Alabama

I'm still not sure whether I love or hate this place. But 18+ years living here makes it seem like home, despite myself. I know, for instance:

1) That Alabama women are programmed to go crazy when Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl" or AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long" come on, and to swoon when Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" comes on, and everyone goes nuts when "Sweet Home Alabama" comes on. It's true.

2) How to crack peanuts with my bare hands and eat them from the shell.

3) That 100 degrees is a "mild day."

4) The difference in 4-5 different dialects, from "Chisolm/Slapout" to "Old Montgomery" and what socioeconomic stratas they represent.

5) That every kind of soft drink is a "Coke." I know, a Pepsi isn't a Coke. Doesn't matter.

6) That the manners that were liable to offend progressive women up North are expected down here.

7) That whiskey makes Southern men expansive and ready to raise the South again.

Comments

[Erin M.]

I'm reading through all the posts I've missed, but I wanted to say:

"Can I have a Coke?"

"Sure sweetie, what kind?"

"Uh... Sprite, please."

"All-righty!"

It's the same in Union Co. NC:)