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Suddenly Southern: A Yankee's Guide to Living in Dixie
Moving South? Feeling a little out of place? Craving pizza from home and faking a passion for sweet tea? Not generating much Southern hospitality? Wondering if you'll ever fit in?
Well, honey, here's your complete guide to living in Dixie, providing migrating Yanks with tips on living, eating, greeting, driving, walking, talking, and what food to bring to a funeral. From his 'n' her Southern Hair Dos (and Don'ts) to The A to Z Dixie Dictionary, Suddenly Southern includes everything you need to know about living south of the Mason-Dixon Line,
Well, honey, here's your complete guide to living in Dixie, providing migrating Yanks with tips on living, eating, greeting, driving, walking, talking, and what food to bring to a funeral. From his 'n' her Southern Hair Dos (and Don'ts) to The A to Z Dixie Dictionary, Suddenly Southern includes everything you need to know about living south of the Mason-Dixon Line,
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 29, 2020
I found this a funny and quick read. Yes, there were some stereotypes but I want to believe they were tongue-in cheek as this is humor.
Ch. 10-Moving South: The Twelve-Step Program does attempt to offer some real world advice. I myself have relocated many, many times & sometimes to less than friendly places and the author gives practical advice on smoothing the transition, from the authors own kicking- and screamin' relocation experiences.
Ch. 10-Moving South: The Twelve-Step Program does attempt to offer some real world advice. I myself have relocated many, many times & sometimes to less than friendly places and the author gives practical advice on smoothing the transition, from the authors own kicking- and screamin' relocation experiences.
July 7, 2020
Dripping with condescension, startlingly white-washed, and downright irreverent.
The author, as a white woman, writes all about Southern culture without stopping for even a second to acknowledge that there is more to the South than just white culture. Which is quite telling.
The author moved 3 feet south of the Mason-Dixon line for 3 years and purports to write a primer on the entire South. She apparently overlooks, or lacks the self-awareness to appreciate, that urban Raleigh is not the epitome of the South. Writing about your experience in Raleigh as if one knows the South is like moving to Cleveland, OH and writing a book that describes Indianapolis, New York, Philly, and Boston all at once. Except that those cities might actually be geographically closer than the varied and nuanced swath of land and culture that this author writes about from her city slicking enclave in Raleigh.
The author, as a white woman, writes all about Southern culture without stopping for even a second to acknowledge that there is more to the South than just white culture. Which is quite telling.
The author moved 3 feet south of the Mason-Dixon line for 3 years and purports to write a primer on the entire South. She apparently overlooks, or lacks the self-awareness to appreciate, that urban Raleigh is not the epitome of the South. Writing about your experience in Raleigh as if one knows the South is like moving to Cleveland, OH and writing a book that describes Indianapolis, New York, Philly, and Boston all at once. Except that those cities might actually be geographically closer than the varied and nuanced swath of land and culture that this author writes about from her city slicking enclave in Raleigh.
September 28, 2023
I knew going in this wasn't a "serious" book, but I actually learned a few things. I learned some state mottoes I had never heard, and even though I am Southern through and through, I didn't remember all the battles in the Civil War, so I appreciated the chart.
The only beef I have is when she was listing football teams/chants. Mississippi State fans DO NOT say Hotty Toddy. That is an Ole Miss refrain. MSU fans saw, "GO DAWGS!!" I am a Mississippi girl and I have a son who attended school there, so...I'll bet a lot of MSU/Ole Miss fans were quick to jump on this.
Even though this has a humorous slant, Maureen seems to have got a bead on the South. Except for the Southern weddings. Most Southern weddings are more festive than what she describes, but maybe not as much as the Yankee ones. If you go to a wedding and the reception is only punch and cookies, you can bet the A list is getting down somewhere else later in the day.
Very enjoyable book.
The only beef I have is when she was listing football teams/chants. Mississippi State fans DO NOT say Hotty Toddy. That is an Ole Miss refrain. MSU fans saw, "GO DAWGS!!" I am a Mississippi girl and I have a son who attended school there, so...I'll bet a lot of MSU/Ole Miss fans were quick to jump on this.
Even though this has a humorous slant, Maureen seems to have got a bead on the South. Except for the Southern weddings. Most Southern weddings are more festive than what she describes, but maybe not as much as the Yankee ones. If you go to a wedding and the reception is only punch and cookies, you can bet the A list is getting down somewhere else later in the day.
Very enjoyable book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2017
Very funny and lighthearted. I was able to relate to many things the author wrote about in this book.
November 21, 2019
Ugh. A person from Filthy-delphia lifts a pen to complain.
December 27, 2008
Read this book for a book club discussion. It's written by a woman who moved to Raleigh from Philadelphia because her husband was transferred here. It has its moments of being funny. I loved the southern weddings part. I could relate to some of it, but I actually find southerns extremely friendly and polite. Coming from south Florida where rudeness is an art form, I'm enjoying my life here. Whether they accept me or not, at least they are polite and friendly about it.
April 10, 2014
Very disappointing. Thought it might lend some real insight into the wonderful culture of the south. Not so. It was a package of stereotypes. Not worth it.
July 22, 2014
funny
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews