So Mabel and I are staying at Ross’ place for a couple of days. I’ve been exploring Memphis recently. I really do love finding things that were in plain sight that I’ve never noticed before. There is a bit of naughty in Memphis, which I’m rather enjoying. What I mean, I guess, is that I’m finding out different social mores about this state that I didn’t know.
Southerners are a polite lot of people until you piss them off. We say things like “Bless your heart” when we really mean something else like “Dumb decision, Bubba” or “I love her/him but …” There is a level of etiquette that you see in Nashville or even in Hoots Proper where you have to say something nice right before you say something negative. I shouldn’t be giving the secrets of being a southerner away but … you know what I’m talking about.
What I’m finding in Memphis, because I’m doing the same thing here I do at home and that’s just talk to people that I don’t know, yes, there is a level of polite but I’m finding that Memphians also will take their bullshitometer out and hit you in the head with it if they think it is necessary. I think Nashville, in some ways, uses their polite “voices” more than Memphians do. And Hoots, well that’s a whole other can of Spam but Memphis folks tend to just call it when they see it.
And they do it with a grin.
I find that to be refreshing.
I have heard family members say they love another family member they just don’t like them. In other words I “love” you because I have to, but for the most part would rather not be around you all that often.
My Mom must have orig. been from Memphis… when I was a teen her most used phrase was “I love you but I sure don’t like you very much right now”.
Our politics in Memphis are a bit harsher because of economic and racial polarization.
Gah! I’ve been saying that a LOT to my son here lately.
Rather than a comment on the topic I’ll share an anecdote from my Mom’s side of the family:
We have a female family member and, bless her heart, she’s a bit on the loose side – always has been.
In the presence of my great-aunt a few years back, someone said “She’s just a whore” to which my great-aunt replied “well, she might be a whore, but she’s OUR whore”.
Are you saying we got some kinda attitude or somethin’ here?
It’s more like a jaunty swagger. I really dig it.