The South: Reflections

As I was chatting with a friend about our move to Louisville, she raised the question as to whether or not Kentucky is considered "the south." Technically, even though the Man will be working for the city of Louisville, we will most likely be living in southern Indiana (or "Kentuckiana" as the locals call it). Anyway, as I was thinking about it, Kentucky really is kind of just smushed in the middle. As a born and raised Chicagoan, I cannot claim Kentucky as a Midwestern state; that just isn't right. But it's not necessarily the football-loving, bbq-eating, mosquito-infested, humidity-so-high-I-could-melt South. It's certainly not the wicked-awesome east nor is it near the great plains. So...where exactly am I moving to?

I started thinking about the few encounters I've had with Kentuckians (thank you Laurryn for the correct term) and I've come to my own conclusion that Kentucky is indeed, the South. There's still a lot I need to learn, but so far I've come up with the following reasons why:

• You or you all no longer exists. It's strictly y'all.
• Everyone and their mother drives the speed limit. Even on expressways.
• Chick-Fil-A. God.Bless.It.
• Drivers let other drivers merge anytime and anywhere.
• I'm fairly certain the people of Kentucky provide most of the content for PeopleofWalmart.com.
• Cracker Barrels are everywhere.
• Starbucks are nowhere.
• It's always "yes ma'am" or "yes sir." I love this.
• Punctuality is merely a suggestion.
• A promise and a handshake are as valid as a written contract.
• Duke is considered quiet.
• Duke is an outcast because he does not have a gun rack.
• Duke is at least a foot shorter than all the other trucks.
• Attendants at gas stations pump the gas for you and smile while doing it.
• It's Lou-uh-ville NOT Lou-ee-ville
• Waitresses suggest sweet tea instead of pop
• Pop is coke
• Coke is Coke; Sprite is a type of coke (this is stupid)
• Buffalo Wild Wings has fried pickles
• "Bless his/her heart" doesn't mean what you think it means
• Gun shops are as common as Walgreens
• There are Rite-Aids instead of Walgreens
• Strangers will make eye contact, smile, and genuinely ask how you're doing

So far we have a truck, a shotgun, and I can live off of sweet tea & Chik-Fil-A. I'm trying not to be skeptical of friendly people and we're both working on pronouncing Louisville correctly. Not too bad for a Jew and a Yankee, huh?

Until next time...