Y'all and such...

Of all the southern phrases, nothing quite stands out like "Y'all"...  In the south, or even Florida, "Y'all" is ubiquitous.  Y'all this, Y'all that...Y'all everything, except for "Y'all come back now, ya hear?"  I have not heard that phrase once since I have been here, which tells me that either I am holding on to a charming little Southern gem that is not real, or no one actually wants me to return.

I heard Y'all this morning at breakfast, and I realized - I am getting used to this word. When I first moved here, I would cringe at the word, I hope only internally.  Maybe externally, I can't be sure.  But today, I heard the waitress say it, and I did not cringe, on the inside or the outside - I am pretty sure.  That is when I realized I think I am getting used to it.  

I wondered then - what else am I getting used to, vs what will I never get used to... Here we go... 

I am getting used to:

• Not having to say "no lemon" when ordering a diet coke.  This is because they never do it, and when I first said "no lemon", they looked at me like I had 4 heads... Why on earth would I bring you a lemon?  
• Y'all... I mean, hearing it, not saying it.... I have not uttered it, and if I do, I want any of you to slap me.
• A seemingly disproportionate ratio of pick up trucks to cars... odd.... 
• Seeing Fried Green Tomatoes on the menu EVERYWHERE!!  And discerning the difference between the good and the bad versions!
• Coke is it, Pepsi is not it at all...
• All wonderful things breaded and fried... Taking terrible sounding things and turning them into a paradise for your mouth, like Fried Okra!
• Avoiding Italian restaurants, even though they are called NY Style... They are not...
• Generally accepting that all food will be what it is - a weaker version of the really good food in NJ and NY.... I am learning that it is good - for here... That is how I accept it now... "It is good pizza! (for here)... Lowered expectations eases a lot of suffering... 

I do not expect to get used to:

• Boiled peanuts... Not going to be used to seeing the signs for them along the sides of the road, nor will I get used to what they look like - little baby alien pods... Creepy and gross!
• Barbecue not meaning "to have a BBQ" which means grilling burgers and hot dogs
• Confederate flags just being everywhere... and places that make little sense, why pay homage to something with a flag lining the wall of a closet??
• Country music everywhere... Everywhere... Classic country, new country, rock/country.... it is omg, everywhere....
• Having to look at OJ containers to make sure it is really from Florida... how is it possible OJ is sold here that is not made here??  
• Southern hospitality being a concept, rather than a real thing... I have met some very kind people, but for the most part, crappy service is alive and well in the south
• People working at glacial paces in places like, oh I dunno, "fast" food restaurants???
• Peanuts and coke as a snack... Literally nuts in the coke... 
• The phrase "Hey, Y'all!"  A brighter and cheerier version of Y'all, it just sounds like an overzealous cheerleader gone haywire... No, uh-uh... 

And there ya have it, more fun from the mind of a northern girl living in the strange and wonderful south...  Life is always fun, and rarely what I expect!

Thank you so much for reading and sharing!