Descriptive Essay on a Southern Lifestyle free essay sample

What is a southern lifestyle? Some may say that southern is a stereotype, but I like to think of it as more of a way of life. It is important that people from the south know exactly what it means to really be southern so that it ends being a stereotype. The southern lifestyle ranges from everyday manners, men being gentlemen, women acting like ladies, southern families, and most of all being southern about it all. Some people may associate the word southern with redneck or hillbilly. When people associate the words together then they are uneducated. Being southern is something to be proud about. When southern children are growing up they are taught what to and what not to do. They learn how to treat others from piers to the elderly. While growing up the children play outside in the woods, creeks, and mud instead of sitting inside watching the television. We will write a custom essay sample on Descriptive Essay on a Southern Lifestyle or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is really a great thing to grow up in the south with a great family. â€Å"Growing up Southern is a privilege, really. It’s more than where you’re born, it’s an idea and state of mind that seems imparted at birth. It’s more than loving fried chicken, sweet tea, football, and country music. It’s being hospitable, devoted to front porches, magnolias, moon pies and coca-cola and each other. We don’t become Southern we’re born that way (sotypicallyme. com)†. Southern people are very hospitable. They know what is right from what is wrong. They put their napkins in their laps. They respect everyone, especially their elders. They make everyone feel welcome. If they have new neighbors they take them baked goods. Southern people were taught very well by their parents and their grandparents, which their lessons have been passed down through many generations. Being southern is a great thing and something to be proud of weather you are a girl or a guy. In the south girls are southern belles, proud to have learned from her mother and grandmother. She knows how to use her manners by saying, â€Å"ma’am† and â€Å"sir†, â€Å"excuse me† and â€Å"thank you†. She knows how to cook and even if she does not know how to she can buy something and pretend like she does. She knows to always have a gallon of sweet tea made for her family and unexpected guest. A true southern belle does not care about money as much as she cares about family traditions. She knows that her education is very important from graduating high school and getting a diploma from college to make her family proud. Most importantly she knows that her family means everything. The men in the south act like gentlemen. They treat women with manners by opening doors and pulling out chairs, as well as being respectful to them. A southern gentleman is a hardworking man. He works hard for his family, so that they can be proud of him, and he can provide for them. The southern man is also very confident in himself. Southern gentlemen are very family oriented. Southern people are very family oriented. They have big gatherings for holidays, as well as having a family dinner every night. The southern family is typically very lively. They like to gather outside on the front porch telling old stories. When dinner begins the finest manners come out. Before dinner blessing is said. After the old southern traditions men go first, followed by the children, and then the women. The men will pull out the chairs for the women. When sitting down the napkin goes into the lap. Maw maw always said â€Å"No elbows on the table†. Once the dinner is done the women clean the kitchen while the men go outside or watch a football game. If it is warm outside then everyone will gather on the front porch and tell old stories, some about southern love. Southern love is very romantic. Then man picks her up and takes the girl on a date. He opens doors for her and pulls out her chair. He holds her hand to make her feel safe. If she is having a bad day then he will do anything to make her happy, as would she. He tells her that she is beautiful when she has no makeup on. The song, â€Å"she’s everything† by Brad paisley is a great example of southern love, â€Å"And she’s everything I ever wanted And everything I need I talk about her, I go on and on and on ‘Cause she’s everything to me†. When they have a family together they support each other through everything. Most of all they love each other with all they have. Being southern is a great way of life. It is my way of life. I would not change it for a thing. We know how to be polite. We grew up good, surrounded by a great support system, our families. We learned many lessons from them. We learned how to act right and be hospitable. The southern lifestyle is one of the greatest lifestyles out there.