Cultural Differences Between North And South

Northerners and Southerners are typically known for their differences and stereotypes, but it’s their similarities that bring them together to make up the USA. They have been stereotyping one another since way back in the early 1800’s; in fact, they have literally been through a war against one another. However, times have changed, but a majority of these stereotypes still exist today and probably always will. Of course, the North and the South make up the majority of the United States, but ever since April 12, 1861, there has been an imaginary line that separate the two. That line is known as the Mason Dixon Line. Even though the Civil War ended 150 years ago, it still seems like both sides never got entirely rid of the animosity they felt

towards one another. Southerners are typically thought to be unintelligent, slow to walk and talk, view wealth on how much land they own, have a “Southern drawl,” and are often considered kind and possessing something called “Southern hospitality.” On the other hand, Northerners are generally thought to be more intelligent, loud and rude, fast-moving, view wealth on a business level, and self-centered. Obviously, Northerners and Southerners have numerous differences, but their similarities in manners, family, and pride, are what makes them both one, big American family.
To begin with, it is widely accepted that people from the South are very friendly and polite, and we know that a lot of people consider Northerners to be impolite, unfriendly, and downright rude.

However, people in the North really do have good manners, even though they have different standards than those of the South. With so many major cities, the hustle and bustle mindset is very common up North. In the South, someone that has long conversations with total strangers, opens and holds the door for the next person behind them walking in, responds by either saying, “Yes sir,” or “No sir,” or even, “Yes ma’am,” or “No ma’am,” in every conversation are all perfectly normal and genuinely typical behavior. In the North, semi-smiles or head nods as people pass each other in the street is perfectly passable as polite behavior. Therefore, they both truly do have manners and hospitality. It is just viewed differently because of their culture, ethics, or

morals.
Secondly, folks of the North and South often have big differences in structure when it comes to their families.

For instance, Northerners are typically more narrowly structured when it comes to family; as in, their family circle mostly consist of the mother, father, and child or children. On the other hand, Southerners have a broader frame when it comes to their loved ones. Folks in the South tend to fill their circle to the max. They will try and fit in the mother, father, child or children, uncles, aunts, grand-parents, cousins, 2nd cousins, their friends, and they may even try and squeeze in their pet. Nevertheless, in the end, I’ve learned in my time spent attending college in the North and growing up in the South, family is the backbone that both Northerners and Southerners are built on. Their families are like a sanctuary. They turn to their family for love, support and strength. Northerners and Southerners both take comfort in knowing that their families stand behind them no matter what life throws their ways. Family is key for both of them, and their love for family helps them strive to be better and want more out of life. Their relationship with their families are genuinely what builds them or breaks them, both as individuals and as a

whole.
Lastly, pride is obviously a given when discussing football with a Southerner, and the same can be said about a Northerner. However, Southerners and Northerners don’t only have pride in football, but in their way of life; along with where they came from, and where they lay their heads at night. Northerners are often thought to take most of their pride in economics, their wealth, and even their fashion. On the contrary, Southerners are more thought of to take more pride in family, their history, heritage, and even their land. Neither the North’s or South’s pride is lessened by the memories and stories of past war or by the views of battlefields, cemeteries, and memorial statues, but rather, these ignite and inspire their pride. Furthermore, Northerners’ and Southerners’ both take pride in dignity, self-worth, pleasure, happiness, and honor. In a like manner, both Southerners and Northerners have pride in their families, careers, sports, history, and in their present way of life, and they both show this pride on a daily basis.

In conclusion, Northerners get a bad reputation for rude manners and not caring, but that’s not the end of the story. What I think is that people in the North are more focused on economics because they pride themselves in economics, it is demanded from them, and it is part of their culture there. It is not that they do not care, but rather, it is as if they have been trained not to unless it personally affects them. We, as Southerners, are perplexed by the idea of going somewhere and not knowing someone. Northerners can do this every day, especially in a city like New York due to its enormous population. Northerners are also stereotyped to not care much for family; however, every Northerner I’ve ever met always spoke lovingly about their families. Northerners, in my opinion, are more independent than folks in the South. They are also okay with the fact of leaving home to go far away for school or business. Southerners, on the other hand, feel as though it is too hard to leave their small towns that are filled with hospitality and love. Pride goes a long way with both parties also. It’s not unheard of to hear about Northern or Southern Pride. Yes, their pride may be different due to culture or ethics, but they both show their pride each and every day in some form or fashion. All in all, Northerners and Southerners may be mainly recognized by their differences, but overall, they truly are similar in several ways. To me, they are like Coke and whiskey. They have two different tastes, but once they are put together, you get something great. In this case, it’s the USA.