Southern Values

It not off topic. You just don't want to talk about it.

 

It doesnt require that at all, sir and m'am are just words. People often use manners politeness to mask contempt and indifference. Which seems like something anyone thats watched a show or read a novel about nobles and the elite would know.

 

Kindness to neighbors is a small town thing, born of necessity. They have needed each other to get by, and that attitude has persisted. I spent a good bit of time in a Midwest small town as a kid, it always stuck with me how great that was.

 

Consider that this thread started out with the claim that Southerners essentially have superior values to other places, perhaps a more humble attitude would engender less criticism. If people go around claiming they are better or doing it right, I think its fair to point out things that are lacking.

 

The thread is titled Southern Values. Do those values actually mean anything? How do they affect actual outcomes in the south?

 

Yeah, I seem to read or hear many Southerners who seem to only compare and contrast Southern culture (which may really be Southeastern culture) with Northern culture (probably more specifically Northeast culture). Maybe that happens in both directions given the Civil War and negative stereotypes on both sides. Seems odd to omit the West, Southwest, and Midwest from such discussions as if they don't exist or aren't relevant. I've always considered the reputation of Midwesterners to be close to Canadians in terms of their manners and politeness.

 

River gator. I see you don't get out much! When you do you keep the wrong company! Sad indeed !!!

 

It's pretty funny how butt hurt he's getting when valid questions about the south, things that can actually be measured quantitatively, are brought up. Much easier to talk about these abstract values the south supposedly has over other places.

 

Wait, are you from Missouri?

Maybe part of it? What I've read is that it was historically considered part of the South but stayed with the Union in the Civil War. I've never considered Harry Truman to have been a Southern President. The U.S. Census identifies it as part of the Midwest. Plus, they pronounce their own name funny. So I'm leaning to Midwest.

 

The very premise of the OP states that there are "Southern Values" that we'd all do well to adopt.

I disagreed already and stated why. Southern "hospitality" is certainly a thing (welcoming, kindness, being hospitable) but it's preposterous to think Southerners have the market cornered on values like being neighborly, treating one another with respect, and timeliness/respecting each other's time.

I've lived (for decades) in both the North and the South and it's just not accurate to claim this.

There are loud, rude a-holes up North and there are loud, rude a-holes in the South (rolling coal anybody?). Guess what? In the Midwest too! People are people - some are neighborly, some are not. Some are respectful, some are not. Many are amazing in many ways and many are complete and total douchebags. Sorry, I find this whole premise and debate nonsensical. Just more contrived culture war absurdity.