We asked Northerners to describe every Southern state using only one word
Describe Alabama: ‘Reese Witherspoon’
“So have you become a barbecue expert?” Such a question was recently posed by a close family friend upon my return home to Connecticut following my second year at a university in North Carolina.
Somewhat perplexed by the question, having taken courses in English, Science and Math, the last subject I had perhaps mastered was barbecue. And yet, to this typical Northerner, having spent little time in the South, drawing from country songs and classic movies, the South was a place of barbecue ribs, cornbread and collard greens.
Having spent the last two years in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, though perhaps not the most “Southern” state, I have to admit that beyond the slight change in accent, warmer weather and sweeter tea, I have not noticed a drastic difference between the Northern and Southern regions of our country.
With that said, out of pure curiosity, I wanted to explore my fellow Northerners’ perception of the states below the Mason-Dixon.
Mike, 21, Massachusetts
The South: “Texas”
Southern food: “Barbecue”
Southern people: “Cowboys”
Tennessee: “Oh gosh, I don’t know – what is in Tennessee?”
Mississippi: “River”
Alabama: “James” (apparently a friend from college)
Florida: “Miami”
North Carolina: “South Carolina”
Hannah, 20, Connecticut
The South: “Hot”
Southern food: “Grits”
Southern people: “Accents”
Tennessee: “Country”
Mississippi: “New Orleans”
Alabama: “Pick-up truck”
Florida: “Sun”
North Carolina: “Colleges”
Nick, 21, New York
The South: “NASCAR”
Southern food: “Fried Chicken”
Southern people: “Rednecks”
Tennessee: “Music”
Mississippi: “River”
Alabama: “The Song“ (I’m assuming Sweet Home Alabama)
Florida: “Vacation”
North Carolina: “Carolina Panthers”
George, 83, New Jersey
The South: “Hospitality”
Southern food: “Bacon and grits”
Southern people: “Friendly”
Tennessee: “Opery Land”
Mississippi: “River”
Alabama: “Crimson Tide”
Florida: “Marco Island”
North Carolina: “Myrtle Beach”
Taylor, 24, Massachusetts
The South: “Fried chicken”
Southern food: “Whiskey”
Southern people: “Paula Deen”
Tennessee: “Vanderbilt”
Mississippi: “River”
Alabama: “Reese Witherspoon”
Florida: “Grandparents”
North Carolina: “Mountains”
Though it is my hope that whether you are a Northerner or a Southerner, the above answers made you giggle or at least crack a smile. I will admit that I found myself slightly disappointed at the end of my inquiry. Though I cannot attest to the reality of certain Southern states listed such as Alabama or Mississippi, I can guarantee North Carolina offers experiences and must-see destinations far beyond that of the “Carolina Panthers.”
While it was my perhaps unrealistic hope that this game would bring about conversation or deeper meaning regarding the South, it seems as though many of the classic Southern stereotypes have prevailed.