before.
Catfish is always served fried with hush puppies; tartar sauce is for
yuppies. Barbeque is rated like fine wine and styles vary from region to
region. Any sort of pre-bottled sauce is considered high sacriledge and an
open pit is madatory. Gravy can be put on anything and is usually served
at most meals. When in doubt, fry it. Bisquick has more uses than duct tape.
Southern Culture means smiling and saying hello to everyone that you pass
on the street. Making eye contact with strangers is not a pre-cursor to
mugging. It's knowing all your neighbors on a first name basis and
greeting new neighbors with a caserole or dessert.
It is many other things as well but that would be someone's cultural
anthropology dissertation. But hopefully this gives you a brief look at a
unique way of life.
Deb Fuller, and yes I really called my grandmother "Big mamma", have an
uncle Earl, and a relative known as "Edna Mae" :)
--------------------------------------------
Staples & Charles Ltd.
225 N Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA
703-683-0900 - voice
703-683-2820 - fax
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